Marc Bolan had inspired so many people to pick up a guitar and join a band.

I was a schooled musician. When I made 'Blue Velvet', I told everyone what to do. I was an arranger. I learned music in school I told the band to play this. I told the guitar to do that.

I always hated jazz guitar. I loved jazz saxophone but I hated jazz guitar. If I would buy an organ trio record I would make sure I'd buy one that did not have a guitar player on it. The sound was awful!

I never liked mellow sounding guitar.

So, my big brother was playing guitar and I figured I'd try it too.

Besides being a guitar player, I'm a big fan of the guitar. I love that damn instrument.

But the guitar is my favorite, first and foremost instrument.

As a kid I used to pretend I was John Denver, of all people, and play the guitar and sing Take Me Home, Country Roads.

I quit my band in New York City in 1969 and I got really angry at them. I got angry at one of my guitar players and I dove over the drum set and we got into a fight.

While I was with Procol Harum, the only time I'd see my guitar was either when I walked onstage or in the studio.

It all comes down to the density of the wood. Every guitar's different.

I didn't want to get attached to one guitar; I didn't want to have an instrument that was irreplaceable.

I got a guitar when I was about 14, for a Christmas present, and went from there.

A wah-wah is important as well. I love it; it makes the guitar scream.

I can't say I feel influenced by today's guitar players.