And all I was doing was playing all those funky blues tunes and rock and roll songs I'd played with my band back in Baton Rouge in the '50s.

The first amp I had back in the '50s was a small Fender.

The first time I went to New York, I met Alan Freed.

A lot of young artists don't realize that it is a business. But the acts who survive over the years are the ones who take care of the business end of performing. Mick Jagger does it, so does Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan. They know how to sell and promote themselves and their music. They understand the financial end of this business.

I'd gone through periods where I didn't work live performances for probably seven or eight months at a time.

But I always loved songs with great lyrics.

I play my old songs but I have to keep playing new ones. That's what keeps you going.

In early '57, I bought a Fender Telecaster.

In 1965, Gibson made the red one I use now, and a black one, which was the first black 335 they ever made.

I loved playing and I was actually working two jobs.