Mitch Mitchell, drummer for the legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead at a Portland hotel early yesterday morning. He was 62.
After completing the Experience Hendrix tour in Portland with one-time bandmate Billy Cox and a host of notable musicians on Nov. 7, Mitchell was spending some down time in the city before returning to his native England. According to the Multnomah County Medical Examiner's office, Mitchell likely died of natural causes.
Mitchell joined the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1966, and with late bassist Noel Redding, staffed the formidable rhythm section supporting Hendrix's era-defining guitar work. He remained with Hendrix through the Experience's first breakup in mid-1969, playing with him during the artist's iconic Woodstock performance.
The band split in early 1970 and Mitch went on to help producer Eddie Kramer assemble the albums Cry of Love and Rainbow Bridge, featuring unfinished Hendrix material.
He played occasional gigs with Terry Reid, Jeff Bruce and Jeff Beck, but he rarely recorded as his career went on. Mitch Mitchell is survived by his mother, his wife, a daughter and two grandchildren.
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