But I listen to live recordings of things that I did back in the '70s and then how I've done things since. And there's no doubt about it: if I compare the two, it's like chalk and cheese.

The studio is not the place to write. You need to be 75% ready when you go into the studio, and then the music can develop to the next stage.

I was born in 1949 - which seems like a long time ago... Actually, it is a long time ago, when I think about it.

As a songwriter, I was influenced by David Bowie - a great writer. A class above everybody in so many ways. Lennon and McCartney, of course. Class stuff. David Cousins was my favorite lyricist.

People like Frank Zappa were amazing for us Brits.

My earliest professional musical experiences were really as a session player, and every day was an adventure. Three sessions a day, every day, and you never knew who you would be working with until you arrived at the studio.

Success is buried in the garden of failure.