The man who played bass but wrote Hendrix's biggest riffs
In short: Noel Redding was the backbone of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, yet his most enduring musical legacy involves a riff he wrote for someone else. From high-profile power trios to quiet life in rural Ireland, Redding’s career reveals the complex mechanics of rock stardom and creative ownership.
Redding joined Jimi Hendrix in 1966 as the second member of a landmark power trio. While he is primarily remembered as a bassist, his style was distinct: he utilized a pick for a 'trebly' sound and later incorporated fuzz and distortion through overdriven Sunn amps. He also contributed lead vocals and songwriting to tracks like 'Little Miss Strange' and 'She's So Fine.'
A significant point of contention in Redding’s legacy involves the ownership of creative ideas. In 1970, he left the Experience after Hendrix announced plans to expand the group without consulting him. Later, it was revealed that a riff Redding wrote for drummer Mitch Mitchell—intended for the song 'Dream'—was repurposed by Hendrix as the iconic opening for 'Ezy Rider.' This dynamic of shared and diverted authorship highlights the often-opaque nature of collaborative rock history.
Following his departure from the mainstream spotlight, Redding lived a varied life. He formed Fat Mattress in 1968, moved to Los Angeles to form Road in 1972, and eventually settled in Clonakilty, Ireland. There, he formed the Noel Redding Band with Eric Bell of Thin Lizzy. Despite the fame of his early years, Redding faced significant financial hurdles; he spoke openly about being cut off from profits and signed away his royalties in 1974.
Redding’s final years were marked by a return to local performance and personal tragedy. He held a pub residency for nearly 20 years before his death in 2003. His legacy persists through the Noel Redding Tribute Festival, a signature jazz bass produced by Fender based on his 1965 model, and a public memorial in his hometown of Folkestone.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Noel Redding
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