Holdsworth is so damned good that I can't cop anything. I can't understand what he's doing. I've got to do this [does two-hand tapping], whereas he'll do it with one hand.

It's funny, when bands or younger musicians ask me: 'So, what does it take to make it?' Well, first explain to me what you mean by 'making it': Do you want to be a rock star or do you want music to be your livelihood?

The stainless-steel frets were a major breakthrough, because of the amount of playing and bending that I do. I have to get my guitars refretted every couple of months.

I think Clapton is brilliant. He's the only one who moved me. The only one who made me want to play the guitar.

I'm not a drunk anymore, but since they cut out my tongue, I sound drunk.

I grew up on a lot of early Beatles, DC5, Cream, Clapton, Page, Beck and Hendrix.

Every song is like a kid. How can you have that many kids and have a favorite? Which one do I like to hang most with?