Matt Sorum pays tribute to Mitch Mitchell

Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum has paid tribute the Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell, who died on 12 November.

In a statement, Sorum said:

"Dear friends and lovers of great rock. Lost the great Mitch Mitchell yesterday. The last surviving member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience band. He was an exceptional drummer that helped shape the sound of Hendrix.

"I had the plessure of meeting him a few times. I asked him once what he was thinking when he played the groove to Manic Depression. A jazzy, almost Latin-type feel… a circular, moving piece of music. He told me Hendrix said: 'Mitch, just think Africa, man.'

"His influences were jazz greats Elvin Jones and Max Roach. He not only played with Hendrix but also greats such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, John Lennon and Muddy Waters.

"Next time you put on Electric Ladyland, Axis: Bold As Love or Are You Experienced?, listen to the pure musicianship of one of the greatest drummers of all time.

"God bless Mitch Mitchell!"

US medical test have now revealed that Mitchell, 61, died of natural causes.