Jeez handags at dawn (again) ;)
Get a good Hendrix compilation (that covers the majority of his career) and give it a try you may be surprised (I hate the Starspangled Banner version he did, but adore the 'jam' the band had during the same set)
As for bluses theres so much variation, you will probably find somthing you like (but it may take a while), personally I like the Chicago blues (for the aggression) and acoustic blues, though I find Robert Johnston too hard to listen to as it's too angst ridden and personal for me.
As for Clapton, I agree that Hendrix was in a different class, but I loved his playing up to the end of Blind Faith (Cream wasn't Clapton it was the three of them).
Remember Hendrix redefined what you where 'allowed to do' on a guitar and to me the only other player that was near the same level was Jeff Beck who is still redefining guitar playing, but if you heard the 'wrong' album first you probably wouldn't think much of his playing style.
Give almost every form and of music a listen (except for that JD sh1te & Emo of course)
Rob...
