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Thread: Mitch Mitchell - Famous Drummers

  1. #1

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    Mitch Mitchell



    Drummer: Mitch Mitchell
    Main Style: Rock
    Main Band: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
    Brief Summary: John Ronald "Mitch" Mitchell ( July 9th 1947 – November 12th 2008) was an English drummer, Mitchell played in Hendrix's Experience trio from October 1966 to mid-1969, in his Woodstock band of August 1969, and also with the later incarnation of the Experience in 1970 with Billy Cox on bass. Hendrix would often record tracks in the studio with only Mitchell, which would enhance on-stage chemistry.

    Other Facts: Mitchell pioneered a style of drumming which would later become known as fusion. This is a "lead" style of playing distinguished by interplay with lead instruments such as guitar or keyboards, and the blending of jazz and rock drumming styles. Though the use of lead drums was not a new concept in the world of jazz, it was relatively unheard of in the rock genre at the time. Upon joining Hendrix in late 1966, it soon became evident to Mitch that the trio format of the band was similar to the recently formed Cream, and that it would allow him an opportunity to become more free with his playing. Like a jazz drummer, Mitchell's playing not only provided a rhythmic support for the music, but also a source of momentum and melody. He made heavy use of snare rudiments, fast single and double stroke rolls, and jazz triplet patterns in his playing, and shifted between both traditional and matched grips. Notable examples of his style include the rudiment-heavy fills on Hey Joe, which help to carry the song through a series of increasingly intense climaxes. Manic Depression is a 3/4 rock waltz that finds Mitchell playing a driving Afro-Cuban inspired beat, which then shifts to an explosion of triplets all around the drumkit during the outro.
    Last edited by Olimpass; 09-02-2011 at 05:38 AM.

  2. #2

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    great old vid......

    Last edited by Olimpass; 03-18-2018 at 01:59 PM.

  3. #3

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    Monster drummer. Very under rated and a pioneer IMHO.

  4. #4

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    i think he's underrated too. What did he do after the JHEx? that could be one reason. Kind of went under the radar.
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  5. #5

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    Love Mitch Mitchell. That's why I posted this thread. I'm certain someone else would have too. Mitch was ahead of his time.

  6. #6

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    I know he wasn't open to the media and didn't grant many interviews....maybe that's why he is not mentioned with Ginger Baker, Bonham, Powell and others from his era.....he was as good, if not better, than most of his peers

  7. #7
    doctor dirt Guest

    Default Re: Mitch Mitchell

    Perfect drummer for Hendrix at that time and a very exciting drummer when you listen to the techniques he incorperated. A very "modern" drummer in the rock genre instead of playing boring rock back beats in 2/4 he jumped on top of the beat and set the pace so Hendrix had an up tempo groove to climb on.
    I think of Mitch as the Elvin Jones of rock, with his great cymbal playing along with the drumming. I saw him live with Jimi at a ball field in Bridgeport Conn in 1969 (raining and horrible sound co.)(played for 20 mins and apologized to everyone) then on the Yale Campus downtown New Haven Conn (my hometown) in Wholsey Hall on Nov. 17/69 (I think) and was outstanding, the best concert I ever attended. Two shows, saw them both so for 6 hours I learned a few lessons from the Experience. Then New Years Eve at the Filmore East, I saw 4 out of the 6 sessions (recordings) Band of Gypsys (minus Mitch with Buddy Miles on drums RIP) and Billy Cox on bass great sessions and fantastic playing. Hendrix sounded equally good with a great fat back drummer like Buddy or the on top playing of Mitch but what else would you expect.
    I had a young guitarist brought to me in the early 90s named Lance Lopez and I mentored him for about 15 months and gave him some connections to further his carreer. He won a few Hendrix show cases and actuall did a short tour with Mitch on drums and Billy on Bass.
    As far as a grade for British drummers to me Mitch is on top and none of the other "big names" could possibly perform the way he did with Jimi, I just don't see that at all.
    Theres some folks that are just tailored to work with others to form a perfect blend of their talents and Mitch playing drums with Jimi Hendrix has to be on the top of the list as far as a unique approach to what was gonna be an unusual stylings to begin with. Baker and Bonham nspired alot of people and certainly had their own signature style but none of them incorperated the methods and techinques in their playing like Mitch Mitchell did. He was a totally unique player and from what I heard of him personally a gentle man who was a gentlmen to any one and everyone. R.I.P Master Drummer! Doc


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  8. #8

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    +1
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  9. #9

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    I love when we cover JH tunes. I find it a challenge to try and replicate precisely what Mitchell laid down.

  10. #10

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    We're covering a couple of Hendrix tunes in the classic rock band I'm rehearsing with now. It's my first time learning these songs and it is a challenge, especially for me, trying to get back to playing shape after a long layoff. But they are fun to play.

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  11. #11

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    Real jazz/rock-blues fusion drummer! That's why it's fun to play those songs. And dynamics!
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  12. #12

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    I think what I find to be facinating when watching my DVD of Hendrix at the Isle of Wight is how fluid he always seemed to be. Just stunningly fast and chopsy, but so organic at the same time, like he was discovering what he was going to play as he was playing it. Another word that has been used to describe his style is "tribal."

