Deep Purple Quotes

Ritchie Blackmore (guitarist): "Combing my hair doesn't make me a better musician."

Ian Paice (drummer): "To be a drummer you also have to be a musician."

Ian Gillan (vocalist 70's, 80's): "Once you get that label of classic rock around your head in America it's like a tombstone."

Ritchie Blackmore: "I found the blues too limiting, and classical was too disciplined."




Roger Glover (bassist): "The classic rock thing doesn't really apply anywhere else in the world except the States."

 Rod Evans (vocalist 1968 - 1969): "Ritchie was obsessed to be a guitarist like Clapton or Beck and to be a star."

Jon Lord (keyboards): "Ritchie thought of Deep Purple. There was a song in the forties by that name, and it was Ritchie's grandmother's favorite song."

Nick Simper (bassist 1968 - 1969): "There is very little music that is new or exciting being created, which has led to increased demand for the older acts who know how to deliver."

David Coverdale (vocalist 1973 - 1976): "I'm always shocked that I'm still asked about Purple because it was such a long time ago."

Glenn Hughes (bassist 1973 - 1976): " Am I the man who killed Deep Purple? I don't think so."

Quotes From British Invasion Rock Stars

Mick Jagger: "The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either."

Peter Noone: "Everybody gets to a stage when it's time to move on."

Marianne Faithful: "Rebellion is the only thing that keeps you alive."

Steve Winwood: "To make a living from doing something I love is fantastic. As long as people want to listen to me, I'll keep doing it."

Eric Clapton: "The blues are what I've turned to, what has given me inspiration and relief in all the trials of my life."

 Roger Daltrey: "Every generation of rock musician will understand that we wouldn't be anywhere without the support of teenagers buying the records." 

Eric Clapton: "The blues are what I've turned to, what has given me inspiration and relief in all the trials of my life."

Petula Clark: "There are definitely people who are stuck in the sixties and there are definitely people who think I am and it's just not true."

Eric Burdon: "Everything changes and, somewhere along the line, I'm changing with it."

Ray Davies: "If I had to do my life over, I would change every single thing I have done."

John Lennon: "If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliche that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that's his problem. Love and peace are eternal."

Famous Guitarists Who Named Their Guitar

B.B. King - Lucille: A black Gibson ES-355.

Edward Van Halen - Freankenstrat: Rebuilt stratocaster named after the Frankenstein monster, a creature made up from many different bodies.

George Harrison - Lucy: A Gibson Les Paul given to him by Eric Clapton.

Brian May - Red Special: Custom built, also called The Old Lady.


Eric Clapton - Blackie: Fender Stratocaster auctioned off in 2004 to raise money for his Crossroads addiction recovery center.

Billy Gibbons: 1959 Gibson Les Paul.

 Neil Young - Old Black: Gibson Les Paul.

Willie Nelson - Trigger: A Martin N-20 acoustic guitar.

Bo Diddley - Twang Machine: Custom built "cigar box" guitar. Later produced by Gretsch.

Prince - Cloud: Custom built guitar used during the Purple Rain era.

Keith Richards - Micawber: 1953 Fender Telecaster. Named after a character in Charles Dicken's David Copperfield.

Stevie Ray Vaughn - First Wife: 1963 Fender Stratocaster with a 1962 neck.

Tony Iommi - Monkey:  1965 Gibson SG.

Yngwie Malmsteen - Duck: 1971 Fender Stratocaster which had a Donald Duck sticker on it.

Edward Van Halen Quotes

"I never dreamt of being a musician for my livelihood."

"I'm a musician, Dave's a rock star."

"We're musicians. We make music for a living. It's that simple. Nothing else matters."

"Nirvana was huge, but it didn't appeal to everyone."

"It's always a Catch-22 situation. They hate you if you're the same, and they hate you if you're different."

"I grew up on a lot of early Beatles, DC5, Cream, Clapton, Page, Beck and Hendrix."

"Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine that no one could take away from me."

"The piano ia a universal instrument. If you start there, learn your theory and how to read, you can go on to any other instrument."

