Mitch Mitchell drum solo with Ramatam - 1972-10-01

[squiggleyone]

I jamed with Mitch & Mike Pinera & Noel many times, Mitch was the best ever!

[ter50]

highly underrated drummer! he pioneered jazz fusion drumming and even hard rock and metal before Bonham! one of the most important drummers of all time!

[MrSnarey]

My hero !

[lordritchie]

Saw this tour in Cincinnati at a club called Reflections. The first LP had just come out . Mitch played his ass off that night and April Mike and Russ did a fantastic job too. The LP was a little uneven for me but they were outstanding live.

[tedreinhardtdrums]

thanks mitch,  R.I.P.

[maxwelld1961]

Mitch was my hero man.The best drummer ever in my opinion.Some of the things he did.I mean he really melded the Jazz/Rock blues thing with Hendrix and in my opinion, he opened the door for what we later all called fusion.So sad i never got to meet him.But man i'll be playing and listening to his stuff till i am gone on to the next world..R.I.P. Mitch you are still the man.

[klawrence738]

who would ever put a Jazz Drummer with a Psychedelic guitar Player like Jimi Hendrix and expect it to work. Insane. The Experience was in deed one of those magic combinations. Reminds me of the Led Zep story. Bonham had a paying gig with Mad Dog's and Englishmen to tour with Joe Cocker. He decided to quit before they started and went to work with Paige Plant and JPJ. The rest is history.

[charlessavarese]

Let's not forget Ian Paice, while we're on that subject.

[rubberneckk]

@charlessavarese yes, lets not forget ian...a most fantastic and inspirational musician,will never forget hearing 'the mule' on made in japan as a kid...magical!

[tony2988]

guter gott lassssst dasssss

[drumrooster]

I met Mitch about 2 -3 weeks befor he passed in Louisville Ky..back stage at the Hendrix tribute show..I never asked anyone for an autograph in my life or a picture,,so I say hey Mitch how about a picture?? and he says oh not now mate im really busy,,,:[,,he then walks right over to my buddys good lookin wife and says hey babe lets get a picture?? wtf?...I will never ask anyone again..lol..RIP Mitch..

[monkywithmachineguns]

mitch is amazing and doesnt get as much attention as he should but i cant believe the this is a slideshow and not an actual video wtf you cant make a drum solo video like that

[BohemianConspiracy]

unbelievable youtube is often great... but here not even a decent video about the band Ramatam ...they made 2 good albums in 72 and 73 . It was surely the only male rock band leaded by a young woman*... she was even "avant-garde" ...has some (rich) arty people said ....

Ramatam diserve more respect and visibility.

* i just remember at the last second that the band Zephyr has the same characteristics

[CacheSeaker]

It is hard to compare drummers because they play different styles of music. Mitch Mitchell couldn't go five minutes without hitting one of symbols or toms forty times on a song like whole lotta love but on the other side John Bonham would be in trouble if he had to play a on a song like fire with his beefy meat and potatoes/snare and bass drumming style

[CacheSeaker]

Mitch Mitchell-John Bonham

Mitch Mitchell&John Bonham-than everybody else

I would put Ginger Baker, Keith Moon and Jim Fox at the top to.

[164jord]

at 0:40 , I've been there, the London Hard Rock Cafe, and have seen Mitch's kit. Hendrix & Mitchell were indeed a perfect fit.

[cnewman99]

Mitch Mitchell is one of my favorites for sure. His playing was just a perfect fit for Hendrix.

[esraretin]

what is Ramatam?

[clarkewi]

Mitch Mitchell - the Elvin Jones of Rock and Roll.

[bnfox1957]

You have a live recording of Ramatam???

[psychkoala]

@bnfox1957

RIGHT ON !

[ManyGodz]

Mitch was an incredible,amazing drummer.I think he was the best one to play with Hendrix.Wish he and Billy Cox had had more time to play,tour & record with Jimi.That was the best line up EVER !!!!

[konked]

@ManyGodz Just for the record..Keith Emerson asked Mitch Mitchell to join to a group which eventually became Emerson, Lake & (drummer Carl) Palmer. He did turn down but suggested Jimi Hendrix for guitar knowing Hendrix was bored to the style he felt stuck in.

[bellsonrich]

Hes a fucking tiny dude who plays the drums like a beast! Bummer he passed.

[B007Dep1]

technically proficient yet crunchy. Yea he be bad ass n all!

[RastafariPoet]

2:36 - 2:46

Those weird sounds were Jimi Hendrix calling upon the spirit of Mitch.

[ripperap]

Goddamned!! I just learned Mitch die. first Cozy, Dio, now you. All my heros are leaving. life sucks

[bigtone1348]

Check out the Billy Walton Band video of Moby Dick. The drummer looks like Twink of the Pretty Things & plays like he worships Mitch Mitchell.

