As a former mixer of Alan‘s live project, I can say he is the only boss I ever had that, at the end of a tour, asked how the band could have made things better for ME. A production genius and humble gentleman - he was an absolute pleasure to work for/with.
As a former (if that's possible) engineer myself, I know as you probably do, that humility is an important ingredient of a successful engineering career, so your story, as delightful as it is, doesn't surprise me at all. It's too bad that more of us aren't band leaders.
@@jghawk100 but didn't Alan Parson's musical partner (Eric Woolfson) write most of the music? And I don't say this as a slight to Alan Parsons. He has been my musical hero since my college days in the late 70s. If he is still doing workshops next year when I retire, it's my first retirement celebration project.
@@lofomusesyes, Eric was the primary writer for the 'project' works. He was also the most heard vocalist. He would put down vocal demos & often it was decided to just use him. There's a variety of writers on the 'solo' material. Alan has credited Eric many times.
This IS the biggest star you've had Rick and you've had many. I idolize him. Not only for his talent but for his humility. What a treat to have a sit down with him.
Thank you Rick, I sat through the interview, sometimes with tears of joy, sometimes with tears of sadness. I am 78 years old, I have been a musician since the age of four. With my hands now impeded with arthritis, my instruments have been put away. I am lucky that both my sons have embraced music of all genres and are both music teachers and put together school jazz, rock or classical bands. Perhaps the most repeated statement throughout the interview was "I didn't know that" followed by "ahhhh". I think Alan is the forgotten hero of music. I am now going to turn on the amp, clean the stylus, and pull out a few albums. Thank to both of you.
Sorry to hear of your arthritis. I'm 71 and very recently bought this .. VOLTAREN, Topical 1% Arthritis Gel .. it helped. Thought I would mention, just in case. All the best.
im the other way around,my hands didant open as a kid dew to a genetic disorder,and arthrities from age7,,but starting a band age12 on bass opened my left hand,,i am age60 next month,and im probably playing better than ever,,if we stop it may get worse..but sorry to hear its gone that far for you YNWA
Thank you for this insight. He's able to get to the gist if the music by getting to the gist of the persons' motives in creating it... If he never explicitly writes a history, his interviews of musicians whose work from the 1960s till now has been most influential will be crucial for those who do. This is such a wonderful podcast!
He seems to be more about music that 'charts' ...... He ignores a LOT. So no need to hyperbolize. But with that said I appreciate what he does do, very much.
I met Alan Parsons when he was once in Argentina. He was staying at the hotel I worked. The producer that brought him just told him I was a fan of his work, and he just came and shook hands and started talking and thanking me I liked his music... nice and humble guy that I was really shocked.
@@louiebee6745 i have see Al a few times at Eddies Attic in Atlanta. After both show I spent a hour or two with him chatting . Super guy. Even gave me his telephone number in case I ever made it out his way in California.
WOW WOW WOW WOW. Rick you are leaving YOUR mark on music history. These interviews will be archived, studied, and enjoyed by people for DECADES. Thank you Rick, thank you so much for all you do. Alan Parsons. Just a musical genius on SO MANY levels. Enjoyed every second of this interview. David Gilmour next??? Please!!!
As a young newlywed with a wife who worked night shifts at the hospital I listened non stop to two records, The Original Soundtrack 10cc and I Robot. I was over the moon when six or seven years ago Alan and his guitarist were treated by my chiropractor son in law and gave him four backstage tickets for a concert in 21:34 Oakville, Ontario, Canada. What a lovely man to meet on a personal level. We met his wife and daughter as well as all of the band members. They invited us out to eat a post performance meal with them. A terrific experience I will never forget.
10cc were also quite innovative like APP were. You're probably familiar with Godley & Creme (the experimental half of 10cc). They had interesting albums of their own, and quite the impressive catalog of music video directing and some album covers (They did the "Turn of a Friendly Card" album cover).
