I am going to say something I have never said before and this is the truth. I have no reason to lie to you and God knows I am telling the truth. I think all my success and fame and I have wanted it, I have wanted it because I wanted to be loved. That's all. That's the real truth.

The most loving thing to do is to share your bed with someone.

I could compose and write music and get to share it with the masses and the people around the world and to have them to receive it so beautifully - I love that.

Just because it's in print doesn't mean it's the gospel.

It puts a smile on my face to see all the children, and all the teenagers, and the adults - the demographics - it makes my heart very, very happy. I love them. I love all the fans, very much.

James Brown, Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson, Chuck Berry and Little Richard - I think they had strong influences on a lot of people, because these were the guys who really got rock'n'roll going. I like to start with the origin of things, because once it gets along it changes. It's so interesting to see how it really was in the beginning.

Escapism and wonder is influence. It makes you feel good, and that allows you to do things. You just keep on moving ahead, and you say, 'God, is this wonderful - do I appreciate it.'