"I destroyed a lot of guitars trying to get them to do what I wanted, but I learned something from every guitar I tore apart, and discovered even more things."

"The name Van Halen, the family legacy, is going to go on long after I'm gone."

"As long as my brain and fingers work, I'm cool."

Carlos Santana Quotes

"Blues was my first love. It was the first thing where I said 'Oh man, this is the stuff'."

"Just as we have two eyes and two feet, duality is part of life."

"We want to extend and invitation to healing. Turn off CNN and turn on the light in your own heart."

"The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be be is an instrument of peace."

"You can take things that Jimi Hendrix took, from Curtis Mayfield or from Buddy Guy for example, because we are all children of everything, even Picasso."



"It's time for people to realize that we are all mixed up inside. That is why there is so much diversity on my records. I can relate to so many cultures and I want that to be reflected in my music."

"The music of Hendrix wakes people up to their possibilities. It's more than just dreaming about being a guitar hero."

"Gene Simmons is not a musician, He's an entertainer. A musician is Coltrane, Bob Marley. KISS is Las Vegas entertainment. A musician doesn't need the mask."

"No one's better than me. I'm not better than anyone. Whether it's Eric Clapton or B.B. King we look straight at each other. And that keeps it real."

"There is no person that love cannot heal; there is no soul that love cannot save."

Great Rock & Roll Guest Appearances

Edward Van Halen's guitar solo on Michael Jackson's 'Beat It' (1982).

Eric Clapton's guitar solo on the Beatles 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' (1968).

John Lennon playing guitar on David Bowie's 'Fame' (1975).

Mick Jagger singing back up on Carly Simon's 'You're So Vain' (1972).

David Bowie Singing a duet with Bing Crosby on 'Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy' (1982)
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David Gilmour playing guitar on Paul McCartney's 'No More Lonely Nights' (1984).

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards & Keith Moon singing background vocals on the Beatles' 'All You Need Is Love' (1967).

Roy Harper singing lead vocals on Pink Floyd's 'Have A Cigar' 91975).

Jimmy Page's guitar solo on the Kink's 'You Really Got Me' (1964).

U2 performing on Robbie Robertson's 'Sweet Fire Of Love' (1987).

k.d. lang singing with Roy Orbison on 'Crying' (1984).

George Harrison playing rhythm guitar on Cream's 'Badge' (1968).

George Harrison's Best Beatle Songs

1. Something (1969) George's best song, one which Frank Sinatra described as "the greatest love song ever written." The first number one by the Beatles not written by John or Paul.

2. Here Comes The Sun (1969) From the album "Abbey Road". Peter Tosh and Richie Havens both had hit versions of this song.

3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (1968) George's best song off  the white album. Some people might be surprised to know that it was Eric Clapton doing the guitar solo. Jeff Healey did a great Cover version.




4. Taxman (1966) George's protest song which appears on the album "Revolver". The guitar solo is actually played by Paul McCartney. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Franz Ferdinand and Power Station all did cover versions.

5. Within You Without You (1967) This song helped popularize world music. Featuring mostly Indian musicians, George is the only Beatle to perform on this track from "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

6. Old Brown Shoe (1969) Released as the B-side to "The Ballad Of John And Yoko". George plays both guitar and bass on this one.

7. I Need You (1965) From the movie and album "Help!". One of the first original compositions by George to appear on a Beatles record since 1963's "Don't Bother Me".

8 I Me Mine (1970) The last song recorded by the Beatles (without Lennon). Also the title of his autobiography.

9. For You Blue (1969) From the album "Let It Be". Released as the B-side to "The Long And Winding Road".

10 You Like Me Too Much (1965) From the album "Help!".

Famous Songs About Famous People

Going To California - Led Zepplin (1971): The lyric "...she plays guitar and cries and sings" is about Joni Mitchell.

Love Reign o'er Me - The Who (1973): Pete Townshend originally wrote this song about British singer Shirley Bassey, whom he had a crush on during his adolescence.

Killing Me Softly With His Song - Roberta Flack (1973): Supposedly inspired by a poem written by Lori Lieberman about singer Don McLean.


