Former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing has revealed that his ultimate Rock God would be the late and great legend Jimi Hendrix in a new interview.
Speaking on BBC’s The Rock Show With Johnnie Walker, the KK’s Priest rocker chose the ‘Bold As Love’ singer for their ‘Rock God’ segment while fondly recalling the time he went to see the iconic music legend play no less than six times.
“I first saw Jimi at Coventry Theatre way back in 1967, and what an amazing night that was,” he recalled.
“I was lucky enough to see Jimi no less than six times, including his two appearances at the Royal Albert Hall [in February 1969].
“And yes, I was out there, at the stage door, autograph hunting. I was really lucky — Jimi arrived, and I managed to get his autograph, which was a real treat.
Downing continued: “I absolutely must tell the story about the Isle Of Wight festival where Jimi was performing [in August 1970].
“Myself and a friend cunningly worked our way back to the dressing room area, which was outside, but Jimi, Noel and Mitch were in a caravan that they were using for a dressing room. And me and my friend, we hinged the window up and there they were, the three of the Experience around a table with a couple of ladies.
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“And myself and my mate, we managed to get a drumstick from Mitch and a Coke bottle that Jimi had just finished drinking a beverage from, and that was a real highlight of my whole life.”
He continued: “Jimi could absolutely stir any audience up into a complete frenzy; they would jump from the balconies and they would rush the stage. And I know, because I was one of those fans that did just that.”
It’s not surprising that Downing would pick Hendrix, as he has regularly been hailed as a pioneer during the peak of his fame during the late sixties, his huge influence still present in much of today’s music.
Sadly, Jimi died of a drug overdose on September 18, 1970 at the age of just 27.
For more on this topic, head over to the Classic Rock Observer.
Check out ‘Voodoo Child ‘Slight Return’) by Jimi Hendrix:
