Introduction to Noel Redding
Noel Redding was an English musician best known as the bassist for the legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience. Though his time in the limelight was short, Redding made an indelible impact as part of one of the most groundbreaking rock trios of the 1960s.
Redding was born in Folkestone, Kent, England in 1945. From a young age he was drawn to music, learning to play guitar, mandolin and recorder as a child. After seeing the popularity of the electric bass in bands like The Beatles, he switched focus to the bass guitar as a teenager.
In 1966, Redding met guitarist Jimi Hendrix at an audition in London. Though Hendrix was originally seeking more experienced musicians, he was impressed by Redding’s energy and style. Hendrix invited Redding to form a trio, along with drummer Mitch Mitchell, which would become the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
As the bassist for the Experience, Redding provided a perfect complement to Hendrix’s unbridled creativity and Mitchell’s jazz-influenced drumming. Though less famous than his bandmates, Redding was an essential part of the group’s revolutionary psychedelic hard rock sound.
Joining the Jimi Hendrix Experience
In late 1966, Noel Redding received a call from Chas Chandler, who had recently become Jimi Hendrix’s manager. Chandler asked Redding to come to London for a jam session with Hendrix, who had just arrived in England and was looking to form a power trio in the vein of Cream and The Who. Though a guitarist himself, Redding decided to audition on bass, as he had a sense that Hendrix was looking for a specific sound.
When the two musicians met and started playing together, the creative chemistry was immediate. Redding’s solid yet melodic bass lines perfectly complemented Hendrix’s wildly inventive guitar playing. After jamming together, Hendrix decided to ask Redding to join his new band The Jimi Hendrix Experience, along with drummer Mitch Mitchell.
With Redding on bass, the Jimi Hendrix Experience had a uniquely powerful and dynamic sound that helped fuel their rapid rise. Redding’s R&B-influenced playing style gave the band a deep, propulsive groove on tracks like "Purple Haze" and "Fire." His basslines moved nimbly underneath Hendrix’s guitar innovations, providing rhythmic counterpoints but also supporting accents and fills. This interplay between Hendrix and Redding was an essential ingredient in the Experience’s revolutionary psychedelic hard rock aesthetic that electrified audiences and left critics in awe.
Key Recordings with the Experience
As bassist for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Redding played on some of the most iconic and influential rock albums of the 1960s. He was an integral part of the band’s revolutionary debut album Are You Experienced, released in 1967. Redding laid down memorable bass lines on psychedelic rock classics like "Purple Haze," "Manic Depression," and "The Wind Cries Mary." His expertly locked-in grooves with drummer Mitch Mitchell were essential to the power trio’s sound.
Redding also contributed standout bass work to the Experience’s 1967 follow up Axis: Bold as Love. His nimble, melodic bass punctuated Hendrix’s innovative guitar wizardry on cuts like "Spanish Castle Magic" and "Little Wing." Redding also received a rare songwriting co-credit on the track "She’s So Fine."
In 1968, Redding played on the sprawling double album Electric Ladyland. His bass can be heard anchoring epic jams like "Voodoo Chile" and "1983…(A Merman I Should Turn to Be)." Redding also sang lead vocals on "Little Miss Strange," showing off his talents as both a bassist and vocalist.
Though short-lived, Redding’s tenure in the Jimi Hendrix Experience resulted in some of the most groundbreaking recordings in rock. His bass playing was crucial in shaping the band’s psychedelic hard rock sound, which blended elements of blues, R&B, jazz, and early heavy metal. Redding brought melodicism and groove to perfectly complement Hendrix’s guitar wizardry.
Redding’s Bass Playing Style
Noel Redding brought a unique melodic and groovy bass guitar style to the Jimi Hendrix Experience that perfectly complemented Jimi’s innovative guitar work. While self-taught, Redding was heavily influenced by the bass lines of soul, R&B, and blues music. This gave his playing a smooth, funky rhythmic quality that could anchor a song or take off on improvised riffs.
Rather than just keeping time, Redding played bass in a more lead role, weaving bouncy, syncopated parts that intertwined with Hendrix’s guitar. His free-flowing style involved a lot of runs up and down the neck of the bass. This fluid, improvisational approach matched well with Hendrix’s own experimental guitar playing.