Shine On You Crazy Diamond - Pink Floyd (1975) This nine part song was inspired by former lead singer Syd Barrett, who ironically visited the studio while the group was recording. It took awhile to recognise him because no one had seen him for several years.

Hurricane - Bob Dylan (1975): A protest song about boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, who Dylan felt was wrongly sent to prison in the late 60's.

Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton (1978): From the album "Slowhand", this song was written for George Harrison's ex-wife Pattie Boyd.

Empty Garden - Elton John (1982) Written and recorded after the death of John Lennon. The two artists were close friends, with Elton being named Sean Lennon's godfather.

Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses (1987): From their multi platinum selling album "Appetite For Destruction". Axl Rose co-wrote this song about his then girlfriend Erin Everly, daughter of Don Everly of the Everly Brothers.

Black Velvet - Alannah Myles (1989): This song is a tribute to Elvis Presley and hit number one on the U.S. Billboard charts.

Biggest British Invasion Bands

The biggest bands that helped make the British invasion of mid-sixties the musical event of the decade.

1. The Beatles: The biggest music act of all time and the first major pop artist to come out of England. The Beatles were responsible for not only changing the musical landscape but pop culture and therefore world culture.

2. The Rolling Stones: Easily the second most successful band to emerge from England during the sixties. After the Beatles broke up in 1970 the Stones continued, earning themselves the nick name "The World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band".

3. The Who: Famous for playing their music loud and smashing their instruments, the Who peaked creatively and commercially with the albums Tommy (1969) and The Who's Next (1971).

4. The Moody Blues: This band became big combining classical music and rock especially on the album Days Of Future Past (1967).

5. The Animals: Second group, after the Beatles, to have a number one single in the U.S. (The House Of The Rising Sun).

6. The Kinks: With songs like You Really Got Me and All Day And All Of The Night, the Kinks were the forefathers of both punk and metal music.

7. The Yardbirds: This group spawned such guitarists as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, giving birth to future mega groups Cream, Derek And The Dominos, Jeff Beck Group and Led Zepplin.

8. The Hollies: The Hollies had hits all through the sixties and into the seventies. One time member Graham Nash quit in the l968 to form the super group Crosby, Stills And Nash (Later Young).

9. The Spencer Davis Group: The Spencer Davis Group had big hits with I'm A Man and Gimme Some Lovin'. Future superstar Steve Winwood was the band's keyboardist, lead singer and main songwriter.

10. Manfred Mann: This group's biggest hit during the sixties was Do Wah Diddy Diddy (Bill Murray sings this song in the movie Stripes). More than a decade later, as Manfred Mann's Earth Band, they had a number one hit with Bruce Springsteen's Blinded By The Light.

Beatle Women

Cynthia Powell: She met John Lennon at the Liverpool college of art in 1957. They were married from 1962 to 1968 and had a son together, Julian. During the early days of Beatlemania they kept their marriage a secret.

Jane Asher: TV and movie actress who was Paul McCartney's girlfriend (and later fiance) from 1963 to 1968. Her brother is Peter Asher, who was a member of the singing duo Peter And Gordon (Paul wrote songs for them).

Maureen Cox: Ringo's wife from 1965 to 1975. They had three kids together, including Zak Starkey who grew up to play drums for the Who and Oasis.

Patti Boyd: Model and later author, who was married to George Harrison from 1966 to 1977. The two met on the set of the film A Hard Day's Night (1964). Later she married Eric Clapton, who had written the song Layla for her.

Yoko Ono: The most famous (or infamous) of all the Beatle women. An avant-garde artist and activist who was married to John Lennon from 1969 until his death in 1980. The two had a son together, Sean Ono Lennon.

Linda Eastman: Linda was a photographer, who photographed many famous musicians (Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin etc). Before meeting Paul her favourite Beatle was John. Linda and Paul were married from 1969 until her death in 1998. They had three kids together, including fashion designer Stella McCartney.

Barbara Bach: While making the movie Caveman (1981) Ringo Starr met former Bond girl Barbara Bach. They married a year later and have been together ever since.

Olivia Harrison: Olivia was a secretary at A&M records when George Harrison met her. They were married from 1978 until his death in 2001 and had a son, Dhani.