    I agree with everyone here who thinks that he was underrated and often overlooked as a drummer, which is probably due to the fact that he was overshaddowed by Jimi, who is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable rock artists of all time, and that after Jimi died, he didn't really follow up with anything notable. Nevertheless though, he was an amazing drummer.
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  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by doctor dirt View Post
    Perfect drummer for Hendrix at that time and a very exciting drummer when you listen to the techniques he incorperated. A very "modern" drummer in the rock genre instead of playing boring rock back beats in 2/4 he jumped on top of the beat and set the pace so Hendrix had an up tempo groove to climb on.
    I think of Mitch as the Elvin Jones of rock, with his great cymbal playing along with the drumming. I saw him live with Jimi at a ball field in Bridgeport Conn in 1969 (raining and horrible sound co.)(played for 20 mins and apologized to everyone) then on the Yale Campus downtown New Haven Conn (my hometown) in Wholsey Hall on Nov. 17/69 (I think) and was outstanding, the best concert I ever attended. Two shows, saw them both so for 6 hours I learned a few lessons from the Experience. Then New Years Eve at the Filmore East, I saw 4 out of the 6 sessions (recordings) Band of Gypsys (minus Mitch with Buddy Miles on drums RIP) and Billy Cox on bass great sessions and fantastic playing. Hendrix sounded equally good with a great fat back drummer like Buddy or the on top playing of Mitch but what else would you expect.
    I had a young guitarist brought to me in the early 90s named Lance Lopez and I mentored him for about 15 months and gave him some connections to further his carreer. He won a few Hendrix show cases and actuall did a short tour with Mitch on drums and Billy on Bass.
    As far as a grade for British drummers to me Mitch is on top and none of the other "big names" could possibly perform the way he did with Jimi, I just don't see that at all.
    Theres some folks that are just tailored to work with others to form a perfect blend of their talents and Mitch playing drums with Jimi Hendrix has to be on the top of the list as far as a unique approach to what was gonna be an unusual stylings to begin with. Baker and Bonham nspired alot of people and certainly had their own signature style but none of them incorperated the methods and techinques in their playing like Mitch Mitchell did. He was a totally unique player and from what I heard of him personally a gentle man who was a gentlmen to any one and everyone. R.I.P Master Drummer! Doc
    I've got the Filmore New Year's double disk, so I know what you're saying. Jimi sounded great with Billy Miles, but Mitch just takes it to a whole other level. Mitch and Jimi had a trully special interplay. Also, props to Noel Redding for holding the whole thing together.
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  14. #14

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    I could watch vids of him playing and listen to his playing every day. I seem to learn something new each time i see an old video. Great drummer and thanks for adding this thread.
    "I consider every drummer that ever played before me an influence, in every way." (Buddy Rich)

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  15. #15

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    Awesome drummer! One of the first guys I tried playing along to. Emphasis on "tried". This guy had some of the wildest high energy fast paced fills I ever heard. At the time I was learning, when I went down to my own set to have an attempt at it- it was just mind blowing. Way beyond anything i'd ever tried before, so attempting to work up to that level was a tremendous help as a skillbuilding tool.
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  16. #16

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    "Are You Experienced" Great Album!!! I wonder where those Sparkle Ludwig Drums are today. Would you love to have those? Mitch Mitchell played with John Lennon on "Yer Blue's" in the "Rolling Stones" Film "Rock & Roll Circus".
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  17. #17

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    one of the best damn drummers on the planet!!!
    Jimmy had one heckuva little band

  18. #18

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    A testament to his brilliance is the fact that you can spend as much time as you have either watching bands covering or drummers doing covers on Youtube trying versions of "Hey Joe" and I challenge you to find a guy that nails it like Mitch originally laid it down. The nuances, volume control and feel were awesome.

  19. #19

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    Last edited by Olimpass; 03-18-2018 at 02:06 PM.

  20. #20

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    mitch had a style all of his own

    i am always inspired when i hear his recordings, he's in my top 10 favorite drummers

    if you ask a drummer what time it is?!? they're likely to respond with a time signature "oh, it's 4/4"....


  21. #21

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    I remember back in the day when you got to the point where you could play Hendrix's Fire note for note, beat for beat on the kit you had arrived. My weekly jams with my friends include several Hendrix tunes. Mitch is a huge influence for me and one of the true great drummers that had his own very unique style.

  22. #22

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    Quote Originally Posted by NPYYZ View Post
    I remember back in the day when you got to the point where you could play Hendrix's Fire note for note, beat for beat on the kit you had arrived. My weekly jams with my friends include several Hendrix tunes. Mitch is a huge influence for me and one of the true great drummers that had his own very unique style.
    Back in the day? I think I might feel I'd arrived if I could do it today!...lol

  23. #23

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    Olimpass,
    Thanks for posting that Mitch clip. Never saw that one. I really love his style, probably because Elvin is very much a hero of mine. He's like the rock Elvin!

  24. #24

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    Quote Originally Posted by t.ice View Post
    Olimpass,
    Thanks for posting that Mitch clip. Never saw that one. I really love his style, probably because Elvin is very much a hero of mine. He's like the rock Elvin!
    you're welcome t.ice. I love the vid too.

  25. #25

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    I've been a Hendrix fan for a long time and Mitch's playing is locked into Jimi's guitar riff so tight, I wish I could collaborate with another musician on that level. It's uncanny how well the music flows.

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