The Genius Of Mitch Mitchell

Mitch Mitchell is one of the most important drummers in history. As the drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, he changed the course of drumming by fusing the worlds of jazz and rock. Join Brandon Toews as he dives deep into what made Mitch such an influential drummer.

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Chapters:

00:00 - Intro
01:15 - Roots
04:22 - Jimi's Man
13:19 - Fusion Pioneer
20:30 - Legacy
27:23 - Outro

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[beachcomber]

I am SO HAPPY to see Mitch getting the appreciation he deserves. Someone asked me a while back who my favorite rock drummer was, and it kind of shocked me that Mitch Mitchell was what my brain was telling me. The usual Bonzo, Neil Peart, Kieth Moon, ect. would have usually been my answer, but Jimi would not have made the same music had he not had a seriously talented jazzer to fill out and give Jimi's other worldly playing the perfect base. If you know Jimi's discography song by song, it is amazing how many different beats Mitch has. And his drums sounded so good. Just listen to Up From the Skies on headphones. Unreal. Loved this video.

[deandavidson]

I started out on drums. In 1970 I was graduating high school and the Jimi Hendrix Experience played Charleston WV (my native town, across the river from my hometown, ) got to meet the whole band at the Kanawha Airport. I was awed. That night, after the show, I ditched my brand new girlfriend to go back and party with them. About 70 of us from different schools went to meet Jimi at the airport. He invited everyone to the party after the show. I told her she gets to meet them all after the show. She gave me an ultimatum, "it's me or the party. I chose the party. She never forgave me. Nine years later, at my twin brother's funeral she still wouldn't speak to me. It's one of my favorite experiences and memories.

[garrickcook]

Thank you for giving this guy some love. I have been a fan of the JHE for 40 years, and have always thought Mitch was under rated, and not given near the credit he deserves.

[johntiger]

Mitch Mitchel's work with Jimi Hendrix is phenominal. Those studio and live albums with Mitch just get better till this day.

[deanbiffin]

When I was a teenager I was the biggest Hendrix fan (still am). Mitchell had just released his biography and I read it cover to cover over and over. At the time I worked on the checkout of a big supermarket and one quiet Tuesday evening a small unassuming bloke put 2 bottles of milk on the end of my checkout and I knew that face. In total awe, I efficiently served one of the greatest drummers ever, he handed me his credit card to pay and there it said Mitch Mitchell. Even rock gods buy milk for their tea…

[paul]

So often overlooked because of the sheer power of Hendrix, Mitchell was an equally powerful and important part of what made the Experience the influence it remains today. Thanks for spotlighting this master's work.

[MichaelRoy-hclz]

Thank you. I'm mostly a guitarist (amongst other instruments) and it seems every guitarist wants a John Bonham who does deserve that recognition but l feel overall as recognized rock drummers that Mitchell doesn't get the recognition he deserves. They haven't invented an adjective to describe his greatness.

[blib]

I'm surprised Mitch Mitchell isn't often mentioned alongside Bonham, Moon, Baker etc. or other legendary drummers from that era, his playing is far beyond what was typical of rock drummers in the mid-late 60s (much like Jimi's guitar playing).

[Seventysongs]

Dude, I agree with everything. I'm 66 years old, I've been playing guitar since 1972 and I was fascinated by jazz rock groups like the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Eleventh House, Return to Forever as a quartet and a few others. The compositions fascinated me and the drummers of this style too. Once I heard Hendrix, I paid attention to Mitch's drums and noticed the freedom with which he played. I have no doubt that he was one of the precursors of this mix of jazz and rock...jazz rock properly speaking. Another thing I noticed in the Experience photos, and I'm obviously a big Hendrix fan, is that in most, if not all, Mitch and Jimi are always interacting, laughing, joking with each other. I believe they enjoyed being together. Jimi and Mitch, a perfect duo where one encouraged the other to create. I loved the video.

[danstephensen]

As a 73 yr old drummer (still working) I was MOST def’ly inspired by MM!!. I learned my “meat & potatoes” from RingO but the rest was from Mitch, Buddy Miles, Garibaldi, Steve Smith ETC!! I was blessed to grow up in the SF BAY Area in the Heat of the Fillmore Concert Era.

[michaelluong]

Please don't give up if this gets taken down again

[onedroplollipop]

Awesome film. Such an underreported piece of music history. The Hendrix/Mitchel collaboration is one of the most important rock history, as well as one of the greatest friendships.

[bowen]

Third Stone From the Sun…that crush roll was seemingly endless..just above and beyond.

[brianmontero]

I think Mitchell's peak is the song 'Third stone from the sun', this song goes under the radar maybe because of its psychodelic elements, but the jazzy part he plays near the middle of the song it's mindblowing

[ericartis]

The one thing I've learned from Mitch Michell was everything.He was just as great, as the great Jimi Hendrix.

[christov]

Mitch is such a powerhouse, and was a major inspiration to me as a young drummer. Mitch blew my mind as a young drummer and still does. Love his work on 1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)

[davidespinosa]

Third time's the charm ! Many thanks to Drumeo for persevering. 👍🙏

[tomcoryell]

Mitch and Ian have always been my favorite drummers. Also, thank you for bringing up “three over four”. I’ve asked for it from drummers and get a blank look.

[jydymyyyr]

Can't agree more! He and Jimi worked together so well... they inspired each other.

[gaborszekeres]

No word about 3rd Stone from The Sun in which the drum part was absolutely stunning.