The biggest musical influence on me was my mum. We were both enraptured by music.

Growing up in public is a test, and not many people know how to do it.

If people can finally recognize you on radio without being told who it is, thats what you aim for.

I seem to attract and be attracted to very willful, fascinating people.

I met my manager when I was 17, when I didn't have enough money to buy a set of guitar strings. There are not very many people who are looking out for you and being in business with you when you're at that stage. And it's not in my nature to think that success as a musician makes you any different from anybody else.

You've got to understand that. We all look out for Morrissey. It's a very brotherly feeling. When we first rehearsed, I'd have done anything for him. And as a person Morrissey is really capable of a truly loving relationship. Every day he's so open, so romantic and sensitive to other people's emotions.

I never took fans for granted. I always assumed subconsciously that people who followed what I did were just people who were kind of like me.