Jimi Hendrix is very important. He's my idol. He sort of epitomizes, from his presentation on stage, the whole works of a rock star. There's no way you can compare him. You either have the magic or you don't. There's no way you can work up to it. There's nobody who can take his place.
I adored Freddie Mercury and Queen had a hit called Radio Gaga. That's why I love the name. Freddie was unique - one of the biggest personalities in the whole of pop music. He was not only a singer but also a fantastic performer, a man of the theatre and someone who constantly transformed himself. In short: a genius.
Man, I'm the No. 1 living and breathing rock star. I am Axl Rose; I am Jim Morrison; I am Jimi Hendrix.
Prince Rogers Nelson was the most gifted artist of the rock era. Not the greatest genius - just the most musical in the broadest sense.
Being compared to Freddie Mercury is something I've come to terms with. I don't know that I'll ever successfully avoid the comparisons, as much as I might want to. Why bother, though? People hear what they want to hear because it makes them feel good and gives them a momentary pause from a loss rock and roll has felt for years.
I named my son after Randy Rhoads - Rhoads Morello.
My first impression of Van Halen was that David Lee Roth was a god, and that so was Eddie.
I was playing with Chuck Berry, who sounded like an English teacher. Did you ever listen to his records? He pronounces every word.
A collaboration with Rob Halford, the 'Metal God,' has always been my dream. I never imagined that dream would come true!
Every once in awhile I'll call up Eddie (Van Halen) and ask, Found that fourth chord yet?
I get confused between the rock and roll thing and my movie star thing... We're f - -ing movie stars.
Mick Fleetwood was one of my first interviews. And if you've ever talked to that dude, he's the sweetest guy in the world - he's just a trip.
Neil Young is the prime example, the grand goal, if you will. He's still shredding, and he never lost his credibility.
Robert Plant was always my favorite singer-and hes said nice things about me, you know.
I have always maintained that Iggy Pop is the Heavyweight Champion of Rock & Roll.
I am a cross between Carl Perkins and Led Zeppelin.
The misunderstanding out there is that we are a 'hard rock' band or a 'heavy metal' band. We've only ever been a rock n' roll band.
When I saw Jimi Hendrix I knew immediately that this guy was the real thing ... and when he played it was like a rough sketch of what he was going to become ... this guy was our generation, and he wasn't in a suit .. he played a Howlin' Wolf song 'Killing Floor', and then we (The Cream) had to carry on the set. It was pretty hard to follow.
I never have met any heroes - except one. The exception is Ian Anderson, flute player extraordinaire, creative musical talent for more than 40 years, and the man most associated with the band Jethro Tull.
Todd Rundgren is a genius, and I don't use that word a lot.
When we were at the CMT Awards this year, Robert Plant was there. What an icon, I love him... But I can't go up and speak to him, because I don't want to seem like a goob.
I think the world of Chuck Berry.
By the way he carried himself, you really thought that Bon Scott was immortal.
Eric Clapton has earned all of our respect. He is the greatest. He opened the doors for us. Without Cream, there is no Allman Brothers.
I dare anybody to display a more amazing body of work than Tom Petty.
