As I understand it, he invented the electric guitar as we know it; and also essentially invented multitrack recording. Wouldn't that give him the right to be a jerk? (or maybe, if you're a traditional folk purist, that makes him a jerk.)

Don't forget, he's old. I'm 61 and I remember Mary Ford's hits that he did being on the radio when I was in grade school. That means he grew up when what are now considered "incredibly offensive sexist" attitudes were the norm. After a certain age, you get sick of trying to keep changing your societal attitudes to conform to what the current standards of political correctness require. If you're wealthy, that makes you a charming eccentric. If you aren't, that makes you an evil old man. I'm on my way to the same state, and I'm not wealthy. I kind of look forward to it.

Peter.