John "Mitch" Mitchell (9 July 1947 – 12 November 2008)
Little London Studios tribute to legendary drummer Mitch Mitchell
We were devastated to learn the news of Mitch’s passing
last week. He died peacefully in his sleep in a hotel in
Portland, Oregon - working out in the States on the
2008 Experience Hendrix Tour. Five days after the end
of the 4 week tour - on the day he was due to fly home
to England - he left us to be united with Jimi and Noel.
We were privileged to have worked with Mitch in our
studio, which he called a “really cozy little shack” when
he came in to record an interview for the American
Library of Congress of Recording.
The brief was supposed to be a ten to fifteen minute
interview, recording our end of a phone session with
Los Angeles. However ...
last week. He died peacefully in his sleep in a hotel in
Portland, Oregon -
2008 Experience Hendrix Tour. Five days after the end
of the 4 week tour -
to England -
We were privileged to have worked with Mitch in our
studio, which he called a “really cozy little shack” when
he came in to record an interview for the American
Library of Congress of Recording.
The brief was supposed to be a ten to fifteen minute
interview, recording our end of a phone session with
Los Angeles. However ...
The studio was all set up and ready to record - the call came in from The States at the designated time - no sign of Mitch - “call
back in 15 mins” I said. Mitch came in just as the second call was coming in - “give me time for a smoke and to settle in” said
Mitch. By the time the next call came 15 minutes later the mic was live and running. “Mitch, get in the chair and talk to this guy,”
I said, and so the interview began.
Mitch went back to his early recollections of tap dancing at the age of four and moved forward from there. The time passed 10,
15, 30 minutes and he was still going strong. He was now really settling into the interview and Terri helped him remove his
shoes to get more comfortable. And the recording went on. Space on the primary hard drive was disappearing rapidly and after
about 45 minutes I had to call time out to switch drives. The interview still hadn’t reached Mitch’s time with Jimi - which was
really the major point of the exercise - and we carried on recording for over another hour! So much for the plan of sending the
file over by ftp to LA - we had around 2 gig of recording - which we had to send later on 2 cd’s by Fedex.
By the end of the day we had nearly two hours of Mitch talking about his life - from his early days, child actor, first drum kit,
through to all the legendary names he had played with. All this and, when asked how much of it would be used for the Library,
we were told “probably a couple of minutes”. What we are left with, though, is Mitch telling his life story in his own words - and
this is a unique and priceless treasure. The player on this page contains a few selected clips of Mitch - the Man.
After the interview had ended Mitch was relaxed and in no hurry to leave. He picked up a couple of sticks, sat in on our studio
kit and started drumming. This was to good a chance to miss so I plugged in a guitar, Terri hooked up a mic and the three of us
jammed out. What an experience! Just a shame that by this time I’d stopped recording.
To have met such a legend was wonderful - but to have jammed with him took it to a totally different level.
Rest in peace Mitch
your memory will live on in drum owners* you inspired all around the world.
back in 15 mins” I said. Mitch came in just as the second call was coming in -
Mitch. By the time the next call came 15 minutes later the mic was live and running. “Mitch, get in the chair and talk to this guy,”
I said, and so the interview began.
Mitch went back to his early recollections of tap dancing at the age of four and moved forward from there. The time passed 10,
15, 30 minutes and he was still going strong. He was now really settling into the interview and Terri helped him remove his
shoes to get more comfortable. And the recording went on. Space on the primary hard drive was disappearing rapidly and after
about 45 minutes I had to call time out to switch drives. The interview still hadn’t reached Mitch’s time with Jimi -
really the major point of the exercise -
file over by ftp to LA -
By the end of the day we had nearly two hours of Mitch talking about his life -
through to all the legendary names he had played with. All this and, when asked how much of it would be used for the Library,
we were told “probably a couple of minutes”. What we are left with, though, is Mitch telling his life story in his own words -
this is a unique and priceless treasure. The player on this page contains a few selected clips of Mitch -
After the interview had ended Mitch was relaxed and in no hurry to leave. He picked up a couple of sticks, sat in on our studio
kit and started drumming. This was to good a chance to miss so I plugged in a guitar, Terri hooked up a mic and the three of us
jammed out. What an experience! Just a shame that by this time I’d stopped recording.
To have met such a legend was wonderful -
Rest in peace Mitch
your memory will live on in drum owners* you inspired all around the world.
If you can read this check your Java installation.
*Mitch always referred to himself as a ‘drum owner’ rather than a ‘drummer’
