We have to believe, as creators - just like a doctor doing heart surgery has to believe that he can save that person's life. You have to believe that your pursuit is not just a noble pursuit, but a necessary and inborn pursuit to uncover something.

You can't work on that scale without trust. I learned that from working with Robert Mapplethorpe.

I had gone to Paris to immerse myself in painting and I came back wholly involved in words and rhythms.

I'd never had people drive me around, and then all of a sudden, if a car didn't come, I'd say, "Where's my car?"

I've always considered myself a writer.

My father hated rock and roll - hated it. My first real argument with my father was over the Rolling Stones. And he never, ever liked rock and roll. He just liked me.

I think masturbating is a really important function in art. People don't like to hear that kind of stuff, but it's true.