R.I.P. Mitch Mitchell

Sad news. Revered rock drummer Mitch Mitchell passed away yesterday at age 62.

The man behind the kit for the Jimi Hendrix Experience had just finished the "Experience Hendrix" tour alongside Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Hubert Sumlin, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, and Robbie Krieger of the Doors among others.

Janie Hendrix, CEO of Experience Hendrix, LLC said in a statement, “We’re all devastated to hear of Mitch’s passing. 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. Over the course of the recent tour, he seemed delighted with the interchange with the other musicians and the audiences. There is no question that he was doing what he loved.”

The AP write-up is here and the Telegraph here.

And here are a couple of clips of Mitchell in action.

One classic with Hendrix:

One with supergroup The Dirty Mac with John Lennon, Keith Richards, and Eric Clapton: