Music, you know, true music not just rock 'n' roll, chooses you.

The whole point of American culture is to pick up any old piece of trash and make it shine with more facets than the Hope Diamond.

Good rock 'n' roll is something that makes you feel alive. It's something that's human, and I think that most music today isn't. ... To me good rock 'n' roll also encompasses other things, like Hank Williams and Charlie Mingus and a lot of things that aren't strictly defined as rock 'n' roll. Rock 'n' roll is an attitude, it's not a musical form of a strict sort. It's a way of doing things, of approaching things. Writing can be rock 'n' roll, or a movie can be rock 'n' roll. It's a way of living your life.

The thing is that, they all had real strong personalities and real distinct identities, and I don't find most of the groups that are coming out now really do.

Sometimes I think nothing is simple but the feeling of pain.

I've always believed the New Left is rank.

The Mekons are the most revolutionary group in the history of rock 'n' roll.