I had spent many years pursuing excellence, because that is what classical music is all about... Now it was dedicated to freedom, and that was far more important.

The Beatles are lucky, very lucky. But what has happened to them has nothing to do with them, in a sense. They came along at the right time. Attention was focused on them. They've had the chance to grow in almost any direction they wanted. Very lucky. They are not exceptionally talented.

If I want to take a particular form of blues somewhere else I have the equipment to do it but I never even thought of it.

There's no excuse for the young people not knowing who the heroes and heroines are or were.

When I choose material for an album all these songs I grew up with pour into my head.

What kept me sane was knowing that things would change, and it was a question of keeping myself together until they did.

I would like a man now who is rich, and who can give me a boat - a sailboat. I want to own it and let him pay for it. My first love is the sea and water, not music. Music is second.