Mitch Mitchell, the drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead Nov. 12 in his room at the Benson Hotel in Portland, OR, apparently of natural causes, according to published reports. He was 61.

Mitchell, the Experience's last surviving member, was born in England and played with Hendrix from 1966 until the legendary performer's death in 1970.

In addition to Hendrix, Mitchell played with several renowned musicians including Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck and Muddy Waters, among others.

He recently had been performing with the Experience Hendrix Tour, which had played Friday (11/7) in Portland. It was the last stop on the West Coast leg of the tour.

The tribute tour was designed to bring together veteran musicians who had known Hendrix and younger artists, including Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who have been influenced by him. Upon hearing of the drummer's death, Shepherd said Mitchell was to the drums what Hendrix was to the guitar, according to an Associated Press report.