Rock was always part of my heart and soul. But the times just changed and everybody wanted to dance.

I take jobs with people I admire, people with incredible talent who aren't necessarily big sellers.

There's nothing more exciting than playing live for the people. Just play it, just do it.

I've known the glory of the stage and the glory of the spotlight. I still crave it. I want to be on 'American Bandstand' and 'Soul Train' as a solo artist. As a producer, songwriter and arranger, I help other artists say what they want to say. But on my records, I say what I want to say.

I wanted to be Jimi Hendrix's drummer when I was in high school, but I graduated in 1970, the year he died.

I just want to play for the people, give my new sound to them, and encourage them and be encouraged by people.

To be a superstar is incredible pressure. And also in our country, I'm going to speak about this, America. We have a way of kind of making it hard on our superstars. I don't sense it when I go to Europe or I go to Japan.