Mitch Mitchell one of the greats.... listen to his playing on
Voodoo Child, beautifully meshes with Hendrix's amazing guitar playing.

As a drummer and a music teacher I rank Mitchell as one of the best Rock drummers. Chronologically, start with Keith Moon, who showed one can play freely and still keep a beat, move to Ginger Baker, whose drive is unbeatable and whose solos are so musical, and then to Mitchell, and then to Bonham. Hendrix' hero was the great saxophonist John Coltrane. Elvin Jones. Coltrane's drummer was Mitchell's hero. Hendrix and Mitchell created a synergy very much like Coltrane and Jones.

Mitch Mitchell is certainly among the most exceptionally talented and influencial drummers in the annals of R & R music history. However, the problem, if there was one, was the product of the "arranged marraige" of Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Hendrix, and not to the fault of either man. Jimi Hendrix may never have realized his potential for greatness. Others saw it in him, and I believe that Mitch Mitchell did his best to nurture and accomodate the work of his mate -and he did a heckuva job! They did some tremendous work! Would the two have linked up if not for the matchmakers? I doubt it very much, as it quite a bit more than a stones throw between Seattle, Washington, and London, England. I give five stars because I don't know went on behind closed doors in session, and because I believe that Mr. Mitchell's work, all things as they stand, was better than Good. The Experience was great!

After nearly a 30 year break from listening to the 'Experience' I have come to listen to it with a more mature and 'experienced' ear...after playing with numerous bands myself and playing with many drummers. In my opinion, Mitch was a perfect match for Jimi. With his Jazz oriented style, he and both Ginger Baker, essentially introduced this to Rock, his dynamic rhythms, fill ins and variations revolving around Hendix and his blues based style, created the dynamic highs and lows when Jimi needed them, while putting up a wall of sound that was almost invible due to it's complex rhythms that Jimi bounced and flew into the stratosphere with. As is evident with Band of Gypsies, Jimi's playing was limited due to Buddy Miles' driving grooves, but lacking in sounds and rhythms for Jimi to bounce off of. To jam to, play blues to, which is never played the same way... Jimi kept Mitch until his death, and in listening to 'Cry of Love', the two together, with Billy Cox, created a fluidity that still sounds as fresh as the day they made it. In comparing him to other drummers like Keith Moon, Ginger Baker, John Bonham, etc, Mitch may have not had the soloing dynamics that these others had, but with Jimi at the guitar, it was not even an option...it was simply not needed. He was a great listener and complimented Jimi, the greatest and most visionary musician that could agruably, ever been. In conclusion, listen to Mitch...really listen, and you will find yourself enjoying the Experience 100 fold.

He's the best drummer I've ever heard, period.

Mitch Mitchell has inspired every single rock drummer to this day. You can hear his crazy style being copied by Ian Paice, Cozy Powell and even John Bonham. He is truly one of the greatest drummers of rock

Played drums for many - including Jimi Hendrix.