The man has class and you don’t buy that kind of thing. Merit to his parents mostly for his upbringing that forge the man that Alan Parsons became a true gentleman and good human being
My high school English teacher brought an album to play for us thinking it was a narrated book of Edgar Allen Poe. It was my first time hearing The Alan Parsons project. I was blown away, we all were. Even after hearing she had made a mistake she let us listen, to both sides. I think she enjoyed it. Of course this was the late 70’s. Thank you Mrs Kirk.
@@afrohawk It was a great interview but lm still grateful for the Sting and Police members interviews, that insight was super impressive, especially when Rick impressed Sting with his musical knowledge.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Alan is a humble, gentleman, genius who started at the very bottom of recording studio work to reach the pinnacle and then proceeded to be an epic performer in his own right.
@@paulbrookes413 Many people come from a privileged background. On average they should probably have more success in life, depending upon what you deem success to be. Fact is that Alan is an icon in the music industry, whatever his roots are.
Rick, I really appreciate that you throw in a picture of the gear Alan is referring to - these are iconic mics and outboard gear that most of us will never see in person!
Wonderful song but it’s such a harsh recording. Impossible to listen at volume. I suspect they expected some high end tone lose of quality as they done the first bounces but ended up add a bit too much too end.
Omg. THIS IS IT! THE MAN SHOWED UP. FINALLY! This is mega. Although, I do respect all the interviews that you've done, Rick, but this... It's Alan Parsons! Bloody hell... The man is truly genius.
I'm a 60-year-old American. While I was growing up, Alan's name was on my radar screen, and I knew of the Alan Parsons Project, but until this interview, I knew not much about him. His obvious intelligence reminds me of that of David Gilmour and Ian Anderson.
AP is an intense person! Very much a sound engineer. Sits quietly listening to Rick’s playbacks of old tunes. Listens quietly and carefully. His answers were very calculated. Loved every minute of it! Rick can you get Jeff Lynne to appear?!! Those orchestrations with ELO and that distinct sound that resurrected so many famous careers (Wilburys of course!)
THIS... is a precious interview. This makes the whole Internet worth it. What an absolute treat. I could listen to this guy talk about mic qualities and physical tape splicing indefinitely. The word "hero" is interesting, because I"m clearly not referring to some kind of fearless, lifesaving individual, but AP was one of my heroes. I wanted to be this guy or something like him. A friend of mine kind of managed that, but for me, it remained an unfulfilled dream. Late 1970s? The only sound production degree in the U.S. was at East Tennessee State. I so wanted to go there, but I was such a terrible student. Thank you, Alan. Thank you, Rick.
Thank you so much, Rick. It was a genuine treat to enjoy your interview with Mr. Parsons. A legend himself, you asked all the right questions. Thank you!!!
It’s almost impossible to leave a comment as I am completely blown away. Abbey Road and Dark Side? Not to mention all the rest - these are the most impactful popular recordings of the 20th century. Thank you Rick and Alan for putting us in the studio. This interview is Smithsonian worthy.
Very cool. Yeah he is super nice. He visited my school back in my college days. Answered so many questions, listened to student projects...very nice man in the industry.
I remember when the Best of Alan Parsons Project was released in 1984, I was 5 years old. My mom bought the album on cassette, I had one of those cassette players for children and I would play the song Time over and over. In 2011 when my mother died of cancer, I played it at her memorial during the slideshow.
My condolences for your loss. The song "Time" is such a beautiful and timeless song. When you listen to that song, you are forever with your mom! Cheers!
When i was 8-9 years old I heard for the first time "Eye in the sky", that was the day I said "who mixed that?" It was a revelation to me. I've never thought about the other people involved in a record. Alan is the reason that I became obsessed with the sound! And eventually studied sound engineering and producing music for me and other people.
I was 11 when it came out. It had a dour vibe. You can absolutely hear his personality in it...and for that matter DSOTM too. Its weird how you can hear someone's personality in playing and production.
@@offshoretomorrow3346 no! I started going to the conservatory when I was 4, and I was always searching who wrote that song and who's playing and how was recorded! And I had a lot of older friends and maybe I heard something from them...
Every time I see an interview with Alan Parsons, I gain even more love and appreciation for TAPP. Eye in the Sky, Pyramid and Ammonia Avenue are some of my favorite albums of all time, and it's really awesome to hear the background on how these amazing works of art were created. Oh, and he seems like an awesome guy too!
