“Kenny Burrell is overall the greatest guitarist in the world and he’s my favorite.”

The blues was bleeding the same blood as me.

Playing guitar is like telling the truth.

Albert King wasn’t my brother in blood, but he sure was my brother in Blues.

Being a blues singer is like being black two times.

I call myself a blues singer, but you ain’t never heard me call myself a blues guitar man.

Ladies, friends, and music – without those three, I wouldn’t wanna be here.

God made Blues right after he made woman.

I can’t afford no liquor, all I can buy is beer and wine.

Notes are expensive, spend them wisely.

I gave you seven children, but now you want to give them back.

Growing up, I was taught that a man has to defend his family. When the wolf is trying to get in, you gotta stand in the doorway.

I can’t think of anyone I’ve mistreated. I’ve always thought that I am my brother’s keeper. And I believe there’s a ‘great spirit’ that takes care of all of us.

I don’t do much recording anymore, but before I really stopped, I was glad to get five, five cent a record. That’s why when I see people today and they complain about what they get, and I picked cotton for $2.50 a day.

When you don’t have much money, you worry that they’ll just put you in the ground someplace and your loved ones won’t know where you are.

I thought Eric Clapton was good. He still is. Not only is he good – he’s rock’s #1 guitarist, and he plays blues better than most of us.

You never miss what you’ve never had. I never had any other life. I didn’t know any other life.