[NewClassicRockStars]

Thank you for posting this, what great memories, my husband, Mike Pinera played with the band RAMATAM at this show. Mitch was an incredible great drummer, but he was also the kindest, sweetest and most gentle person you could ever meet. We were fortunate to have met up with him again at the Greek Theater in L.A. @ Expierience Hendricks, a few days before he passed on. April Lawton, so talented, nice & kind. Russ, the bass player died first, then April and Mitch, may they all RIP.

[DONDIVA1969]

He was the best out of the crop of '60's drummers.

[davelewitt]

@doox420 ok terrific what the f?

RIP Mitch Mitchell!

[Lmmarcher09]

Mitch is by far one of the best drumers of all time and honestly I agree with the statement that he was the best drummer of the sixties. he was far more innovative than most.

[omegapoint0]

Mitch Mitchell is OUT OF THIS WORLD on drums.

Only a handful of drummers are on his level.

When a musician attains the GENIUS of Hendrix and Mitchell, there is nobody else to compare them to.

Then it is no longer who is the best, it is merely who do u prefer.



[matthewmaus]

When i started learning the drums, my hero was Keith Moon, but I just couldn't play like him, and didn't want to. The JHE were a massive influence, more than I realised. In the late 90s the band I was in, called Quant, played a festival in Spain. Afterwards a highly respected spanish drummer came to me and said ' at last I have found my Mitch Mitchell! You ARE Mitch! Teach me!', That was one of the greatest compliments of my life. I love Mitch.

[VercettiVice]

mitch, may you drum forever along with Reg Isidore and John Bonham, Buddy Miles and the whole Electric Sky Church band.

[StephenQuadros]

Fantastic! Great find! Mitch Mitchell was super influential.

[Brasstacks11]

Hard call to say who was the best.

[davelewitt]

Mitch's most electrifying drum track

"She's So Fine"

could lose the vocal track ( it was Noel Redding) but man, what a drum track!!

MM rip we will miss you!!!

[doox420]

@davelewitt jam back at the house

[MarkusGronroos]

I saw his drumkit on hard rock cafe' in london, I also saw jimi's flying V vith his sunglasses ;)

[maclennan73]

I personally think the Experience worked because Mitchell was trying to match Hendrix in the other direction with Reading s base keeping time. Hence total magic.

[LucasMarquesGHC]

my fav drummer of all time

[soltisimba]

I saw him twice in 1968 with Jimi and until I saw Keith Moon, he was the best I ever saw. Great jazzy fills and very good improv with Hendrix.

[soltisimba]

I saw him twice in 1968 with Jimi and until I saw Keith Moon, he was the best I ever saw. Great jazzy fills and very good improv with Hendrix.

[drumier]

mitch was as brilliant as jimi

[BiblePit]

The Grinder on the kit. Mitch rules!!!

[GodfatherOfSweden]

Mitchy Rules

[2bonzandapick]

I saw Ramatam at the Victoria Opera house in Dayton, Ohio. April Lawton was just killer. Met Mitch Mitchell and the band after the show and got his autograph. wish I stilll had it!

[dagrapevine]

pinera was also in the blues image which had one hit called "ride captain ride".he currently plays in the classic rock allstars with jerry corbetta former lead vocal and keyboard player of sugarloaf.

[NewClassicRockStars]

@dagrapevine Pinera went on to play with Iron Butterfly after he did Ride Captain Ride. Then RAMATAM lp, with Mitch Mitchell and April, then, Cactus, called Son of Cactus, then 2 lp"s as Thee Image, on Emerson, Lake & Palmer label called Manticore Records, then 2 solo lp's on Capricorn,and another solo CD on M&E called In The Garden of Eden, then 2 lp's and 2 years of touring with Alice Cooper around the world. He plays with his solo band and with The New Classic Rock Stars. trailer on you tube

[Xelanderthomas]

I've also thought Mitch was the best drummer in the rock scene back in late 60

I thought he was no. 1 a lot people said it was Ginger Baker but I really thought Mitch was more creative and proficient. Tight...

[clarkewi]

This is an unbelievable solo. Mitch was the best.... a wizard - a combination of Elvin Jones and Ginger Baker....able to find a groove between jazz and rock. Very few drummers that could do that. Mitch had BOTH in his brain. Plus a "golden touch" like Tony Williams. Amazing musician.

[Xelanderthomas]

Bravo! Good for you. Tony Williams is a very informed comparisions. Tony Williams was/is a monster. Just think, he was 16 when he started play with Miles. Anyway, Mitch was certainly way up on the list of drumming god. And I agree: right in the middle between jazz & rock and could lean deep either way

[CJbass420]

@Xelanderthomas its all just opinions.

