Kicked my ass when I first heard him, still does every time I hear him today. His songwriting and production were innovative as well, and when he died he was on the brink of even more innovative work, including jazz fusion with Bill Evans.

I'm so disappointed I didn't get to see him. A friend of mine saw him at Berkeley Community Theater when I was a kid, and just beginning to play guitar. (He's a pretty well known guitarist now, actually) and I'm so bummed I missed that show. I've collected every record I can find of his. His family is still releasing things.

He took guitar to places that others can only imitate, but never hope to reach, let alone exceed. True soul.

i once asked Leilani if she knew Hendrix, because I figure the otter knows just about everyone on Earth, so she grins and says, well, her best friend who lives out in California used to be girlfriend to Mitch Mitchelson...
So i asked who that is and he was Jimi's drummer. :D

so yeah, lets just assume Lani's connected to the whole music scene somehow lol.

Yep, his drummer in the original Experience.

Pretty cool, I'm two away from the guitar GOAT. :D

looks like three to me.

closer than you. =P

I wouldn't claim otherwise.

Jimmy Page would like a word with you about that.

As would David Gilmour and Eddie Van Halen.

uhoh, dont even.
Jimi MADE Eddie and David.
they even SAID so.

That still leaves Page...

They're not even CLOSE in terms of overall range of creativity or innovation, as good as they may be at what they've done.