The last surviving member of the legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience, drummer Mitch Mitchell, was found dead in his hotel room early Wednesday. He was 61 years old.
Noel Redding - Jimi Hendrix - Mitch Mitchell
Englishman, Mitchell was a powerful force on the Hendrix band’s 1967 debut album “Are You Experienced?” as well as the trio’s albums “Electric Ladyland” and “Axis: Bold As Love.” He had an explosive drumming style that can be heard in hard-charging songs such as “Fire” and “Manic Depression.”
Hendrix died in 1970. Bass player Noel Redding died in 2003.
Mitchell had been drumming for the Experience Hendrix Tour, which performed Friday in Portland. It was the last stop on the West Coast part of the tour.
“He was a wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend. His role in shaping the sound of the Jimi Hendrix Experience cannot be underestimated.” - Janie Hendrix, chief executive of the Experience Hendrix Tour and Jimi Hendrix’ stepsister.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1992. According to the Hall of Fame, Mitchell was born July 9, 1947, in Ealing, England.
Terry Stewart, chief executive of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, said Mitchell transformed his instrument from a “strictly percussive element to a lead instrument.”
“His interplay with Jimi Hendrix’s guitar on songs like ‘Fire’ is truly amazing,” Stewart said Wednesday. “Mitch Mitchell had a massive influence on rock ‘n’ roll drumming and took it to new heights.”
Rock On Mitch, we hope you, Noel and Jimi are Jammin again!
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’rs The Allman Brothers Band have sued their longtime record company, Universal Music Group, for more than $10 million over disputed royalties from CD and digital download sales.
Greg Allman, Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson, Butch Trucks and Dickey Betts say that they have never received their proper due from sales of signature tunes such as “Ramblin’ Man” and “Midnight Rider.”
Live At The Filmore (With Duane Allman)
The lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan states, Universal “refuses to pay the “Bros” at the correct royalty rate for its digital exploitation of the old Capricorn Masters” (Capricorn Records).
Grammy Award, Academy Award winning Singer, Musician Songwriter, Actor Isaac Hayes died at his home in Shelby County, Tennessee at age 56.
His album “Hot Buttered Soul” made Hayes a star in 1969. His shaved head, gold chains and sunglasses gave him a compelling visual image. “Hot Buttered Soul” was groundbreaking in several ways: He sang in a new “cool” style, and he started the song with “Raps”.
He was best known for his hit, the theme song for the 1971 movie “Shaft” which launched Hayes into International Star status.
Isaak Hayes Finds Freedom At Last!
A pioneer into new musical forms, Hayes In the early 1970s work laid the groundwork for disco, and artists like Barry White for what became known as urban-contemporary music and for Rap (he was rapping before there was rap).
Hayes was a talented songwriter. He was part of a songwriting partnership with David Porter, in the 1960s they wrote classic hits for Sam and Dave such as “Hold On, I’m Coming,” “Soul Man,” (That was also a hit for John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd as the “Blues Brothers“) and “When Something is Wrong With My Baby.” They also wrote for other Stax artists including Carla Thomas. Hayes was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002
Hayes was also a talented actor. He had roles in movies including “Tough Guys,” “I’m Gonna Get You Sucka” and “Hustle & Flow.” He had recently completed the movie “Soul Men,” in which he played himself; the film also starred Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac, who died on Saturday .
