Hendrix Bassist Noel Redding Dies

Entertainment - E! Online via Yahoo News ^ | 5/12/03 | Marcus Errico

[eddie willers]

Hendrix Bassist Noel Redding Dies

By Marcus Errico

Noel Redding , has died.

The bassist passed away Sunday at his home in County Cork, Ireland, according to his manager, Ian Grant. Grant made the announcement on a message board for , Redding's label.

"I can't yet take it in that, once more, I am sitting at my desk bringing sad news. Noel passed away," Grant wrote.

The cause of death was not immediately known. Redding was 57.

His death reportedly comes just a week after his mother's.

Originally a guitarist, Redding converted to bass when he joined with Hendrix and drummer Mitch Mitchell to form the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1966. Redding played bass on all three of the group's landmark albums, Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland. The power trio split in 1969, a year before Hendrix died.

Redding was enshrined with Hendrix and Mitchell in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

Known for his only-in-the-'60s look (towering 'fro that rivaled Jimi's, granny glasses, dashiki), Redding was later embittered by his Experience days. He signed away his royalty rights in 1974, allegedly to pay an outstanding legal bill, for a one-off payment of $100,000. Redding claimed he agreed to the sum after being promised there would be no more reissues of the Experience material. Of course, that was before CDs and DVDs and the endless repackaging of the band's songs by Hendrix's estate.

"I should have been a plumber. That's a joke. But the thing is, plumbers get paid," he told Billboard.com last year. "But there again, I'm still playing, thank God. That's the main thing." Redding said he was even forced to sell the bass he used to record with the Experience to get by.

In February, Grant vowed to file a lawsuit on Redding's behalf demanding some $5 million from the Hendrix estate. It's not immediately clear whether that legal action will go forward.

There was no immediate comment Monday on Redding's death from Experience Hendrix, the company that controls the Hendrix empire.

After his Experience experience, Redding played guitar with Fat Mattress and later with Road and the Noel Redding Band.

In 1996, he outlined his rock 'n' roll woes in his autobiography, Are You Experienced?. A compilation CD of two Noel Redding Band albums, Clonakilty Cowboys and Blowin', was reissued in 2000 on One Way Records. His most recent release, a concert set titled Live from Bunkr--Prague, was released by Grant's Track Records last year.

Redding is survived by his longtime companion, Deborah McNaughton. She released a brief statement to Billboard.com calling Redding an "extremely gentle and gracious soul. He had a kind of chivalry and nobility about him and he was kind to everyone bar none, people and animals alike."

[eddie willers]

I rode up in the same "Jules Verne" elevator at the Regency Hyatt House with him after they played a matinee show at the old Municipal Auditorium in downtown Atlanta.

RIP Noel, you gave me quite an Experience.

[eddie willers]

Sad ping.

[Yeti]

He was really GOOD, and as the bassist, he made the MUSIC behind Hendrix's solos. He made a huge mark on us all, even if he doesn't get the credit he deserves for it behind the Hendrix name.We're out one more talented and versatile musician.

Thanks for your contribution, Noel Redding. I owe you.

[weegee]

He was another musician (along with Nicky Hopkins and Jimmy Page and I think Jeff Beck) who was discovered by Screaming Lord Sutch. Lord Sutch passed away in 1999 (suicide) 2 months before I was to see him play a festival).

[eddie willers]

I was listening to a "Live at the BBC" last weekend on XM Radio. He and Mitch Mitchell most definately held their own and the covers they were doing (such as "Hounddog") were unbelievable.

That no other work Jimi did approached "The Big Three" albums, shows their cohesion and musicianship. They were much more than sidemen.

[eddie willers]

LOL....I remember that album.

I am so glad to see you here....
I was racking my brains trying to remember your screen name from other "music" threads in hopes to ping you.

[hole_n_one]

Not exactly related, but, this seemed like an appropriate thread for this.......

A CAT scan image of a 1961 Gretsch 6120 guitar is shown at Scottsdale Medical Imaging Ltd., Monday, May 12, 2003, in Scottsdale, Ariz. A CAT scan was performed on the guitar, owned by The Gretsch Company, in order to determine how the instrument's bracing was assembled. The Gretsch model 6120 was made with unique bracing from 1959-1961 but was discontinued for no apparent reason. Legendary rockabilly guitarist Brian Setzer requested the reintroduction of the bracing for his Gretsch signature series 6120 guitar, which prompted the CAT scan rather than disassembling the guitar to study how it was built. (AP Photo/Matt York)

[Yeti]

He and Mitch were both very articulate with their instruments. I don't know if the group could have stood another instrument live, the sound might have gotten too busy.