Each Beatle had flings with famous women (some possibly rumours)

John Lennon: Ronnie Spector.

Paul McCartney: Piggy Lipton, Rosanna Arquette, Christie Brinkley.

George Harrison: Joey Heatherton.

Ringo Starr: Shelley Duvall.

Biggest Selling Beatles Solo Albums

1. All Things Must Pass - George Harrison (1970): George's first post Beatles solo album is this sprawling three record set released in November of 1970. It is his magnum opus, and at six million sold, it is also the biggest selling album put out by any of the ex Beatles. Many famous musicians appear on this record, including Eric Clapton, Gary Wright, Klaus Voorman, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Alan White (Yes) and Ginger Baker. Singles include: My Sweet Lord (#1), What Is Life (#10).

2. Band On The Run - Paul McCartney & Wings (1973): Recorded in Nigeria, this album is Paul's biggest solo album both commercially (three million copies) and critically. There were only three members of Wings at this time, Paul, his wife Linda and Denny Laine (ex Moody Blues). Ginger Baker, formally of Cream, also appears on this record. Actors James Coburn and Christopher Lee (among other celebrities) appear on the album cover. Singles include: Band On The Run (#1), Jet (#7), Helen Wheels (#10).

3. Double Fantasy - John Lennon & Yoko Ono (1980): At three million copies sold this is John Lennon's biggest solo album. Unfortunately most of these copies sold after his murder three weeks after the record's release. This was John's first recording in five years and it won a Grammy for album of the year. Singles Include: Just Like Starting Over (#1), Woman (#2), Watching The Wheels (#30).

4. McCartney - Paul McCartney (1970): Paul's first solo album and the first proper solo album by any of the Beatles. Paul plays all the instruments making it a true "solo" effort. This album sold over two million copies and features the song Maybe I'm Amazed.

5. Imagine - John Lennon (1970): Selling two million copies, this was John's biggest album during his lifetime. Phil Spector produced the record and George Harrison plays guitar on several tracks. The recording of this album was filmed and released as a movie the following year (also called Imagine, later re-titled Gimme Some Truth). The most successful single off Imagine was the title track (#3).

Quotes About Jimi Hendrix

Famous rock stars comment on Jimi Hendrix.

Carl Wilson (Beach Boys): I thought Jimi Hendrix was just phenomenal.

Freddie Mercury: 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.

LL Cool J: I was listening to Jimi Hendrix. I just admire his artistry and creativity as an artist.

Joe Satriani: I started out playing guitar because Jimi Hendrix was my hero, so my roots were really based on Jimi Hendrix and his style of playing.

Stevie Nicks: We opened for Jimi Hendrix. I got to stand on the side of the stage and watch him for two hours and then he died. But I got the essence before they left.

Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction): Jimi Hendrix's music was escapism.

Eric Clapton: 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.

Frank Zappa: Hendrix is one of the most revolutionary figures in today's pop culture, musically and sociologically.


Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction): The most influential person in my life, other than my parents.

George Benson: It's amazing the power of Jimi Hendrix's legacy. When I heard him do the national anthem I thought, wow, what a genius.

Keith Richards: Everybody else just screwed it up, and thought wailing away is the answer. But it ain't; you've got to be a Jimi to do that, you've got to be one of the special cats.

Eric Clapton Quotes

"I'm an egomaniac with an inferiority complex."

"One of the most beneficial things I've ever learned is how to keep my mouth shut."

"I would challenge anybody to come up with a better design for a guitar. The Stratocaster is as good as it gets."

"The blues are what I've turned to, what has given me inspiration and relief in all the trials of my life."

I'd love to knock an audience cold with one note, but what do you do for the rest of the evening?"



"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."

"My driving philosophy about making music is that you can reduce it all down to one note if that note is played with the right kind of sincerity."

"We didn't really have a band with Cream. We rarely played as an ensemble; we were three virtuosos, all of us soloing all the time."

"Recovery is a positive thing. There's nothing to be ashamed of. When you know you need help, and seek help, you need that time to deal with it."

"I am, and always will be, a blues guitarist."