Noel Redding

One of the most memorable encounters of my life took place on april 6th and 7th of 2002, with Noel Redding (Born Folkestone dec. 25th 1945, passed away May 11th 2003), former bassplayer of the legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience. (on the right, see picture of the album Are you experienced, released in 1967).

To explain why this was so special I should go back in time, when I was about 9 or 10 years old.

Being Benjamin of our family, the good part was, that my older brother and sisters always came home with the latest music and fashion, so I had it all displayed right before me without having to move one step. Especially the music back in the late 60's was something that I have picked up then and never let go. Santana, Pink Floyd, Muddy Waters, Joe Cocker the list is longer than I can remember now. But there was one gentleman who had it all : Jimi Hendrix. I will come back to my love for Jimi's music in a later blog. Fact of the matter is that so many years later 'with a little help from my friends' musicians from Switzerland, the US, Belgium and Holland, I fullfilled a long time dream, to record a Jimi Hendrix tribute album, which I did in May 2001.

One of the guitarists participating was Marcel Aeby from Switzerland. He'd played with Buddy Miles, Noel Redding, my God he knew them all. So I dare ask Marcel, Noel's telephone number to send him a raw copy of the tapes and asked him if he's made the liner notes for the final CD, which to my big surprise he did. Even bigger surprise when I asked Noel to join us for the release party April 6th 2002 and he accepted.

Telephone conversation somewhere in March 2002 to confirm he'd be coming over:

Phil: 'Hi Noel'

Noel: 'Hi mate'

Phil: 'Noel I can arrange your flights and you will be picked up by our driver who will bring you to Maastricht'

Noel: 'Just tell me when to be where, I'll hop on the plane and meet you at the venue'

Phil: ' Any particular services you will need?'

Noel: 'No nothing in particular, oh yeah Holland-ey, make sure I get a good reefer'

Noel arrived at 16.00 hrs at La Bonbonniere in Maastricht. I was nervous and shaking like a leaf. I was about to meet the right hand of God, haha, in person, alive. But rarely in my life have a met a person more gentle, co-operating and easy going as this guy, who could've had an attitude of an unbearable superstar, but was as humble as the nextdoor kid. This is probably what struck me most.

We did a soundcheck with Marcel Aeby on guitars and Marcus Weymaere on drums, myself on vocals. I was dreaming. Noel doing the backing vocals on Stone Free and I stood there singing more from my soul then I probably ever did and ever will. The evening show was tremendous, also Jan Akkerman participated (one of the next blogs will be dedicated to him) and even now 5 years later people in the streets of Maastricht spontaneousely still start talking to me about that night.

Noel stayed in the MABI Hotel in Maastricht, even signed the celebrities corner on the wall and thanked me for the wonderful night. Oh yeah he should thank me alright, no no, it was definitely the other way around, but that was typical for his kindness and gentle nature.

We should have done the Hendrix Files tour in 2003 with Noel, it was all prepared and everybody was really looking forward to it, including Steve 'Luke' Lukather of Toto. But sadly we had to say goodbye to Noel in May 2003. I was really sad about it, but hey, I have had the once of a lifetime experience to meet and play with him and will cherish those memories forever.