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Artist
Mitch Mitchell
12+ albums
bluesjazzbritishfunkdrummer
about
John "Mitch" Mitchell (born 9 July 1947 in Ealing, Middlesex; died November 13, 2008 in Portland, Oregon) was an English drummer, most famous for his involvement with The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Mitchell was one of the most influential drummers of the late 1960s and early 1970s. In the few years before joining The Experience he was known locally as an outstanding session drummer and had hosted a children's program on TV. Pre-Experience bands included "Johnny Harris and the Shades" The Riot Squad and Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames. Mitchell is noted for his work with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and legendary work on such songs as "Manic Depression", "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", "Fire" and "Third Stone from the Sun". Mitchell came from a jazz background and like many of his drummer contemporaries was strongly influenced by the work of Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, and Art Blakey. He brought this dynamic, flowing style to the group, and was given the freedom to perform interplay with Jimi Hendrix, while still maintaining a foundational rhythm. The speed and creativity of his comping style of playing was impressive, as any drummer trying to emulate it would attest. In the Experience's film debut at Monterey Pop Festival, Mitchell's playing appears to be on fast speed relative to all else on stage. Mitchell pioneered a style of drumming, which would later become known as fusion. This is a "lead" style of playing distinguished by virtuoso interplay with lead instruments
