Once I was in the city, I really enjoyed it. Just to experience things. There was so much new stuff.

Second records aren't usually very good. Even Bob Dylan's was a bit disappointing.

I had my guitar and some talent so that I could make friends with intelligent people and could talk my way out of difficult situations.

I love playing to people and seeing them react.

I've always loved singing. I find it exhilarating.

Seeing how those companies operate, it didn't amount to a massive vote of confidence in their artists. There was talk of me going to Columbia after that, but nothing happened. I got disillusioned, and I pulled back.

My father's record collection was full of New Orleans music of all kinds. I used to listen to the radio in New York, and all there was on it at the time was Madonna and Michael Jackson, so it sort of passed me by.