John "Mitch" Mitchell (born 9 July 1947 in Ealing, Middlesex) was a drummer for The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
He 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 even hosted a children's programme on TV - probably a follow-on from his stage school training as a youngster). Know amongst his music mates in 1964 as the only musician they knew with a new car.
He is most noted for his work with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and praised for his legendary works on such songs as Manic Depression, Voodoo Child (Slight Return) and Third Stone from the Sun. Mitchell came from a jazz background and like many of his drumming contemporaries he 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 "take it out there" along with Jimi Hendrix, while still keeping the grooves grounded and solid.
Mitch pioneered a style of drumming which would later become known as fusion. This is a "lead" style of playing typified by chops-heavy interplay with lead instruments such as guitar or keyboards, and the melding of jazz and rock drumming styles. In late 1966, this expressive and flamboyant style of playing was unheard of in rock. Drums had always been expected to stay in the background, locking down the groove with the bass. Along with Hendrix's groundbreaking guitar work and songs, Mitch's playing helped to redefine rock music.
Mitch was Hendrix's most important musical collaborator, playing in Hendrix's Experience trio from October 1966 to mid-1969, his Woodstock band in August 1969, and also his "Cry of Love" band in 1970. Hendrix would often record tracks in the studio with just himself and Mitch, and in concert the two fed off of each other to exciting effect.
Mitch played in the band The Dirty Mac which was put together for The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus in 1968. The band contained John Lennon as "Winston Leg-Thigh" as vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Eric Clapton as guitarist, Keith Richards as bassist, and Mitch Mitchell as drummer. They recorded a rendition of the song Yer Blues, as well as a jam called Whole Lotta Yoko.
After Hendrix's death, Mitch (along with engineer Eddie Kramer) finished production work on various incomplete Hendrix recordings, which would result in posthumous releases such as "Cry of Love" and "Rainbow Bridge". In 1972, he teamed up with guitarists April Lawton and Mike Pinera to form Ramatam. They recorded one album and were ELP's opening act at a number of concerts. Interestingly, Mitch had been offered the drum spot in ELP during 1970, but turned it down in favor of playing with Hendrix. Mitch also did some gigs with Terry Reid, Jack Bruce, and Jeff Beck (subbing for drummer Cozy Powell, who was sick). Mitchell also became a full-time member of the quite innovative act, Ramatam that featured a female guitarist of amazing talent and lead guitar capabilities in addition to Mike Pinera who would later go on to join Iron Butterfly. Mitchell drummed notably on the acts self-titled debut record. This act performed on a series of dates as the opening act for Emerson,Lake and Palmer but never achieved commercial success and Mitchell had left the act prior to their second LP release.
A lesser known, but quite verifiable fact (via Eddie Kramer's book "Hendrix: Setting the Record Straight), was that both Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding were essentially cut out of any significant long term earnings from recordings they produced with The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Michael Jeffries, Hendrix's manager, although an innovator in getting Hendrix promoted and established, set up an unfair business model that established both Mitchell and Redding as solely paid employees without an ownership right to share in future revenues. This essentially capped their earnings at a very low rate and led to Mitchell and Redding being largely excluded from sharing in future revenues generated from their work with The Jimi Hendrix Experience. This arrangement forced Mitchell (for financial reasons) in the mid 1970's to sell a prized Hendrix guitar. In addition, he sold his small legal claim to future Hendrix record sales for a sum reported to be in the range of $200,000.
For the rest of the 70s and through to the 90s, Mitch continued to perform and occasionally record although essentially doing so under the radar of most of his previous fans. He kept reasonably busy doing occasional session work (such as Junior Brown's "Long Walk Home" album) as well as participating in various Hendrix-related recordings, videos, and interviews.
In 1999 Mitch Mitchell appeared on the late Bruce Cameron (guitarist)'s album, "Midnight Daydream" that included other Hendrix alumni Billy Cox and Buddy Miles along with Jack Bruce who Mitchell had worked with after Hendrix's passing. Mitchell, seemingly in attempt to satisfy his most enthusiastic fans of his drum work with Hendrix, even played a series of live shows with the very accurate Hendrix emulator Randy Hansen. Most recently, he was part of the "Gypsy Sun Experience" band, along with former Hendrix bassist Billy Cox and guitarist Gary Serkin. He is all but retired now, and lives in Europe.
Mitch's gear circa 1967: Drums: Premier 22" x14" Bass Drum Premier 2000 Metal Snare 14" x 8" tom (nicknamed the "The Tuna Can" because of its shape) 14" x 14" Floor Tom 16" x 16" Floor Tom
Cymbals: Zildjian 14" Hi-hats 16" Crash 18 Crash Ride 20 Riveted Ride. So in conclusion Mitch Mitchell was one of the greatest and most influential drummers of all time.
