65 Quotes by Rick Rubin

He is playing guitar because he wrote the songs on the guitar, and the essence of the song is contained in that performance. As far as the new album goes, there was no attempt to recapture anything.

He is one of the few people who can get on a stage in an arena in front of any audience anywhere in the world and and play original songs for hours (that) everyone would be familiar with and sing along to. The list of people whose music has this power could be counted on one hand, tops.

I think that American V may be my favorite of all of the albums in the American series. It's different from the others, it has a much different character. I think that this is as strong an album as Johnny ever made.

I think he can always have a career making music. People will always be interested in what he does, ... Regardless of any other things going on in their lives, people are always interested by the great acts, and there's no questions he's one of the greats. Regardless of anything else going on, he's still Michael Jackson.

Johnny said that recording was his main reason for being alive. And I think it was the only thing that kept him going, the only thing he had to look forward to.

When Neil would play and sing, it changed his relationship to the song. One feels more of a sense of authorship. By playing guitar, Neil controls the rhythm and feel of the songs. It also changes the way he sings them, and it becomes a more pure musical act.

Unfortunately for Wal-Mart, we're still not seeing the trading up effect.

Early in his career, he was looked at more as a singer/songwriter, ... As time went on, he was viewed more as a cabaret artist. I missed that image of the singer/songwriter.

These songs are Johnny's final statement. They are the truest reflection of the music that was central to his life at the time. This is the music that Johnny wanted us to hear.