Jimi Hendrix: Inside the Experience

by Mitch Mitchell, John A. Platt

The drummer of Hendrix's band recounts the years of the rock legend's creativity, the London club scene where he honed his craft, and the San Francisco hippie scene where he found his following

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 1990

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is less a biography about Jimi Hendrix or Mitch Mitchell so much as it makes you feel like what it must have been like to be in a band in the 1960’s. Now imagine if this band, in a ten month period, went from a situation of complete and utter poverty, to becoming one of the most important musical groups of the 20th century. As much of Jimi Hendrix’s rise to prominence happened in the U.S., Mitch seems very much an outsider trying to make sense of the social evolution occurring all around the band as they toured and played. This is of course ironic to the die-hard fan who ought to read the book, as The Jimi Hendrix Experience were central to the counterculture movement of the 1960’s.

I bought this book as I have admired Mitch’s drum-playing for over 20 years now, and have failed to ever find any instructional materials on his technique. In this, I was disappointed in the book because Mitch Mitchell seems to be more preoccupied with talking about what it was like to befriend, struggle with, succeed with, and lose his friend Jimi Hendrix, rather than explain why he e.g. might have chose to switch to two bass drums or who his drumming influences were. He does answer these drumming type questions indirectly, and, as is usually the case with a good book, one starts a book looking for one answer, only to have found even more to be curious about. Great and easy read; it took me about 8 hours to read while taking casual notes. Definitely worth it for Hendrix fans, drummers, or an untraditional account of the late 60’s music scene.

[Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fotobook met wat herinneringen van de drummer van Jimi, aangevuld met teksten van een journalist. Eigenlijk vooral een overzicht van alle tournees die Hendrix gedaan heeft. Die moeten erg uitputtend zijn geweest. Artiesten waren toen nog niet helemaal supersterren die in de watten werden gelegd, de apparatuur voor grote optredens bestond eigenlijk nog niet en de hele logistiek evenmin.

Veel wijzer over de mensen word je er niet van, behalve als je nog niet wist dat Hendrix een aardige vent moet zijn geweest die moeiteloos alle rekeningen betaalde (of eigenlijk omdat hij geen nee durfde te zeggen tegen alle vage hangers on in zijn gevolg) en die nogal uitgewoond was na 3 jaar intensief toeren. Heel persoonlijk wordt het niet. Ergens in een bijzin staat bijvoorbeeld dat Mitchell naar huis wilde, omdat zijn dochter was geboren. Dat komt dan helemaal uit de lucht vallen.

Maar ja, het gaat wel over de boeiendste periode uit de muziek en over een van de boeiendste gitaristen, en zijn drummer. En dan is het voor mij al gauw goed.

[Jean Fall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book as well as the Noel one. This one, I feel, speaks more about his own life too than the tale recounting solely over the band in Noel's. Less details but very emotional. Insightful, as expected. Retells the stories in a way that feels like you experienced the sixties era yourself.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read, fascinating photographs although I wish Jimi Corvette Stingray would be in there as described. Tours,other personalities and bands Jimi got together with.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can honestly say that this is a fun read if you are a big fan of the Jimi Hendrix Experience or Mitch Mitchell (as I am). Even then it's a nice little book on the rock and roll lifestyle of the sixties. Lots of little things that Mitch writes on are not going to be told anywhere else.
As a huge fan of Mitch's drumming, I would loved to have read more on his technique and inspirations. However, this is obviously a book on his "Experiences" with Jimi, Noel Redding, and the rest of the characters in the world of sixties rock. He comes across as a sincere, clever guy who truly cared for his band mates in the Experience. If you want an honest look at Jimi from one of his best friends, this is a good place to start.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a handful of books on Jimi Hendrix and with each one the story is somewhat skewed by the author's POV. Taken together all the material on this musical genius paint a multi dimensional picture of a complicated man. The music of Jimi Hendrix is an outpouring, an expression of his soul this man is unable to share in any other way. This book with it's lovely photos of the original Experience, tells the Jimi Hendrix story from the view of Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell as a member of the band. This book is more of a photo journal than literary masterpiece but an integral part of piecing together a complicated man's life as Mitchell peels back the covers to reveal details of Hendrix in the studio and on tour with the original Experience.

[Rob Branigin · Rating 5 out of 5]

probably a little lacking in specific detail (by today's standards, anyway), but this is still one of my favorite hendrix books. profusely illustrated and mitch's recollections are priceless.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hendrix drummer Mitchell gives us his pint of view of the Experience years , lots and lots of photo s in a nice size format .