At the end of the day it's the fans who make you who you are.

I've had a long career and I want to continue to have a long career. The way to do that is not to go away.

I don't think there are too many rock bands in history that can look at the beginning and middle and ending of themselves and see what I see when I think of Soundgarden. I think from the beginning through the middle and the end it was such a perfect ride and such a perfect legacy to leave.

My first favorite band that made music important to me was the Beatles. I was a little kid. I didn't know who was singing what song or who wrote what song.

It isn't necessary to be an untouchable rock-icon guy surrounded by bodyguards and be ushered in and out and have everyone do everything for you. It isn't necessary to change the way you present your band to the public just because you're successful. That happened a lot in the '80s: there was a school of thought that said people would like you more if you acted like you were the unattainable star.

Friends of mine that are from here or that have spent time here have told me about Israel and how warm the people are and that I should someday come here.

I feel like you're not a real musician or entertainer if you can't go into a room, pick up an instrument and entertain people.