10 Reasons Why Noel Redding Was Cool

Noel Redding, the British musician most famous for playing bass in The Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead at his home in Ireland on Sunday (May 11). It is not known how the 57-year-old died. Redding is survived by his companion (or, as he liked to refer to her, his "lady") Deborah McNaughton.

McNaughton expressed her sorrow over Redding's passing on the Track Records website, saying "Noel was an extremely gentle and gracious soul. He had a kind of chivalry and nobility about him and he was kind to everyone bar non, people and animals alike."

Rather than dwelling in the sadness of Redding's untimely passing, ChartAttack would like to present our list of the top 10 reasons why Noel Redding was cool:

1. We don't want to down play his musical achievements, but back in the day, the man had freakin' amazing hair. Redding's gigantic white man afro will forever go down in rock 'n' roll history.

2. Although he played bass in the Experience (from 1966 to 1969), Redding was first and foremost a guitar player. He later played with bands including Fat Mattress, Road and The Noel Redding Band.

3. He wrote a couple of songs for The Experience, including "She's So Fine" and "Little Miss Strange." He also took credit for the end bit of "Foxey Lady."

4. In the early '90s he wrote a book detailing his time with Hendrix, called Are You Experienced?

5. Despite his contribution to The Experience, Redding was doing legal battle with the Hendrix estate over unpaid royalties. Last year he told Billboard.com that he resented his lack of money (in the '70s he reportedly had to sell the bass he played with Hendrix because he needed the cash), "but there again, I'm still playing, thank God. That's the main thing."

6. Back in the day, Redding reportedly had quite a way with the ladies. He was an early flame of both Pamela Des Barres and Cynthia Plaster Caster (who made a cast of him) — both women have commented on how gentlemanly he was.

7. Before joining The Experience Redding auditioned to become the guitar player in The Animals. He didn't make it, but that's still pretty cool.

8. Despite playing sideman to Hendrix's starpower, Redding certainly had a mind of his own while playing with The Experience. His fights with Hendrix were legendary — on one occasion Hendrix was sent to prison after a hotel room row with Redding left the room in shambles. Redding eventually quit The Experience in '69, tired of being on the road and living in Hendrix's shadow.

9. Listen to his playing. It's awesome.

10. After his rock career quieted down, Redding took up residence in rural Ireland, preferring the quiet life to big city rock 'n' roll excesses.