Ronnie Hawkins Quotes

Well, I love Bob Dylan, let's make that clear. He's one of my musical heroes.

I'm a really huge John Prine fan; I love his clever conversationalist songs.

I've been watching a lot of Joni Mitchell YouTube clips and I can't believe her transformation from this folk singer in Canada.

All I've been trying to do all my life is to make great music.

I love Ray Charles. He can still teach everybody a lot about how to make great music. Not necessarily how to make hits, but how to make great music. Of course, part of it is his incredible talent. Who are the greatest jazz singers in the world? Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Ray Charles.

I dare anyone to play like Charlie Watts.

I look back and wonder why I wasted my time talking about fried potatoes with the great John Lennon. But that's what was so fabulous about him - he was very down to earth.

I'll never be Bob Dylan. He's the master.

Most things in my life I had before leaving home. Values, support, great family. I was shaped at an early age. A musician playing guitar, I wanted to be a folk singer.

Great music is great music, period.

I've always considered myself a folk singer, even though we strapped on Rickenbacker guitars and played pretty loud.

Patty Griffin is iconic, and there's no other word to really describe her. She is iconic for a lot of people - not only for me but for a lot of fans. Her voice is one of a kind, and she's such an important figure in the American music scene.

George Harrison was also a pleasure to work with. He was one of the most famous people I've ever known, but in spite of that fame, he was such a nice and friendly guy.

What is the best music is impossible to define. Just because it's played by a virtuoso player, doesn't mean it's great music. It might not reflect the soul of a people, which is really my criteria for great music.

In my early life, I was a professional folk singer. I used to sing on the national television and radio in Canada. Nobody knows that - but now I've said it, haven't I? I'm strictly a shower singer at the minute.

I would love to just talk to Paul McCartney. That would be incredible, but that is definitely like a dream.

I do not use the word 'genius' lightly, but if David Bowie is not a genius, then there is no such thing.

I think everyone mentions Bob Dylan, but he's someone I just admire so much as a songwriter. I think people write songs, and then there's Bob Dylan songs. He's one step ahead of just everybody else.

Elvis was a great singer. He really was.

I'll never outdo Hank Williams. That's impossible.

At one stage, I wanted to be a folk singer.

I never have met any heroes - except one. The exception is Ian Anderson, flute player extraordinaire, creative musical talent for more than 40 years, and the man most associated with the band Jethro Tull.

Paul McCartney has always been the love of my life.

I've always loved Bob Dylan.

I'd say it ["I Can't Drive 55"] has probably been the most successful song I've ever been involved with, including any Van Halen songs.