I remember one particular occasion when I hadn't played a solo for, quite literally, a couple of months. And I was asked to play a solo on a rock & roll thing. I played it and felt that what I'd done was absolute crap. I was so disgusted with myself that I made my mind up that I had to get out of it. It was messing me right up.

The guitar to me, from the classical/gut-string guitar right through to Hendrix, et cetera, has all the range [of sound]. Within those six strings it is incredible what one can get sound-wise. It's just down to imagination, really.

If you're working at the factory and you're cursing every day that you get up, at all costs get out of it. You'll just make yourself ill.

I'm not afraid of death. That is the greatest mystery of all. That'll be it, that one. But it is all a race against time.

No. I usually rest in my satin-lined coffin, actually. I'm not allowed out in daylight hours.

I suggested back in 1980 to do a chronological live album, but there wasn't that much enthusiasm for it.

My guitar style was developed during that 10-year period. That's me. That's the way I play, and I don't wish to play any other way. Our own individual identities are firmly stamped on this album.