“The drummer’s always going to be there. They’re the floor of the whole deal and everyone can stand up on you.”

When I was thirteen I only wanted to be a drummer.

Roy Orbison was the only act that The Beatles didn’t want to follow.

Well, I’m getting happier all the time, which is very nice.

I think we should have understanding and love and peace. I mean, peace and love has been my situation. You hear that in the song. I’m trying to promote that now: peace and love and understanding.

I never studied anything, really. I didn’t study the drums. I joined bands and made all the mistakes onstage.

I’m nervous ahead of every gig. I feel like running away three seconds before I’m due on stage. But I’m all right as soon as I get the mic in my hand.

I learned to knit in hospital. They give you stuff to do to keep you busy because you’re so ill.

If you could play, I’d play with you all night. But if I’m just playing by myself, it gets boring pretty quick.

They paint you red before they sacrifice you. It’s a different religion from ours – I think.

People only look at me as a Beatle but my friends look at me as a whole person. That’s how life works, but it’s not bugging me anymore.

You’re like the devil with horns in your head, the only way I’ll get you is to get you in bed.

Take a dose of rock and roll, and wash it down with cool clear soul.

My occupation is syncopation. But, every time, my syncopation is different, because I can never play the same fill twice. I just can’t, never have been able to.

We thought we’d be really big in Liverpool.

They said do what you want, because if we don’t like it no one will hear it.

You either kiss the future or the past goodbye.