Godspeed Mitch.
Posted on 11/12/2008 10:12:44 PM PST by the scotsman
'Mitch Mitchell, the British drummer in the seminal 1960s band the Jimi Hendrix Experience, has been found dead in his US hotel room, authorities say.
The 61-year-old was discovered in the Benson Hotel in Portland, Oregon, in the early hours of Wednesday.
A medical examiner told Associated Press news agency the death appeared to be from natural causes but that there would be an autopsy.
Hendrix died in 1970 and the band's bassist Noel Redding died in 2003.
Londoner Mitchell had been touring with the Experience Hendrix Tour.'
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Natural to a rock star means mucho sh*t.
Too bad. He leaves behind some good music.
RIP
He played Gretch drums with Hendrix.
Listening to Axis Bold As Love right now...
I’ve frankly not thought much about who was drumming for Jimi. Now that I do, that guy was darn good. “Fire” and “Crosstown Traffic” are what stick out in my mind.
RIP.
” He played Gretch drums with Hendrix. “
I know he played Premier in the beginning , and then switched to the ubiquitous Ludwig . If you have seen him with Gretsch ( which I dig and own ) , it must have been a kit that was provided to him .
I just got through listening to the first two albums . The first fusion drummer ? He loved Elvin and Max .
I got to see tham at Atlanta Pop, Hemisfair arena in San Antonio, and at least one other time during my hippie daze. (That would be after my honorable discharge.)
Jimi was obviously fonder of him than Noel.
And so castles made of sand fall in the sea, eventually.
Godspeed Mitch and my gratitude to all of the band for the unforgettable music.
I would have sworn I saw a photo of Mitchell on Gretsch kit somewhere.
Actually , Charlie started out on Ludwig and switched to Gretsch ( out of his love for jazz ) in the late 60’s . With all his millions , he still plays an old 50’s kit on Stones’ tours .
You were right ! I found this info :
In 1969 he moved to a Ludwig double bass kit with 24” bass drums and additional 12x8” top tom, then the same setup on Gretsch (possibly Ludwig sponsorship in Europe and Gretsch in USA). The double kit didn’t change his style, it just added some tonal variety. Sticks were medium/heavy and he played seated low in a hunched position.
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