When I got to LA and was with the James Gang, I got the opportunity to write a lot, to play in front of large audiences, make some money.

I can't see. I used to wear glasses off stage. Now I'm thinking of getting a pair of contract lenses.

My family were all musicians. I really wasn't interested in school or anything.

I started on drums when I was 13 and played them for two years. Then I went to guitar for a year, played keyboards for a year and a half, and went back to guitar.

For me, practice isn't doing scales but doing things like writing, jamming with other people, or playing gigs.

When I'm with Purple, I'm totally with Purple; when I'm doing my thing, I'm totally doing my own thing.

I learned a lot about lead; you don't have to blow your cookies in the first bar. It is much harder to be simple that to be complicated during solos.