British rock & roll became the gospel for American kids like me.
There are a lot of cases where I'm using, if not an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar more as a rhythm instrument. Rather than blasting away, I use it to create more of an acoustic feel.
Most of us, whether we like it or not, we grow up and start having a different view of what we've done and who we are and where we're going.
Singing is the form I've chosen to express myself. It's the way I emote best.
I don't have to forsake my career as a musician. I know how to write songs - that's not going to leave me. But I think it's good to explore some other avenues.
You can't just say, 'God help me,' and he's there. It takes a little bit more work on the part of the individual, I think.
I try to remember our relative insignificance on this planet and that these seemingly important things do not mean quite as much as we think they do.
What I do is a bit broader in scope than a heavy metal band like Iron Maiden, Motorhead, ACDC and so on.
When I grew up, I had influences as diverse as Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix.
Music is cyclical, but I've never thought of the music I make as being so off the wall or left field that it wouldn't always have an audience that would relate to it.
I read one article that called me the 'latest pretender to the Led Zeppelin throne.'… If I saw the guy I'd knock him out. Because that's not true - I'm not pretending anything. If my records sell, it's because of me.
When a band retires or is In hiding, a void is created. The fans' need is still there.
I can put on 'Revolver' or 'Led Zeppelin II' and then 'Tell the Truth' and there is no quality gap.
Becoming a Top Ten artist has surprised me.
