Captain Beyond's Files: THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE

R.I.P. Mitch Mitchell (Jul. 9, 1946 - Nov. 12, 2008)

From Oregon-live:
Mitch Mitchell, the iconic drummer who provided the explosive heartbeat of the Jimi Hendrix Experience on rock classics including "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" and "Purple Haze," was found dead in a Portland hotel room.
Mitchell, 61, who pioneered a fusion style that allowed him and one of history's greatest guitar players to feed off each other, died of natural causes, the Multnomah County medical examiner said. He was found about 3 a.m. in his room at the Benson Hotel in downtown Portland.
Considered one of rock's greatest drummers, Mitchell was behind the kit at Hendrix's legendary sets at Woodstock, Monterey and the Isle of Wight.

This means now that ALL the members of The Jimi Hendrix Experience have died, the first time an entire '60s rock group has passed away. This is an obvious track to post, as it showcases just how intense a drummer Mitchell was. The song is short enough, but Mitchell filled every second with blistering percussion!

Here's the wiki blurb:
Despite its sexual overtones, the song had an innocuous origin, stemming from a cold New Years Eve in England after a gig, Noel Redding, bass player for The Jimi Hendrix Experience came up with the idea to have Jimi and Cathy as guests at his mother's house. Jimi asked her if he could stand next to her fireplace to warm himself, she agreed, but her Great Dane was in the way, hence the line, "Aw, move over, Rover, and let Jimi take over..." ("Electric Gypsy")

Originally, the album version of the song contained a very short and simple solo, but through several live performances, Hendrix expanded it to become one of his best. The song also features dextrous drumset work by drummer Mitch Mitchell. "Fire" was later covered by many artists, ranging from Alice Cooper to...The Red Hot Chili Peppers.