Jimi Hendrix's drummer Mitch Mitchell found dead in hotel room

London, Nov 13 : Mitch Mitchell, the British drummer for the legendary Experience of the 1960s and the group's last surviving member, has been found dead in his US hotel room early Wednesday.

The 61-year-old was found in the Benson Hotel in Portland, Oregon.

Although a medical examiner claimed that the death appeared to be from natural causes but that there would be an autopsy.

Hendrix died in 1970 and the band's bassist Noel Redding died in 2003.

Londoner Mitchell had been touring with the Experience Hendrix Tour.

Janie Hendrix, chief executive of the tour and step-sister of Jimi Hendrix, paid tribute to Mitchell.

"He was a wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend," BBC quoted her, as saying. A musical pioneer, he is credited with helping to develop a "fusion" drumming style that combined rock with jazz.

He joined the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1966 and backed the rocker for his legendary performance at Woodstock three years later.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1992. According to the Hall of Fame, Mitchell was born July 9, 1947, in Ealing, England.

ANI