What happens if you start drawing squares? Well, I'd say the answer to that is, don't get famous for drawing circles.

Musicians from the beginning of time have been there to express the mood and the musical feelings in the air for whatever's going on in that particular culture. It's the greatest joy as a musician to be able to translate that, be part of something and watch the scenery around you.

My life was a complete catatrophe. I was very, very sick from drugs and alcohol.

As long as your intention is pure, and you know what you're in it for, then you're alright. And I'm in it because I enjoy it. I take it seriously... real seriously. I mean I could sit and talk all day about the music.

Ideally the point of music is community, not the player. Musicians are simply channels to link the audience to the music and to each other.

There are no Jerry Garcias coming down the pike, anymore than there is a Jimi Hendrix or Bob Marley. They are all at the same level - the highest level that you strive to get to as a musician. Me and my friends - we'll all be long dead, people will still be trying to dig into what Jerry Garcia did.

If there's one thing I discovered since I came back from hiatus, it's that you can't go backwards.