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Drummer Mitch Mitchell, the last surviving member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, has died.

The 61-year-old former member of the influential rock trio was found dead in a hotel room in Portland, Oregon yesterday.

Authorities said he died from natural causes.

John 'Mitch' Mitchell, from Ealing in west London, secured his place in rock and rock history after joining legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix and bass player Noel Redding in 1966.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience, which was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1992, recorded several classic albums including Are You Experienced?, Electric Ladylandand Axis: Bold As Love.

Hendrix dissolved the Experience in 1969, but Mitchell continued to play with him before his death aged 27 in 1970. They performed together at the Woodstock festival in the US.

Redding, who lived for much of his life in west Cork, died in 2003 aged 57.

Mitchell was known for his explosive drumming technique. Just before his death he had been drumming for the Experience Hendrix Tour. It performed last Friday in Portland, Oregon, on the last stop on the West Coast part of the tour.

Mitchell also played with a host of other rock legends including Eric Clapton, John Lennon, the Rolling Stones, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck and Muddy Waters.