Noel Redding (25 December 1945 – 11 May 2003) was a rock & roll guitarist but best known as the bassist for The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Born in Folkestone, Kent, England, he was selected by Chas Chandler to join Hendrix's band in 1966, and left in 1969. Although he appeared in other bands before and after Hendrix's death, he never achieved a similar level of success, and retired to Clonakilty Cork in Ireland in 1972. At nine, Noel played violin at school and then mandolin at about 12 and guitar at 14 years old.