Generosity and kindness always feel good to give, and it never feels good to give grief or negativity.
I guess I would say true happiness is to love and be loved. Of course, having enough money for food, shelter, health care and things like that all help, but that is more about security.
You know, some people think since I can't move I am a vegetable. Wrong. Just picture yourself as you are, just always sitting down and if you need something a hot babe takes care of you. I am exaggerating a little, but this is how I see it.
It is just satisfying to think that, somehow, my music and my story could touch someone and make them want to make their own life better.
I don't miss playing guitar anymore. I'm sure that's out of necessity, but I am grateful for so much more. I am surrounded by loving people, and I can still make music.
I think mostly music just felt good because my parents gave me a real good childhood so I was rarely sad.
I have gotten nothing but love since I was diagnosed from the whole metal community. I guess that is true about both David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen. David was very kind to me especially when I was limping and falling and when my hands started getting weak.
When President Trump promised we would get better, cheaper health care that would fix the problems of the Affordable Care Act, I hoped it was true. Unfortunately, the American Healthcare Act promises giant cuts to the programs that I and every other poor, sick and disabled person have relied on for our lives.
I think music comes out of silence... and I have a lot of silent time, without a pesky guitar interrupting my thoughts.
I remember when I was first losing my ability to play my fast licks and my hands were shaking and falling off the guitar. It forced me to sort of create a new slow style.
I have survived ALS to continue my work as a musician and composer for 28 years due to the care I receive through insurance and Medicaid. Without these supports, my family can flatout not manage my care, and my life and career will be in serious jeopardy.
Guitar Player' was always the serious musician's magazine. They rarely catered to what was popular. They focused on innovative players.
I am such a sucker for love; to me, it feels like the reason we are here - to love and be happy.
Even as I was trying to become a rock god, Michael Jackson was the ultimate magic rock star to me. I loved his music, his scene and style. He transcended musical categories.
I am not a perfect saint, by any means.
I had been exposed to classical music my whole life; even before I was born.
I guess I just love all kinds of music.
I love soundtracks to movies and am always touched by the music if it's good. The music in some old Disney movies, like 'Pinocchio,' 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Peter Pan' really gets to me.
I am mostly a positive person and I think I always have been.
I can't stand it when people get bullied or feel ugly or worthless.
