“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.”

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.

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.

I’m warning you with peace and love I have too much to do. So no more fan mail. Thank you, thank you. And no objects to be signed, nothing. Peace and love, peace and love.

I am truly grateful. I’m a grateful human being.

At the end of the day, I can end up just totally wacky, because I’ve made mountains out of molehills. With meditation, I can keep them as molehills.

The trouble with leaving your feet on the ground is you never get to take your pants off.

From 13, I wanted to play drums. I wanted to play with good people and I’m still doing it. I still love it so that’s why I do it.

So this is America. They must be out of their minds.