My mother was a very beautiful lady, I thought. She was very good to me. I guess - she died when I was nine and a half, but if she had lived I probably wouldn't be trying to play guitar. She wanted me to be known, but as something else. Not a guitar player.

Religion began as a natural explanation of the universe. The problem started when people refused to accept new evidence.

If you want to be a good blues singer, people are going to be down on you, so dress like you're going to the bank to borrow money.

If you can't get your songs to people one way, you have to find another.

It's going to be years and years before most people realize how greatly he contributed to American music.

Janis Joplin sings the blues as hard as any black person.

Playing guitar is like telling the truth.