Joe Perry

“I didn't think I could go onstage and play unless I had a beer to loosen up. Well, if it was only one beer to loosen up, I'd probably still be drinking today.”

“India brings out so many different feelings in me. I've been fascinated with India and Indian culture as long as I can remember - ever since the '60s with the Beatles and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.”

“People spend their careers trying to figure out what makes a hit single. But I learned a long time ago that you can't anticipate what people want, because it's always going to change.”

“Aerosmith is such a powerful band; I mean, it's like a steam locomotive.”

“AC/DC is a prime example of taking that blues rock thing and just living in that world. They only really move the furniture around a little on each album, but it still works.”

“Take life on life's terms - one day at a time. And have fun while you're doing it.”

“When Tom Morello picks up the guitar, I'm sure what he sees is totally different from what I do, but I love the way he plays.”

“I've seen bands split up for five years and do nothing. That sounds great to me, but it just hasn't worked out that way.”

“I've been fascinated with all kinds of weapons my whole life, and as I have been able to afford to acquire pieces, here and there I started to collect.”

“I have seen more bad songs make it because of MTV than good ones that haven't.”

“The Beatles just changed everything right across the board. They just had that right combination of clean-cut good looks - a cute band - but under that they had a real rock n' roll thing going on.”

“The media plays up celebrity a lot, but it doesn't hold a candle to being a scientist. There's a lot to be said for what they all do, and are trying to accomplish.”

“I don't spend much time listening to the records when they're done. Usually I let go of it. Especially in the Eighties and Nineties - they were like product, almost.”

“I was very fascinated by the time when firearms went from being fire sticks to being something people could use to hunt and to survive.”

“The kids get a vote. That's very important when it comes to raising kids. And always keep the bigger picture in mind.”

“Y'know, I don't like jazz much. I'll put it on once in a while and listen, and I'll appreciate it.”

“I think that... the age of just slapping songs into movies, that's done.”

“I've been going long enough to prove what I wanted to prove, to get the girl I wanted to get, to make the money I wanted to make, to drink all the beer I wanted to drink. I've played - not exactly everywhere, but I've played enough places.”

“My Portuguese uncle had a Portuguese version of a ukulele. The family would pull it out after dinner and play Portuguese folk songs on it. I couldn't wait for him to finish so I could get my hands on it. I was seven or eight years old. And he used to have a Fender amp in his house and an electric guitar. I would spend hours making sounds.”

“Maybe you could put it out there that I don't have a built-in dislike of ballads. That was kind of the reputation I had back in the Seventies. But I've come around. Ballads have become something of an acquired taste.”