Jimi Hendrix's Drummer, Mitch Mitchell, Dies at 61 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 11-12-2008, 06:04 PM

Link

Mitch Mitchell, the hall-of-fame drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, widely considered the legendary Seattle guitarist's most important musical collaborator, was found dead this morning in his Portland hotel room.

Mitchell, 61, who played with Hendrix at the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival and helped shape such songs as "Voodoo Child" and "Purple Haze," apparently died of natural causes, the Multnomah County Medical Examiner said. Mitchell was found dead at appoximately 3 a.m. in his room at the Benson Hotel in downtown Portland.

Sgt. Brian Schmautz, a Portland police spokesman, said an employee at the upscale hotel called police after discovering Mitchell's body. "It was natural causes," Schmautz said, "so we weren't involved beyond that."

Calls to the Benson for further information have not been returned.

An examination to determine an exact cause of death is scheduled for later this afternoon, officials said.

Mitchell was touring with the Experience Hendrix Tour, which appeared on Nov. 7 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, the last stop on a West Coast portion of the tour.

Mitchell pioneered a lead style of drumming which would later become known as fusion, allowing him and Hendrix to feed off each other in concert. The pair also recorded several tracks on their own before bringing in bassist Noel Redding to finish the songs. Redding died at the age of 57 in 2003. Hendrix died after a drug overdose in 1970.

Mitchell was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1993. According to Eddie Kramer's book "Hendrix: Setting the Record Straight," Hendrix's manager relegated both Mitchell and Redding to the status of paid employees. They had limited ownership in future revenues and song rights. In the 1970's, according to the book, Mitchell was forced to sell a prized Hendrix guitar. Later, he reportedly sold his small legal claim to future Hendrix record sales for about $200,000.

MonarC · 11-12-2008, 06:23 PM

He was one of the best drummers in Rock N Roll history. RIP.

TripperFan · 11-12-2008, 06:40 PM

Agreed MonarC

We figured anyone who could keep up with Hendrix had to be fantastic.

So sad. And you start to feel so old when the guys in the bands you loved start dying like they have been (Pink Floyd, etc.).

Rest in Peace Mitch......I can just picture the jam you're having now with your old buddy Jimi.

(see my sig below ~ )

MickeyMac · 11-12-2008, 07:22 PM

The Experience is really together now

catlover79 · 11-12-2008, 07:35 PM

Ohio8 · 11-12-2008, 10:43 PM

"Play on, drummer." -- Jimi Hendrix

BarneyFife · 11-12-2008, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

The Experience is really together now

Yep, they're probably playing together right now in heaven.

TripperFan · 11-12-2008, 11:10 PM

Funny - I just reread the article and they refer to the song as "Voodoo Child". It actually wasn't - it was stylized as "Voodoo Chile".

Just wanted to correct that.

ABlairican Pie · 11-13-2008, 01:44 AM

This is very sad. He wasn't even really that old. Sad that there are no surviving members of the Experience. My birthday is on Thanksgiving, same birthday as Jimi's, I should crank up some Jimi in his honor.

Yeah, the song "Voodoo Chile" that everyone hears on the radio is actually the "Slight Return" sequel, the other one is live (with Steve Winwood on keyboards), on the Electric Ladyland album. Dang, it must have been totally cool in the 60's.

TripperFan · 11-13-2008, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

Yeah, the song "Voodoo Chile" that everyone hears on the radio is actually the "Slight Return" sequel, the other one is live (with Steve Winwood on keyboards), on the Electric Ladyland album. Dang, it must have been totally cool in the 60's.

You never hear the full Voodoo Chile. The only time was a special request weekend on Q-107 that you could request rarely played songs and they did that one. I was in heaven.

I know eh? The talent was incredible. And way more chances of seeing live bands in small clubs too.

Makes me sick that almost everything has gone to a "DJ" - and they have the nerve to still charge a heavy cover charge for that!

