Yesterday the world lost one of its drumming heroes, the last surviving member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Mitch Mitchell. He reportedly died of natural causes at just 62.
More than just a support for the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, Mitch was a brilliant drummer in his own right. This video from a performance in Sweden in 1969 shows Mitch doing what he did best, going nuts on the drums.
Watch and see the way Mitch begins to intertwine his drum licks with Jimi’s guitar chords. This technique of playing along with the lead instruments, mixing rock and jazz techniques, became known as fusion. Mitch was the pioneer of this innovative playing style.
Mitch was playing right up until the end, finishing up the Experience Hendrix tour with Buddy Guy and Kenny Wayne Shepherd just days before his death. He will be sorely missed.