[HassanBenSobar]

I'm probably the only Freeper who still owns a copy of 'Blowin' on vinyl. Sad to see old Noel go. As Jimi might have sung....

'a broom is drearily sweeping

up the broken pieces, of yesterday's life...'

[hole_n_one]

[RightOnline]

Hendrix was good...........but on those albums, he would have sounded almost pedestrian if it hadn't been for that killer rhythm section of his.

RIP, Mr. Redding.

[eddie willers]

I don't know if the group could have stood another instrument live, the sound might have gotten too busy.

Nope....
They and Cream had just the right amount of members.

[Yeti]

the covers they were doing (such as "Hounddog") were unbelievable

I used to have tablature that compared and contrasted different bands' covers of Johnny B. Goode. Hendrix did it in B(as I recall) for some reason. The song was in G. Anyway, it was The Experience and it was a very rocked-up psycheldelic version.

I don't know why, but Crosstown Traffic is one of my favorites that nobody else seems to think much of. I think it is really well-stylized, even though it lacks the trademark Hendrix guitar flash. And I think that song's styling was a precursor to alot of early seventies music.

I'm by no means a musicologist, and there may have been others before that one.

[eddie willers]

I was amazed at how these little, skinny, pale British cats could just POUND it out in perfect time with a guy going crazy on guitar.

[eddie willers]

He absolutely owns Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower."

(So good that maybe "Crosstown Traffic" was overshadowed by it and "Voodoo Child")

[MadJack]

The break-up of the Experience came too soon. Noel's replacement...Billy Cox, I believe, was good on "Band of Gypsies with Jimi and Buddy Miles, but Noel was still the man.

[1066AD]

He was another musician (along with Nicky Hopkins and Jimmy Page and I think Jeff Beck) who was discovered by Screaming Lord Sutch. Lord Sutch passed away in 1999 (suicide) 2 months before I was to see him play a festival).
Would be interested in a back up reference re. Sutch. IIRC Jeff Beck came out of the Yardbirds .. Hmmm Page out of Mayall. Long time ago. Sutch's involvement a new one on me (which isn't saying much) as I didn't follow the back-office stuff. Thanks

[Prodigal Son]

Damn. Sorry to hear about this. I saw Redding play in a pub in Clonakilty called "The Barras" (sp). Great evening of entertainment... Sad.

[Yeti]

I know, I know. The classics are classics because they are good. And I am not knocking them. Castles Made of Sand, Angel, Watchtower, Wind Cries Mary, etc.... All good, better even.

I just think that Crosstown Traffic was more musically influential than it gets credit for, in a pop-rock, trendsetting arrangement sort of way.

[mylife]

I have "Blowin" and "Clonakilty Cowboys" on vinyl. :^ )

[Vision]

The image of Jimi Hendrix as a peaceful guy is crap.

Read "Electric Ladyland". He and his bodyguards used to beat white women that didn't find him attractive with bricks. It's in there.

[Lancey Howard]

Wow, thanks for that image!
I remember buying that album when I was in high school.
Even now, sometimes, when I see the word 'London' in print, I can't help but sing, "L O N... D O N".
And my voice is nearly as bad as Dave Sutch's, so it works.

[Lancey Howard]

That no other work Jimi did approached "The Big Three" albums, shows their cohesion and musicianship. They were much more than sidemen.

Ya know, the posthumously released 'Hendrix in the West' was very, very good. And Hendrix himself once said that he felt that Woodstock was the best he ever played.

Also, Rainbow Bridge had some nice stuff. (I think I'll listen to Pali Gap right now, as a matter of fact!)

Regards,
LH

[Lancey Howard]

Hendrix was good...........but on those albums, he would have sounded almost pedestrian if it hadn't been for that killer rhythm section of his.

Let's not get carried away, LOL!

[mylife]

[sushiman]

And remember Mitch Mitchell the drummer was only 19 or 20 on that first Hendrix album !

