"Then each one becomes more difficult as I go along. On the Waterfront — you go straight to Marlon Brando. It was a good picture all around, a good script, and Kazan directed it brilliantly. And the shooting on location, I would assume they would have never shot in a studio — the look of the film gives a great sense of realism, that you are there on the waterfront, you’re there in cold weather, you can see the breath coming out of the actors mouths. I would say it’s probably — probably — Marlon’s best performance, although you would have to give a nod to Godfather."

"Every song on the Pretenders’ self-titled debut is so good. The energy is superb; it's a band playing at the peak of their powers. Unfortunately they didn't really last - they buckled under the pressure, under their own personal demons. However this record is just amazing. You put it on and the energy and vibe and Chrissie Hynde’s lyrics and singing are pretty powerful and undeniable. Chrissie Hynde is one of my favourite female artists in rock music with one of the most gorgeous voices in rock. I know that Shirley adores her and cites her as one of her influences - some lyrics of Shirley's in one of our songs, 'Special', is a total nod to Chrissie."

"The New York Times asked me to review Keith Richards’ rock and roll memoir, Life. Due to a printing delay, I was reading and writing my impression of his chronicle while I was out on tour myself. It was a delight to immerse myself in such a jaw-dropping account of the peripatetic lifestyle I was experiencing, albeit at a much shallower altitude. The Rolling Stones are iconic by any measure. Getting an all access pass backstage through Richards’s eyes to the world beyond the bright lights and throbbing amplifiers is as thrilling as you might imagine. You will laugh out in parts, nod in recognition at the famous cultural touch-points and feel proud to be a music fan. Rock and roll has a very specific ethos, and Life hits upon all of the sacred precepts. Plug it in and turn it up to 11."