At the same time, Redding knew when to simplify his bass lines to let Hendrix’s solos take center stage. His restraint and sense of dynamics allowed the two to play off each other. Redding created openings for Hendrix’s guitar pyrotechnics to shine through while also driving the rhythm forward. The fusion of Redding’s soulful grooves with Hendrix’s rock innovations produced a genre-redefining sound.
Though an underrated songwriter, Redding also contributed memorable bass hooks on Jimi Hendrix Experience songs like "Fire" and "Crosstown Traffic." His signature melodic riffs are a key part of the band’s iconic tracks. Redding’s pulsating rhythms gave Hendrix’s cosmic guitar flights a grounding in funk and R&B. As a unit, the two expanded the sonic possibilities of their instruments. Noel Redding’s flowing, improvisational bass style was crucial in establishing the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s revolutionary sound.
Songwriting and Other Contributions
Redding brought more to the Jimi Hendrix Experience than just his bass playing talents. He also contributed as a songwriter, lending his creativity to some of the band’s most memorable tracks.
Redding received co-writing credits on songs like "She’s So Fine" and "Little Miss Strange" from the 1968 album Axis: Bold as Love. His infectious, grooving bass line opens "She’s So Fine," complementing the slinky guitar work from Hendrix. Redding also came up with the tongue-in-cheek lyrics poking fun at groupies. On the dreamy "Little Miss Strange," his songwriting talents shine on the verses and bridge sections that provide a whimsical counterpoint to Hendrix’s distorted guitar explorations during the chorus.
Beyond the songs he officially co-wrote, Redding contributed ideas and bass parts that became essential elements of Experience songs. His creative bass playing could be melodic and smooth at times, driving and funky at others. Redding provided a solid rhythmic foundation for Hendrix’s innovative guitar sounds to build upon and interact with. The interplay between Redding’s bass and Hendrix’s guitar was a hallmark of the Experience’s legendary live performances.
Though his songwriting and other contributions were overshadowed by Hendrix’s brilliance and showmanship, Redding brought his own creative flair. His talents helped make the Jimi Hendrix Experience much more than just a backing band for a guitar god. Redding’s broad musicianship was an integral part of the magic formula that made the Experience one of the most groundbreaking trios in rock history.
Redding’s Relationship with Jimi Hendrix
Redding and Hendrix first connected in 1966 when Hendrix moved to London and was looking to form a new band. According to Redding in later interviews, the two had an instant musical chemistry and bond when they first jammed together. Redding was impressed by Hendrix’s innovative guitar playing style and songwriting, while Hendrix appreciated Redding’s solid rhythmic sense and melodic bass lines. This creative synergy was a key ingredient in the Jimi Hendrix Experience coming together.
In the first couple years playing together, Redding and Hendrix developed a close friendship on top of their musical rapport. They spent time together off-stage, exploring the London music scene. Redding said Hendrix was like a brother to him in those early days. However, tensions began arising by 1968 as the band gained more fame and Hendrix embraced more of a rock star lifestyle. Redding felt Hendrix’s perfectionism in the studio became overbearing and he was not properly credited for his songwriting contributions.
By 1969, the personal and musical disagreements reached a breaking point, and Redding decided to leave the Jimi Hendrix Experience. He was becoming overshadowed by Hendrix and felt restricted creatively. In later interviews, Redding expressed frustration over the direction Hendrix was taking and said he never received the credit he deserved as an equal partner. However, he always maintained great respect for Hendrix’s innovations as a guitarist and songwriter. Redding reflected that Hendrix struggled to handle the pressures and excesses of fame, but that "his talent was undeniable." Though their time playing together was short, the musical bond between Redding and Hendrix created timeless rock classics.
Post-Experience Projects
After leaving the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1969, Noel Redding explored new musical directions with various bands and solo work. He formed The Noel Redding Band in the early 1970s, blending hard rock with folk influences. The band released two studio albums, 1972’s The Cloaked Friar and 1974’s The Woke/Broke Ash Can Flat Broke. Key songs included "Lady of the Mountain," "The Cloaked Friar King Earl Bookhour," and "Black Velvet."
Redding also released a solo album in 1975 titled The Cloaked Friar, a concept album telling the story of the fictional medieval character Cloaked Friar King Earl Bookhour. It incorporated jazz fusion, psychedelic and progressive rock elements.