Rick! Please ask Alan to come back for a part 2! I'd love to hear Alan talk bout his solo stuff, all the way through Vulture Culture to today. Days are Numbers is one of my favorite TAPP songs and I wanna hear about it. Love you, love Alan. He's a BEAST!
Alan is the man. Worked with him as the leader of the house band for one of his recording seminars in Chicago. Effortless, perfect sounds out of the gate and a real gentleman. Thanks, Rick! Great interview!
Im 65 yrs young. I grew up enthralled with the Beatles music. I started learning guitar at 8 yrs old. I studied guitar, piano and mandolin. My influences were allman brothers, zeppelin, Jackson brown, elton john, beatles and everything in between. My 1976 senior year of highschool I heard Alan Parsons project. My musical life changed. Alan parsons project opened my entire musical world. His lyrics were spell binding. At 17 yrs old i began playing, writing and performing like never befory. To this day atat 65, when i hit the writers block, i ask myself ' What would Alan parsons do'. Hes been a great inspiration to me since 1976. God bless Alan Parsons and Rick. Alan opened up my musical heaven. What a treasure alan is. Lyrical brillanci too. I think JC approves❤
I preferred the Butch Vig interview, but this one's cool, too. The fact that Butch had his small studio recording church choirs, etc., then slowly became a giant in the industry was inspiring.
I got the feeling that Alan somehow wasn't totally relaxed; all of the interview effort was on Rick's part, less a conversation and more a series of good questions and intensely thoughtful answers. Maybe it's just Alan's way?
I can't believe I actually watched Rick Beato interviewing Alan Parsons. This must be what it's like to reach Nirvana. When he played 'I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You' it was a pity he stopped before the best guitar solo of all time, that you could gladly listen to on a loop for the last hours of your life. 'I Robot' still sounds as fresh and new as it did back then. It will never grow old (just like Parsons himself obviously!!).
Awesome interview! At 45, I'm a little young for this stuff but it's where my passion was in music as a kid. I loved The Alan Parson's Project from the moment I first heard his stuff. It was a joy to listen to him recall details of his life in the recording business. Thank you!
Alan Parsons has been a very important part of my life since the day my English teacher played us ToMaI. I was hooked. His albums got me through some very difficult times. I listened walking between high school classes, headphones on with my Walkman, ignoring everyone and everything. I felt safe. I started guitar at 22, I sing and have learned many of his songs I love over the years. I’m a lifelong fan. My daughter has fallen in love with his music too. We got to meet him in Vegas a few years back, a magical moment of my life. Alan, I love and respect you so much. Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart.
I played a festival in Italy a few years ago with Alan, and what blew me away was how well organized the chemistry was between him and the band. He stood in the center of the stage towards the back playing an acoustic guitar and he let the band do what they do best. Needless to say, the band sounded incredible! Alan is a true perfectionist.
"Breakdown" from "I Robot" I did in my 1st band... A Great song. Go listen to it! I was singing it & "Wouldn't Wanna Be..." Annoying the neighbors In the hotel I'm in watching this interview. A P. Has a Box Set that's on my list along with "Camel" and "Horslips" boxes. Cheers
Thomas Dolby also had one of the first few Fairlight CMI's* in England. He said it cost more than his house. £90,000+ I think. Cheers. *CMI- Computer Musical Instrument.
Absolute GENIUS! The Alan Parsons Project came out with some of the best pop/rock music in history, bar none! Incredible, well crafted, gorgeous songs!
I care for the artists, not for the Hall. I mean the inductions and recognition. Those in control of the Hall have damaged it with bizarre actions and slights over the years.
This is one of the best interviews Rick has shown us. I could watch these for 24hrs a day. He always knows the right questions to ask. This is a Top Notch channel,especially for musicians. Thank You Rick for all that you’ve done and will do in the future.
I am proud to be a Rickhead. His channel is educational, entertaining, and satisfying. These interviews are fantastic whether I know the artist or not.
