NOEL REDDING DEAD

Noel Redding, bassist for Jimi Hendrix, died last week aged 57. There were no suspicious circumstances. Redding was regarded as an accidental bassist because he originally had aspirations as a guitarist. It was only a chance meeting with The Animals’ bass guitarist Chas Chandler that lead to a chance to play with Hendrix.

With Hendrix’s flamboyance and genius, Redding found himself propelled into the high life of rock stardom. The chart hits and festival appearances followed, while Redding was reportedly not much of a rock & roll animal.

Redding completed three albums with The Jimi Hendrix Experience before the trio broke up in 1968 after problems with drugs, money, fame, touring and politics. Redding wrote two Experience songs, “She’s So Fine” and “Little Miss Strange”, but they are filler not killer.

After the band’s demise, Redding worked with Fat Mattress and the Noel Redding Band. But they didn’t have commercial or critical success. Redding still played and appeared at Hendrix-related events in the years up until his death. He also wrote “Are You Experienced?” which chronicled his life and times in the rock world.

Recommended sites: The official Jimi Hendrix Website