MonarC · 11-13-2008, 09:21 AM

In honor of Jimi & Mitch

Jimi Hendrix & Mitch Mitchell acoustic jam *VERY RARE*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah-SLuwkKik

Purffin · 11-17-2008, 03:40 PM

Cool jam thanks MonarC.
Mitchell was a great drummer.
The Experience will continue on forever with its many fans.

MrRetro_08 · 11-17-2008, 05:30 PM

That's a shame. This means that all the members of the Jimi Hendrix Experience are now dead.

11-12-2008, 06:04 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,425	Jimi Hendrix's Drummer, Mitch Mitchell, Dies at 61 Link Mitch Mitchell, the hall-of-fame drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, widely considered the legendary Seattle guitarist's most important musical collaborator, was found dead this morning in his Portland hotel room. Mitchell, 61, who played with Hendrix at the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival and helped shape such songs as "Voodoo Child" and "Purple Haze," apparently died of natural causes, the Multnomah County Medical Examiner said. Mitchell was found dead at appoximately 3 a.m. in his room at the Benson Hotel in downtown Portland. Sgt. Brian Schmautz, a Portland police spokesman, said an employee at the upscale hotel called police after discovering Mitchell's body. "It was natural causes," Schmautz said, "so we weren't involved beyond that." Calls to the Benson for further information have not been returned. An examination to determine an exact cause of death is scheduled for later this afternoon, officials said. Mitchell was touring with the Experience Hendrix Tour, which appeared on Nov. 7 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, the last stop on a West Coast portion of the tour. Mitchell pioneered a lead style of drumming which would later become known as fusion, allowing him and Hendrix to feed off each other in concert. The pair also recorded several tracks on their own before bringing in bassist Noel Redding to finish the songs. Redding died at the age of 57 in 2003. Hendrix died after a drug overdose in 1970. Mitchell was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1993. According to Eddie Kramer's book "Hendrix: Setting the Record Straight," Hendrix's manager relegated both Mitchell and Redding to the status of paid employees. They had limited ownership in future revenues and song rights. In the 1970's, according to the book, Mitchell was forced to sell a prized Hendrix guitar. Later, he reportedly sold his small legal claim to future Hendrix record sales for about $200,000.
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11-12-2008, 06:40 PM	#3
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Agreed MonarC We figured anyone who could keep up with Hendrix had to be fantastic. So sad. And you start to feel so old when the guys in the bands you loved start dying like they have been (Pink Floyd, etc.). Rest in Peace Mitch......I can just picture the jam you're having now with your old buddy Jimi. (see my sig below ~ )
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

11-12-2008, 07:35 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392
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11-12-2008, 10:43 PM	#6
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,966	"Play on, drummer." -- Jimi Hendrix Attached Images

11-13-2008, 01:44 AM	#9
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	This is very sad. He wasn't even really that old. Sad that there are no surviving members of the Experience. My birthday is on Thanksgiving, same birthday as Jimi's, I should crank up some Jimi in his honor. Yeah, the song "Voodoo Chile" that everyone hears on the radio is actually the "Slight Return" sequel, the other one is live (with Steve Winwood on keyboards), on the Electric Ladyland album. Dang, it must have been totally cool in the 60's.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

11-12-2008, 06:23 PM	#2
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	He was one of the best drummers in Rock N Roll history. RIP.

11-12-2008, 07:22 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	The Experience is really together now

11-12-2008, 11:10 PM	#8
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Funny - I just reread the article and they refer to the song as "Voodoo Child". It actually wasn't - it was stylized as "Voodoo Chile". Just wanted to correct that.

11-13-2008, 09:21 AM	#11
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	In honor of Jimi & Mitch Jimi Hendrix & Mitch Mitchell acoustic jam VERY RARE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah-SLuwkKik

11-17-2008, 03:40 PM	#12
Purffin Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 25, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 315	Cool jam thanks MonarC. Mitchell was a great drummer. The Experience will continue on forever with its many fans.
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11-17-2008, 05:30 PM	#13
MrRetro_08 T'ank you veddy much! Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 19, 2007 Location: A Place Far Away Posts: 823	That's a shame. This means that all the members of the Jimi Hendrix Experience are now dead.
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