Almost everything I've done, I've done through my own creativity.

And, you know, I think the original recording of Ravel's Bolero, probably whoever played percussion on that, will never have It played better than that.

But I think that any young drummer starting out today should get himself a great teacher and learn all there is to know about the instrument that he wants to play.

Well, I never really practiced because I never had the opportunity to practice.

And, well of course, Count Basie, and I think all of the black bands of the late thirties and early forties, bands with real players. They had an influence on everybody, not just drummers.

I think it's a fallacy that the harder you practice the better you get.

I consider every drummer that ever played before me an influence, in every way.