Mitch Mitchell, an English drummer best known for his membership in The Jimi Hendrix Experience, a group that rocked the 1960s, was discovered dead in his hotel room on Wednesday morning. He was 61.

The musician was the last surviving member of the Hendrix band and had major contribution to the group’s 1967 debut album “Are You Experienced?,” as well as to subsequent albums such as 1968’s “Axis: Bold As Love” and “Electric Ladyland.”

Mitch Mitchell initiated a style of drumming characterized by interplay with lead instruments and the mixing of jazz and rock techniques. The style, which was later named fusion, was an innovative element in the world of rock, in spite of the fact that it had been used in jazz music. Noteworthy examples of Mitch Mitchell’s groundbreaking style include the tracks “Hey Joe,” “Manic Depression” and “Third Stone from the Sun.”

The drummer took part in the 2008 Experience Hendrix Tour, which had a performance stop in Portland on Friday. The tour traveled for approximately 4 weeks across the United States and gathered almost 50,000 Jimi Hendrix fans everywhere. Besides Mitchell, the tour featured Buddy Guy, Johnny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rojas, David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), Brad Whitford (Aerosmith), Hubert Sumlin, Chris Layton (Double Trouble), as well as Eric Gales and Mato Nanji (Indigenous).

Mitch Mitchell’s body was found in his hotel room by an employee at Portland’s Benson Hotel who called police after making the terrible discovery.

The other two members of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jimi Hendrix and Noel Redding, died in 1970 and 2003, respectively.

As reported by The Associated Press, Erin Patrick, a deputy medical examiner, explained that, at first glance, the drummer died of natural causes, but that an autopsy had been scheduled in order to establish the exact cause of death.

Janie Hendrix, chief executive of the Experience Hendrix Tour and Jimi Hendrix’ stepsister said that Mitch Mitchell was a “wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend,” adding that he had played a significant role in “shaping the sound of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.”

Mitch Mitchell had been in Portland for a few days and intended to leave on Wednesday, according to Bob Merlis, a spokesman for the tour.

He was part of Hendrix’s Experience trio from 1966 to 1969 and played with the 1970s revival of the band, known as the “Cry of Love,” with Billy Cox on bass.

Mitch Mitchell also collaborated with The Dirty Mac, which was assembled for The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus in 1968. Apart from the drummer, the group included John Lennon as vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Eric Clapton as guitarist and Keith Richards as bassist.