I'd break out in hives if I had to sing (`Stairway to Heaven') in every show. I wrote those lyrics and found that song to be of some importance and consequence in 1971, but 17 years later, I don't know. It's just not for me. I sang it at the Atlantic Records show because I'm an old softie and it was my way of saying thank you to Atlantic because I've been with them for 20 years. But no more of `Stairway to Heaven' for me.

What I lack in style and craft, I can make up for in joy and enthusiasm. I like to be around people who are at ease so I like to think the 25-year-old would find me quite an easy-going late-middle-aged hippie.

It's not some great work of beauty and love to be a rock-and-roll singer.

I like the idea of being alone. I like the idea of often being alone in all aspects of my life. I like to feel lonely. I like to need things.

Being good isn't just about being dextrous and being flash. Being good is about being an all-round contributor in the great world of music.

Old men do it better. We're not so sensitive in certain areas.

It's a two-dimensional gig being a singer, and you can get lost in your own tedium and repetition.