Beyond his own projects, Redding collaborated with several other artists. He played with blues singer Carol Grimes in the band Road Mortlake and was part of Eric Burdon’s backing band Butts Band in the mid-1970s. Redding also did session work and live performances with musicians like Stray, Jon Lord, Neil Landon, and Debbie Bonham over the years. While his post-Experience work did not achieve the same level of mainstream success, it demonstrated Redding’s continued creativity and versatility as a bassist, songwriter and collaborator across different genres.
Critical Reception
Redding’s musical work outside of the Jimi Hendrix Experience received mixed reviews from critics and fans. His albums with The Noel Redding Band in the early 1970s showcased his interest in exploring new genres like jazz fusion and progressive rock. However, some felt the band did not live up to the high standard set by his previous trio with Hendrix.
Music publications like Rolling Stone and Melody Maker gave lukewarm assessments of The Noel Redding Band’s albums, praising Redding’s continued solid bass playing but critiquing the songwriting and musicianship compared to his work with Hendrix. Fans of the Experience also tended to see his new music as a letdown.
Redding’s first solo album, The Cloaked Friar, was seen as more of an artistic success. Released in 1975, it found Redding branching out into quirky concept rock and showed off his capabilities as a songwriter. However, it was still viewed as lacking the spark that Redding exhibited with the Experience.
Overall, critics generally judged his post-Experience output as talented but never reaching the creative heights he hit playing alongside Hendrix. Redding’s legacy became confined to his foundational role in the Jimi Hendrix Experience, even as he strived to explore new musical directions later in his career. His skills as a bassist were undisputed, but the reviews indicated his songwriting and performing was at its peak when paired with Hendrix’s singular talent.
Later Years and Death
In the decades after leaving the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Noel Redding continued to work as a musician, though his output slowed from his heyday in the 1960s. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he would occasionally go out on short tours where he would play Jimi Hendrix Experience songs as well as some of his solo material. He also did some session work as a bass player for other artists during this time period.
Redding kept a relatively low profile through the 80s and 90s, rarely giving interviews or making public appearances. However, he stayed involved in the world of music, sometimes collaborating with other musicians on projects. He also attended events celebrating the music and legacy of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
In the early 2000s, Redding began preparing new solo material and was making plans to go back into the studio, though he was unable to complete a new album prior to his death. Tragically, Noel Redding died suddenly in 2003 at the age of 57. According to reports, he died from cirrhosis of the liver due to years of heavy drinking.
Redding’s death cut short his plans for more music, and tragically ended the life of a man who had been such an influential part of rock history. Though his later years were quieter and more low-key compared to his fame in the 60s, he continued playing music until the end of his life. His death marked the loss of the last surviving member of the original Jimi Hendrix Experience lineup.
Legacy and Influence
Noel Redding left behind an influential legacy and is remembered as an underrated talent in rock history. Though his time in the limelight was short, his contributions as part of the Jimi Hendrix Experience helped cement him as a legendary bassist.
Many music critics and fellow musicians have offered high praise for Redding’s playing. His melodic, groovy bass lines added crucial rhythmic elements to the Experience’s songs. Redding knew how to enhance Hendrix’s guitar work while still standing out with his own flair. His improvisational interplay with Mitch Mitchell on drums was also a key part of the band’s live energy. While Hendrix was clearly the frontman, Redding brought his own creative stamp.
Beyond his musicianship, Redding helped broaden the band’s songwriting palette. He has co-writing credits on Experience tracks like "She’s So Fine" and "Little Miss Strange." This showed he could craft catchy pop melodies to complement Hendrix’s rock instincts. Redding also sang backing vocals and occasionally took lead, proving his versatility.
Though the Experience burned bright and fast, their influence continues to be felt. Redding’s bass work on iconic albums like Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland inspired countless musicians. He demonstrated how to fuse rock, blues, and R&B into an electrifying psychedelic stew. For any bassist who values melodic lines, syncopation, and holding down the groove, Redding set an influential standard.
Within Hendrix lore, Redding holds an esteemed position as an original member of the Experience trio. His name and image are still associated with Hendrix’s legacy in a way few other collaborators can match. Memorabilia from Redding’s time in the band, like vintage posters and concert photos, have become prized collector’s items. New generations of Hendrix fans have continued to discover his work.
Redding’s talents may have been overshadowed by Hendrix’s brilliance, but he still earned the respect of icons like Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton. When Redding died in 2003, tributes poured in celebrating his life in music. He is remembered as a pioneer of melodic rock bass and for having the chops to keep up with one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Even decades later, Redding’s legacy is secure thanks to his essential role in one of rock’s most legendary groups.