You bring up the name Jimi Hendrix and nearly everyone has a story to share. They either knew someone that played with him or hit the instrument due to an extremely strong influence. KK Downing was completely taken over by the Seattle based guitar player. One problem. In order to be recognized as a leader in Metal he couldn't dive into anything that sounded like Hendrix. He forced himself to stay completely out of focus and put his own design on what would become Judas Priest.