My uncle gave me a trumpet, but I loved the Louis Armstrong sound and the Harry James sound and I played by ear and I played always soulful or very direct from the gut.

I almost had to have my leg amputated because of an infection.

People just loved the sound because I kept it simple.

I'll just tell you the way it is. You ask me what time it is and I'm gonna tell you how to build a clock.

I always felt people should live with animals.

I met Leo Fender, who is the guru of all amplifiers, and he gave me a Stratocaster. He became a second father to me.

I don't claim to be a musician, I didn't go to Julliard.