Hendrix was a real big influence on me. His playing was so far-reaching. It never seemed like I could get there. I still can't. It's a mystery to me. I've heard stories about him throwing speaker cabinets into water to get sounds on "Electric Ladyland." Was he crazy or was he great? When you start playing guitar, Hendrix is where you go. He went further back and started with the older blues, but now you start with him. Kids may listen to Van Halen or Vai when they start playing, but eventualIy Hendrix works into the mix. No one calls his playing ancient or old. The songs are contemporary. His stuff still gets played in the mix of contemporary rock stations. All the things he sang about are relevant today.