[HassanBenSobar]

uhhh, would you believe, one of only TWO freepers with Blowin' in vinyl...well, in a way, I'm sort of happy to know I'm not the only one! Rock on, Noel, wherever you are.

[mylife]

I feel the same way! Hassan

[going hot]

both Page and Clapton were in the Yardbirds, along with Beck.

Beck went to (John) Mayall, Clapton to Cream, picking up Ginger Baker.Page to Zeppelin, Clapton to Derek and the Dominos. Then there was Stevie Winwood

[cicada]

They and Cream had just the right amount of members.

along with ZZ Top and Rush?

[going hot]

...Continued...who along with clapton and Baker were Blind Faith (forgot the fourth of BF)

[sushiman]

" Beck went to (John) Mayall "

I believe he went solo after leaving the Yardbirds .

[JackelopeBreeder]

Vinyl, 8-track, cassette and CD at one time or another for all of them.

"Are you Experienced" is playing in the background as I type this.

I suddenly feel my age and don't care if the neighbors complain about the volume.

Adios, Noel. The first time I got lucky, your bass line was setting the rhythm; glad it was a long song. I owe you.

[going hot]

-The Jeff Beck Group-

[Mr. Mojo]

Page, Bonham, Beck, Redding, and Hopkins? That is the freakiest band I've ever heard of. (For some reason, I don't remember that album). What year was it released?

[abigkahuna]

Clapton also played with Mayall as well as Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor (who later replaced Brian Jones of the Stones)

[Mr. Mojo]

Then there was Stevie Winwood

..And Winwood to Traffic.

[JackelopeBreeder]

Momma Deuce is the only thing that ever made me tighten my chin strap.

[going hot]

Sure was a lot of S,D,and RR in those days. We rocked on.

[going hot]

M2HB was and is the King. It is my all time favorite.

[Lawgvr1955]

I've got my head out the window, and my feet flat on the ground.

[JackelopeBreeder]

I once made the mistake of standing by the right front fender of an M109 when it uncorked. God treated me to a prolonged Hendrix solo while I was still inflight...

[going hot]

For serious listening (series??) FM tuy hoa was way cool. Goverment provided stereo headphones inside an acoustic helmet with visor to listen to hard rock the likes of henrix, iron butterfly and stones while engaged in low level flight at 120 knots. that's rockin!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

New wallpaper. Thank you. : )

[t4texas]

I was standing next to a mountain . . .

. . . see you in the next world don't be late!

[bobbyd]

You never fail.

[weegee]

An online guide I saw claims it was released in 1970. However those musicians had an earlier history with Mr. Sutch:

Johnny Black in MOJO, obituary page 32, August, 1999

REAL GONE: Screaming Lord Sutch – Loony Institution Britain's longest-serving political party leader and rock'n'roll aristocrat died at home in Harrow, Middlesex, on June 16.

David Edward Sutch was born in Kilburn on November 12, 1940. An only child, he was raised by his mother after his father, a policeman, had been killed by a bomb during the war. Nurturing his love of rock'n'roll at Soho's 21's coffee bar, Sutch adopted his Screaming Lord persona in 1960, founded on the voodoo antics of US star Screamin' Jay Hawkins, but distinctively Anglicised by his early fascinations for Punch and Judy, Max Miller and Jack The Ripper.

Although he never scored a significant, hit, early singles like Big Black Coffin remain highly regarded, and his band, The Savages, were a potent breeding ground for future talent including, at various times, such rock luminaries as Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Nicky Hopkins, Noel Redding, Mitch Mitchell and Matthew Fisher, plus the entertainers Freddie Starr and Paul Nicholas.

[JackelopeBreeder]

FUBAR Phu Bai forever!

You checked out development along that coastline lately? I swear Tuy Hoa to Vung Tau is nothing but hotels and golf courses now.

[sushiman]

" Continued...who along with clapton and Baker were Blind Faith (forgot the fourth of BF) "

Steve Winwood and a guy named Rick Grech on bass . Rick came from the group FAMILY .

[going hot]

Haven't been back (yet). It was one hell of a beautiful coastline though. Except for where there were villages at mouths of rivers, there the murk would extend out into the south china sea. Otherwise, more clear than a freshly scrubbed fish tank.