When I first heard [Elvis Presley's] voice I just knew that I wasn't going to work for anybody; and nobody was going to be my boss. Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail.

One summer I remember, I got exposed to Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly and Buddy Holly was a very very big, made a very big impression on me. Because of a lot of things, you know, the way he looked and his charisma.

People are used to music that justifies street culture but something that's not touched on is why these kids act the way they act, live the way they live.

If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'.

Culture changes, fashions change, customs change. Great music is immortal.

They'd like to use my tunes for different beer companies and perfumes and automobiles. I get approached on all that stuff. But, shit, I didn't write them for that reason. That's never been my scene.