Jimi Hendrix Drummer Dies

AFP

Legendary drummer Mitch Mitchell, the last surviving member of the popular 60s band The Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead Wednesday in a hotel room in Oregon. He was 62.

No cause of death was immediately issued, but an official statement posted on the official Jimi Hendrix website said Mitchell died from natural causes.

The British-born drummer, whose real name was John Mitchell, was found at the Benson Hotel early morning. He had just completed an 18-city tour of the U.S. with the Experience Hendrix tribute tour.

“We're all devastated to hear of Mitch's passing,” Experience Hendrix chief executive Janie Hendrix said.

“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."

Mitchell, who backed guitar prodigy Hendrix from 1966 to 1969, was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.