Mitch Mitchell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as part of the
Jimi Hendrix Experience. The band, formed by the late guitar great, was responsible for
such groundbreaking rock albums as Electric Ladyland. It
featured bassist Noel
Redding, who was inducted into the Rock Hall along with Hendrix and Mitchell.
Mitchell, the musician who collaborated with Hendrix more than any other, was born
John Mitchell 52 years ago today in Ealing, London. He worked as a child actor in TV
commercials and appeared on the BBC-TV series "Jennings at School" and "Whacko"
and the ITV series "Emergency Ward 10" and "Redcap." Mitchell also hosted ITV's "In
Search of Adventure."
Mitchell was educated at Acts Educational and The Corona School. He played drums in
several bands, including the Coronets (who had a hit with "Not Too Little, Not Too
Much"), the Riot Squad and Georgie Fame's Blue Flames.
After a few auditions (in 1966 in London), Hendrix's manager, Animals' bassist Chas Chandler, picked Mitchell to be the Experience's drummer. Mitchell won out over Aynsley Dunbar and John Banks on the basis of a coin toss.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded three landmark albums, Are You
Experienced, Axis: Bold As Love (both 1967) and 1968's Electric
Ladyland, featuring such tracks as "Voodoo Chile" (RealAudio excerpt). Hendrix's
wah-wah and distortion effects changed rock 'n' roll guitar playing forever. The
Experience's music encompassed free jazz, Delta blues, acid rock, hardcore funk and
other genres. The group had such hits as "Purple Haze" (RealAudio excerpt) and "Hey Joe" (both 1967).
The trio split in 1969 when Mitchell and Redding quit because they felt left out of
important decision making. In 1970, Hendrix formed the Band of Gypsys with bassist Billy
Cox and drummer Buddy Miles. But later that year, Mitchell reunited with Hendrix. The
two men and Cox toured together during the months leading to Hendrix's death.
They performed during Hendrix's concert at the Isle of Wight rock festival in August 1970.
A month later, on September 18, Hendrix suffocated to death in his own vomit. Hendrix,
Mitchell and others had been working on the album First Rays of the New Rising
Sun (eventually issued in 1997) before the guitarist's death.
In late 1968, Mitchell participated in the Rolling Stones' long-unreleased "Rock and Roll
Circus" film, which was finally issued on CD and video in 1996. In that film, Mitchell
played on a version of the Beatles' "Yer Blues" in the one-off supergroup, the Dirty Mac,
which also included John Lennon, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards.
Last year, Mitchell issued the book, "The Hendrix Experience" (Da Capo), co-written by
John A. Platt. The tome provided Mitchell's analysis of Hendrix as an artist, as well as
descriptions of their time together in the London music scene.
Also in 1998, Rhino Home Video released a documentary on the recording of Electric
Ladyland. Earlier this week, UNI/MCA issued the album Jimi Hendrix: Live at
Woodstock, featuring Mitchell on drums. It is scheduled to be released on video as
well.
Other birthdays: John Tesh, 47; Debbie Sledge (Sister Sledge), 44; Marc Almond (Soft
Cell), 40; Jim Kerr (Simple Minds), 40; Courtney Love (Hole), 35; Kelvin Grant (Musical
Youth), 28; Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse), 24; Donald McPherson (Main Ingredient),
1941-1971; and Bon Scott (AC/DC), 1946-1980.
|
