I just read in the paper today that the last surviving member of The Jimmy Hendrix Experience, Mitch Mitchel, had died. I remember when I purchased that first album that had all three members pictured on the front, but at that time I was more in tune with Jimmy's guitar work and didn't care to zone in on the individual parts of the music.

Too bad, because just recently, after listening to that iconic "Are You Experienced" album, I have been amazed at Mitchell's drum work. I mean, think about it, how in the world could a drummer keep up with Hendrix's mercurial and bombastic guitar work? The answer is...by being just as frenetic and bombastic himself! In my mind's eye I can just picture him pounding away, sweat dripping from his thin frame, keeping time in his own mind just betting on Jimmy's next move.

In truth, all three musicians had to be aware of each other in order to play off of each others strengths, but I'm convinced that Mitch and Jimmy could have gone on all by themselves. In fact, if you ever have given a listen to the contemporary group "The Black Keys", specifically their first album where they are basically a two man band, you can clearly see the possibilities of a Hendrix/Mitchell collaboration. But that was not to be.

So here's to the late Mitch Mitchell, dead at the age of 61