Just after completing a tour with the Experience Hendrix project, legendary drummer Mitch Mitchell passed away in Portland, OR, apparently from natural causes. Mitchell, 62, was found dead on Wednesday in a Portland hotel room. He was spending some time in the city before returning to his native England, having just finished the Experience Hendrix tour in Portland on November 7.
“We’re all devastated to hear of Mitch’s passing,” said Experience Hendrix CEO Janie Hendrix (Jimi’s sister) in a statement. “He was a wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend. His role in shaping the sound of the Jimi Hendrix Experience cannot be underestimated. Over the course of the recent tour, he seemed delighted with the interchange with the other musicians and the audiences. There is no question that he was doing what he loved.”
Mitchell rose to fame when he and bassist Noel Redding rounded out the Jimi Hendrix Experience from 1966 until 1969. He drummed on all three Experience albums � Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland � as well as playing legendary performances at the Isle of Wight and Woodstock festivals. Mitchell also played in the Dirty Mac with John Lennon and played some gigs with Jeff Beck, as well as doing session work.
Mitchell was the last surviving member of the original Jimi Hendrix Experience. He is survived by his mother, his wife, a daughter and two grandchildren.
