It’s very difficult for me to dislike an artist. No matter what he’s creating, the fact that he’s experiencing the joy of creation makes me feel like we’re in a brotherhood of some kind… we’re in it together.
As far as music school goes, I walked through Berkelee one time.
I never have any trouble playing anything I can think of. The trouble is thinking of what to play.
I went through a struggle, and I really needed to get myself together and connect with my purpose, which is music.
Forget about upholding the tradition and just play who you really are.
I had spent many years pursuing excellence, because that is what classical music is all about… Now it was dedicated to freedom, and that was far more important.
It was when I found out I could make mistakes that I knew I was on to something.
A series of vibrations. What does it matter, the source of the catalyst?
My role as a drummer is as a team player to enhance what is going on around me.
The guitar is just a wonderful instrument. It’s everything: a bartender, a psychiatrist, a housewife. It’s everything, but it’s elusive.
You must surrender whatever preconceptions you have about music if you’re really interested in it.
You blows who you is.
You can’t listen to what people who aren’t musical have to say. When Anytime was released, I had bad reviews, and at first I was hurt. Your songs are like your children. You don’t want to hear, ‘Your kid is ugly.’ But I knew the record was good and it would sell.
I’ve seen myself on those lists of the 100 best guitarists, and if they think that I’m that good, thank them. Thank God for them. But I don’t think so.
Music’s been around a long time, and there’s going to be music long after Ray Charles is dead. I just want to make my mark, leave something musically good behind. If it’s a big record, that’s the frosting on the cake, but music’s the main meal.
I never practice my guitar. From time to time I just open the case and throw in a piece of raw meat.
Lionel Richie told me forget about the critics. But if you come back with hit after hit, you don’t have to worry about anything.
The saxophone is an imperfect instrument, especially the tenor and soprano, as far as intonation goes. The challenge is to sing on an imperfect instrument that is outside of your body.
I’ve studied all my musical life, but learning is only good if you do something constructive with it.
Bass players are always the intellectual kind, but nobody knows it.
Only play what you hear. If you don’t hear anything, don’t play anything.