[Xelanderthomas]

@CJbass420 Never thought it was ever more than just that, my friend. All art is subjective.

Peace ;-)

[jdman331]

@Xelanderthomas Michael Shrieve is up there too. Also John Bonham, although I don't dig his style as much.

[Xelanderthomas]

@jdman331 Love Shrieve, but I saide the 60s. I don't thing of Shrieve as so dominant in the 60s. He hit the scene with Santana in 69 but most of his coming of age as a drummer was in the 70s. Mitch and Baker and those guys rocked from at least the mid 60s on.

peace ;-)

[jdman331]

@Xelanderthomas fair enough

[Xelanderthomas]

@jdman331 Don't get me wrong. Santana - at least those first 4 records are some of my all time favorite music - and I dig the hell of Shrieve - he and Neal Schon where true finds.

[208stroker1]

@Xelanderthomas yer thats a hard one to choose from the 2 of them ....i love them both as musicians...r.i.p Mitch...!!!

[Xelanderthomas]

@208stroker1 I don't think you really have to choice. To me when musicians reach that level of competence it's all subjective anyway. Whoever talke to you the most. To me Mich just had it. But so do others in other ways.

[208stroker1]

@Xelanderthomas i agree..

[mileswarm]

@Xelanderthomas 1000000 % right ... Mitch NO.1 to me, ever .... only moon was close to him... also so much fast breaks that noone can repeat

[mjw9363]

@Xelanderthomas try a lot of people said John Bonham



[StainIessChina]

@Xelanderthomas I totally agree Ginger Baker is a pretty mediocre drummer but Keith Moon and John Bonham were both miles ahead of Mitch Mitchell in the late 60s

[Xelanderthomas]

@StainIessChina Now, I have to say, I don't agree with that. Miles ahead. I doubt it. Maybe at banging away in straight rock setting but Mitch had the combo of rock & jazz that set him apart from most in the rock genre. But I can see how you could perferr those other guys over him.

[StainIessChina]

@Xelanderthomas I can see that but Bonham really didn't just bang away he had incredible dynamics and the earlier zeppelin stuff had some really jazzy beats like Good Times Bad Times, How Many More Times, and even some later stuff like When the Levee Breaks, and The Wanton Song, but I'd have to say Bill Ward from Black Sabbath is probably the best jazz drummer of the late 60s everything on their first album is insane but he seemed to have abondoned his improvisation after that

[Xelanderthomas]

@StainIessChina Well, all due respect, not taking anything from those guys, you are obviously a more "rock" oriented person. And that's cool. To suggest that Bill Ward or any of those guy are the best "jazz" drummer is a little retarded ( I don't mean that in nasty way, really) but if you're going to state specifically "jazz" those guys don't even hold a candle to Elvin Jones, Jack DeJohnette, Tony Williams..list goes on. Sorry. But yeah, if you want to stick rock you've got a case.

[Xelanderthomas]

@StainIessChina And I'll bet you 10 to 1 that even those guys would say that themselves becuase they no fools.

[StainIessChina]

@Xelanderthomas Haha yeah Mitch is definitely up there and it's all really a matter of preference and out of all the drummers we discussed Ginger Baker is the only one who doesn't really stand out in my opinion

[Xelanderthomas]

@StainIessChina I know people who think Baker is God. I never felt that way about him at all, although I do think Cream really rocked and he certainly was part of the reason. But yeah, I'm willing to bet if he wasn't there he wouldn't have been missed as much as Mitch Mitchell not being in those first Hendrix albums. I mean, Up From the Skies...then switching into Spanish Castle Magic. Masterful.

[StainIessChina]

@Xelanderthomas Yeah I actually like his work on First Rays of the New Rising Sun and Valleys of Neptune the best I think he and Hendrix both had much better chemistry with Billy Cox than with Noel Redding

[Xelanderthomas]

@StainIessChina Billy Cox was strong. Now Noel Redding is someone I am seriously umimpressed with. He seemed to be just an adequate player along for the ride. He did the job but added nothing speacial to the mix. That song he wrote on Axis: Bold as Love; "She's so Fine" is about the lamest tune Hendrix ever recorded. It's so corny it's almost embarassing "she's so fine, she so very, very finnnneeee"

[StainIessChina]

@Xelanderthomas That's true and the only reason that was on the album was because Noel was a control freak and thought he should be the star which is why Hendrix ditched him after Electric Ladyland which he also had a cheesy pop song on called Little Miss Strange Noel was riding the same vibe as like mid 60s Beatles and Who except they were actually good writers

[Xelanderthomas]

@StainIessChina Dude, you are way in the "know" great observation. I forgot about Little Miss Strange - i knew he had written another one that sucked *lol*

Yeah, "Little Miss Strange", not to be confused with "Little Miss Lover" which rocks.

