I can't remember half the names of the people we used to copy. James Brown was one.

I felt that we did a fairly reasonable performance of the mini-opera. Brian Jones wasn't in good shape in those days, sadly. But it was one of those memorable times. Again, the director for that was Michael Lindsay-Hogg.

I didn't ever want to be the leader.

Well, Shel Talmy didn't think that Pete's lead guitar playing was up to it and he didn't think our backing vocals were up to it. He was right about the backing vocals.

We weren't wealthy but we definitely weren't poor. We were incredibly rich because there was a wonderful community in Shepherd's Bush, where I grew up. All my friends were into villainy and crime.

I wanted to be in a band that shared ideas and were in it together.

I don't think there's any way it could have failed. We don't know failure in this band. We didn't know failure. We got to know it a little after awhile but at that time there was no such word.

First of all, you have to understand that I'm like anybody else. When I hear my voice on a record I absolutely loathe my voice. I cannot stand my voice.

And of course I personified Tommy. I was the guy who used to play the part. I played the damn part for five years.