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) found on the UK version of "Are You Experienced". "Smash Hits" has been reissued several times on CD, including one paring in 1999 with the "Live at Woodstock" DVD by MCA Records. "Smash Hits" peaked at numbers four and six in the UK and US respectively. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it as 5× Multi Platinum and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) ceritifed it as Gold. 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