As far as I’m concerned, blues and jazz are the great American contributions to music.

I’m primarily thought of as a rocker, and certainly ‘Frankenstein’ had a very dramatic power rock image. It was almost a precursor of heavy metal and fusion. But I also love jazz and classical and if there’s one common thread that runs through all my music, it is blues.

But when I played Woodstock, I’ll never forget that moment looking out over the hundreds of thousands of people, the sea of humanity, seeing all those people united in such a unique way. It just touched me in a way that I’ll never forget.

The most profound, tangible influence in my life has been my wife, Monique. I don’t know that I would even be alive were it not for her, and I certainly would not be the person that I am today.

There’s a bootleg album that was recorded when I was 14 or 15, a compilation of things live at different clubs. Songs like Girl from Ipanema and Cry Me A River. I don’t know what the title of it is.

I can’t imagine anything more worthwhile than doing what I most love. And they pay me for it.

The mountain is high, the valley is low, and you’re confused on which way to go. So I’ve come here to give you a hand, and lead you into the promised land. So, come on and take a free ride, come on and sit here by my side, come on and take a free ride!

I'm really indebted to Johnny. He was my first musical hero. Were it not for him, things would have happened quite differently. I can envision myself as maybe a starving jazz musician. I never had any inclination towards fame or stardom. I just love music. Johnny was more ambitious and outgoing. I was the weird and quiet guy who played all the instruments.

I've always had a great love of music since childhood. It changes every day... every time you write, it's a new experience. It's a self expression.

I've not met Elvis or Jim Morrison, but Jimi Hendrix, Johnny and I used to jam at a club in New York called The Scene where the house band was the Young Rascals, so I did get to meet Jimi.