[StainIessChina]

@Xelanderthomas Haha thanks, you'd be even more surprised if you knew how young I was, but I'm just a huge Hendrix fan I play a few differnet instruments, but him Jimmy Page and John Frusciante are like my three biggest influences on guitar

[Xelanderthomas]

@StainIessChina I looked on your page and saw that video and I'm stunt at how young you are. I was listening to these guys at you age. You weren't even a fantasy in folks mind at that time. lol Good hear that music still speaks through generations. I always say that our generation had the best music.

[StainIessChina]

@Xelanderthomas It's true I love the 60s and 70s music, but I also love the 90s since that's when I was growing up and my older brother was always showing me like 311, Nirvana, and Guns N Roses and stuff like that, but I have to say I really don't care for the 80s much at all I like Ozzy and SRV and that's about it really, but yeah I'm hoping to get some videos of my band posted soon but my drummer is at this paintball re-enactment of WWII for the next couple weeks

[StainIessChina]

@Xelanderthomas Just to be clear I'm not trying to put Mitch down I do think he's incredible drummer

[nicanutz]

best drummer ever!!!!

[Jellybeanman0925]

ive been listening to mitch since i was about 7. im 15 now and in listening to him and playing drums myself i have picked up his style of drumming and fills he does. something i havnt picked up is his talent. R.I.P MITCH ;(

[bamwow09]

i found myself doing a lot of his fills 2

[NewClassicRockStars]

@Jellybeanman0925 Hi there, from someone who knew Mitch, he would be the first to tell you talent comes along with practicing and keeping at it. if your started at 7 and are still at it at 15, You are way ahead of the game. Keep rockin and believe in Miracles!

[atisaseret]

April Lawton died of Heart complications on Thanksgiving Day 2006. She was RARE amongst the Rare of being a KICK-ASS Female Lead Guitarist back in the early '70s. She was called

"The FEMALE Jimi Hendrix' because she was INCREDIBLY TALENTED Guitarist!

My cousin knew April and told me that she was very sweet and humble - she was also beautiful with long dark hair!

[stoogehand]

Ramatam was a great band with a great lineup.I saw them live and they were real high energy.Their first album is a beauty.

[hugobear1]

did they do any more? what happened to APril Lawton? is Mike Pinera still about? I'd love to know. Thanks from the UK's only Ramatam fan!

[katieweatherby]

I think April is deceased 2 or 3 years ago.Mike Pinera is still performing in some old time rock revival band.Pinera was a grear singer for sure,loved him in Iron Butterfly.

[hugobear1]

thanks...Butterfly Bleu is THE great rock epic .... Pinera was also in the New Cactus Band who did a good country rock LP

[namtitti]

Downrange party!!! Saw them" DO IT LIVE'"APRIL WAS SHOVING HER CROTCH IN MY FACE AS SHE WAS SOLOING. Hot Bitch and a Hot giutarist..Sunshine Inn days!! Caught a mitch mitchel drumstick!!

[OldSteamer]

you lucky sack!

[Drumcam]

Mitch Mitchell was, in my humble opinion, the first jazz/rock fusion drummer! Listen to all his recordings. Somehow, he managed to SWING all his rock tracks!! NOONE has ever duplicated that sound! We miss you Mitch! Also VERY SORRY to hear that April Lawton has passed on! I played with her in the '70s in a band called "Bitch." Another great loss!

[kball69]

wow, too cool ^^ ya, well its killer tho that in the last 60 years of rock/hard rock there has been hundreds of mind blowing bands to keep the spirit alive of all b4 them

[clarkewi]

He sounds like Tony Williams or Jack Degonette

[clarkewi]

That is so. Listen to the rolls. Nobody plays em like that.

[rrdrums110]

That isn't mitch mitchell.

[carlfia]

It is. i got this show.

[lastsinger]

What a mystery. Mitch and April Lawton.

Do they play with Jimi now ?

[hfelton]

April died several years ago. Shocked by the shabby treatment she was given by the rock press of the day, (one stupidly wrote she must have had a sex change operation, since no girl could play like that) she left the music business entirely shorty after the band broke up, and moved to New Mexico? and apparently found fulfillment as an artist. I saw Ramatam at a NY concert and was amazed at just how great a guitarist April was. She should have had a big career. Too bad.

[dandamagetoo]

I saw Ramatam in jacksonville FL way back when. I think I might have fallen in love with April lawton. where is she now? What is she doing?

[blacksilk2332]

please post some april lawton video..great guitarist.......anyone..?

[voodoochild53]

MITCH MITCHELL FUCKING ROCKS!!!!