Died On This Date (November 12, 2008) Mitch Mitchell / Drummer For Jimi Hendrix

themusicsover November 12, 2009 2 Comments

John “Mitch” Mitchell
July 9, 1947 – November 12, 2008

Mitch Mitchell is best remembered as the drummer in the Jimi Hendrix Experience.  Coming from a jazz background, Mitchell was also credited for being one of the pioneers of jazz fusion. Prior to his work with Hendrix, Mitchell lived in London and did session work for such ’60s rock acts as the Pretty Things, Georgie Fame, and the Riot Squad.  He hooked up with Hendrix in 1966 and played on all three legendary Experience albums,  Axis: Bold as Love, Are You Experienced?, and Electric Ladyland.  He also backed Hendrix at Woodstock.  Although he was officially out of Hendrix’s band by 1969, Mitchell can still be heard playing on his posthumous releases of the early ’70s.   Through the ’80s and ’90s, Mitchell stayed fairly active performing with other musicians and doing session work.  Just before his passing, Mitchell participated in a Hendrix tribute tour alongside the likes of David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Eric Johnson.  In less than a week after the tour ended, Mitch Mitchell, 62, died of natural causes in his sleep.

Thanks to Stephen Brower for the assist.

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