Noel Redding, Jimi Hendrix's bassist for much of his career in the late 1960s, has been found dead at the comparatively young age of 57.
Billboard's obituary for Redding states:
Rock musician Noel Redding, best known for his stint as the bassist of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead yesterday (May 11) at his home in Ireland of unknown causes, his manager Ian Grant has confirmed to Billboard.com. He was 57.Redding was in the right place at the right time to work with Hendrix, who frequently wrote and overdubbed Redding's bass parts in the studio. But Redding was the man who played them live and, as such, backed Hendrix on numerous famous concerts, including Hendrix's show stopping set at the Monterey Pop Festival, which helped to introduce Hendrix to a national audience in America, after his initial fame in England.Redding, an accomplished guitarist based in the U.K., joined Hendrix's band in 1966 and played on the three Jimi Hendrix Experience albums - writing two songs as well as playing bass - before parting ways with the legendary guitarist in 1969.
Redding also made numerous recordings with his bands Fat Mattress, Road, and the Noel Redding Band. The artist's most recent release was a live album, Live From Bunkr. Prague, which came out last year on Grant's Track Records label and included Hendrix songs. His mother reportedly died last week.
"I am very shocked to learn of my partner's death" reads a statement from Redding's companion Deborah McNaughton, posted by Grant on the Track Records Web site. "Noel was an extremely gentle and gracious soul. He had a kind of chivalry and nobility about him and he was kind to everyone bar none, people and animals alike."
In a statement from Experience Hendrix, which oversees the late guitarist's catalog, Hendrix's family said, "We at Experience Hendrix mourn the loss of Noel Redding. His contributions to the Jimi Hendrix Experience shall never be forgotten. Our prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time."
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
Damn, another one of the 60s gods slipped away from us. His mother died last week. How sad is that? Godspeed Noel . . .
2 - Jeffrey Schultz
I am deeply saddened to hear of this tremendous loss to the music world in the passing of the legendary bassist Noel Redding. As I am a bassist myself, Noel was among my favorites of all times, and he was truely an inspiration to me. A talent of his stature will never be forgotten. May his spirit soar forever more, and may be be reunited with Jimi and other of his friends and family in the life beyond this. He will be missed.
Jeffrey Schultz
3 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Jeffrey, very sweet thoughts. We sometimes hear things like, "just think what so-an-so could have done with a "better" backing band, but ususally when we do hear them with a "better" band, there is more loss than gain (John Fogerty, Alice Cooper, Hendrix, the various Beatles, etc.)
4 - Bob O
In addition to being a phenomenal bass player, Noel was a genuinely sweet guy, and a gentleman to all he met. When my friends met him at the Haight Ashbury Street fair, which his band headlined a few years back, they were thrilled that he smoked a jay with them. Then, a couple of years ago, while i was travelling in Ireland, i heard about a Friday night jam that Noel ran at a pub in Clonakilty, Co. Cork. I went down there to check it out, and sure enough, Friday night was Noel Redding Night at DeBarra's Pub. He and his band, many of them young & up and coming musicians, ROCKED OUT. Unlike his San Francisco gig, he didn't play any Hendrix, but satified the crowd with a couple sets of mostly rockabilly numbers, throwing in a couple of Fleetwood Mac and John Lennon covers. I believe he played "Not Fade Away" that night. A good time was had by all, and Noel was kind enough to greet anyone who wanted a photo or an autogragh. "Electric Ladyland" is forever etched in my mind and soul. Back in the '70s, it was one of a couple of 8 Track tapes (including Van Morrison's "Tupelo Honey") that i used to let loop around over and over again in my car stereo, without ever getting tired of it. Rest In Peace, Noel. We lost you far too soon, but in our hearts you will Not Fade Away...
5 - Eric Olsen
Very interesting and touching tribute Bob, thanks!
6 - Jeff MacGyver
RIP Noel. I guess you have to switch up with John E. on Bass, in that Great Rock and Roll Band, up there somewhere, on the eternal road of tours. Godspeed Noel and thank you so much for the music.
7 - John Gray
I AM 47 YEARS YOUNG NOW. I WONDER HOW FAR JIMI,NOEL & MITCH WOULD OF ADVANCED IF JIMI WOULD OF SURVIVED?? I AM SICK TO HEAR OF NOEL'S PASSING AND BID HIM A GOOD VOYAGE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD, WHERE JIMI ENTERTAIN'S GOD AND HIS ANGELS!!DON'T YOU KNOW!! THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE WAS THE BEST BAND THERE EVER WAS AND WILL EVER BE!! I LOVE YOU GUY'S AND HANG TOUGH!! THANK'S FOR THE RIDE JIMI & NOEL AND A THANK YOU TO MITCH!!! GODSPEED MY HERO'S OF THE REAL WORLD!! HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON??? JOHN GRAY CANTON OKLAHOMA
8 - Kent Mackey
Noel Redding's bass playing (along with Mitch Mitchell's drumming) were a BIG part of what made the Experience such an amazing act.
It's really a pity Noel is gone but he certainly left his mark and must have had an amazing time doing it.
Fly on brother
9 - keith harris
Having been out of touch it was a blow to read of Noel's passing. He once, with his band the Noel Redding Band, backed me up on stage at Clonakilty, shortly after he and myself returned to the UK from Boston, USA, but not together!
The Great Gig in the sky just keeps on getting bigger.
keith
10 - james mabley
Nobody can ever take away what they have done. Jimis' music will live on forever. It is still as fresh today as it was 40 years ago. Bach and all of the others like him except for the Beatles floyd and mahavishnu in modern music sound as fresh today as it did then. That is an accomplishment in itself. Not only was jimi the most creative electric guitarist ever the passion in his playing was unsurpassed. There may have been some faster but never as soulful. Jimi tapped the spirit of the music and who knows if he was hell bent on just trying to play shread with his inate talent the sky was the limit.
11 - gegg
meh