Eric Clapton

It's taken me to be an older guy, an old man, to have an old man's voice. Because I only liked old men's voices. As a kid, I didn't like pip-squeaked singers. ”

But I did go to music really early on, even when I was 4 or 5, I was responding to music probably in ways other kids were not. ”

Music became a healer for me. And I learned to listen with all my being. I found that it could wipe away all the emotions of fear and confusion relating to my family. ”

The point of being at home is to be with my family as much as possible. ”

I'm not a big fan of lead vocalists, people who sing but don't play. I never wanted to be in a band where the guy who was up front just sang. I've always thought it better when one of the musicians sings, like Steve Winwood. ”

The first band I identified with from Chicago was the Muddy Waters band. ”

My dedication to my music has driven everyone away. I've had girlfriends, but I always end up on my own. I don't particularly like it, but I don't see a way 'round it. ”

I remember when I thought of singing as the bit that went between the guitar playing - something I couldn't wait to get out of the way. Singing was originally like a chore that I didn't really enjoy. ”

The toughest thing about being a celebrity, I suppose, is being polite when I don't want to be. ”

Risk is trying to control something you are powerless over. ”