The Jimi Hendrix Experience Animals bassist, Chas Chandler, formed a backing band with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell. Mitchell was a seasoned London drummer formerly with Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames. Hendrix chose Redding because of his attitude towards music and his hairstyle. Redding had been a guitar player until that time, but played bass in the band. The name "The Jimi Hendrix Experience" was coined by their business manager Michael Jeffery. The first official appearance of "The Jimi Hendrix Experience" (invited by French singer Johnny Hallyday) was at the "Novelty" in Évreux, France, on October 13, 1966. Six days later
Smash Hits (The Jimi Hendrix Experience album) Smash Hits (The Jimi Hendrix Experience album) Smash Hits is a compilation album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Track Records first issued it on April 12, 1968, in the UK and included all four of the group's singles (eight "sides") released up to that time, plus four additional songs from the UK edition of "Are You Experienced". Reprise Records did not issue the album in the US until July 30, 1969, and it included some different tracks. It included two songs from "Electric Ladyland" and a stereo version of "Red House" from a different session than the original mono take