It was a surprising Friday morning when I saw Alan Parsons in the thumbnail of the usual Rick Beato channel. I wanted to express my excitement with the deepest gratitude. There’s no doubt that Alan Parsons' music recordings and works shaped my musical sensibility as a junior high and high school student in Japan. Even now, and always, I have no doubt that I will continue to enjoy listening to Alan Parsons' work. The interview on my favorite Rick Beato channel has become a cherished treasure in my daily life. I belong to the generation that was captivated by concepts and soundscapes of the Alan Parsons Project, starting from the Beatles, then moving on to Pink Floyd and the pop music of the 80s, and this year I turn 55. As I read the lyrics of the Alan Parsons Project again, I deeply appreciate the profound expressiveness and philosophy, which at times remind me of hope. Having just passed his 75th birthday, Alan still radiates youthfulness. His unwavering dedication to the craft of recording engineering, his incredible attention to detail, and his willingness to embrace new things are truly inspiring. Thank you, I will continue to support you.
‘Turn of a Friendly Card’ is one of the best albums I’ve ever heard, closely followed by Year of the Cat which AP produced and engineered, what a legend !!
Alan Parsons is a musical and sonic genius. His first run of albums in the 70s and early 80s, especially Tales of Mystery and Imagination and I Robot, were monumental for me as a child discovering music back then. Looking forward to watching this tonight and spinning the LPs!
All music Parsons is involved with is on a higher production level. It just is. It's like listening to music through kicker speakers, it's just better.
A total English gentleman in every sense of the word. Alan totally has the same calm, analytical mindset as David Gilmour. I can totally see David and Alan having a cup of tea while discussing the task at hand. They even sound alike.
Alan is the complete package! Artist, Producer, Songwriter, Musician, & Engineer. "I, Robot" from 1977 is still my all time favorite APP album. PLAY LOUD
I had the pleasure to see and listen to Alan Parsons in my country of Honduras on the 23rd of September 2005. You gotta understand that in my country we don't have any big name concerts play here. So we are very grateful and happy to have seen him live at home. Thank you Alan!
"The Air that i Breathe" was my girlfriend's favorite song, and I loved listening to it with her. I had no idea this was from Alan Parsons, so this part of my life is now monumental.
"The Air that I Breathe" was one of the Hollies greatest songs ( they got so much better as time passed) and I also had no idea Alan was involved in that song.
This guy has been colouring the background of my life since I was 8, and I just turned 60. Beato, I cannot imagine losing all this insight and story telling, thank you so much. Amazing.
Alan's work shows up in so many places. I have a special regard for Al Stewart's 'Year Of The Cat' which to my mind is one of the best produced albums of the 70's
Hey Rick, I just wanted to say this interview with Alan Parsons was truly beautiful. I’ve admired Mr. Parsons ever since I was a kid and in my opinion, he is one of the most talented recording engineers/producers of all time, if not number one in my book. I loved to see his eyes gaze off into the distance when you played back his work. He truly has a golden ear. Thank you so much for your hard work and relaxed interview style, documenting these gems will be priceless for future generations of music lovers.
I went into watching this thinking an hour interview was going to be too long, when it was over I'm thinking why wasn't it longer? Mad respect for Alan Parsons. Rick, you knocked it out of the park on this interview.
No doubts: we'll need a few more hours of interview with Alan... One of my biggest Music influences when I was a teen! Rick, please get him to do Parts 2 and 3!!!!!!!!!
I felt the same way. I wish Rick would have talked with him more about APP and his solo work, as well as writing with Eric Wolfson. To me those were Alan's glory days, more than Dark Side, which is a Pink Floyd album.
Firstly, thank you Rick Beato for this and other interviews with iconic musicians; your work will become a historical record that will be treasured by generations to come. Godspeed! When I listened to the APP song “As Lights Fall” released in 2019, I was concerned about Mr. Parsons, as it seemed like a “swan song” of sorts. I wondered if that would be his last musical offering, as if in some way he was telling us he was terminally ill. I am therefore happy to see Mr. Parsons looking well, and hope that he will continue to delight the world with his iconic music (and the music of others) for years to come. Here is a true personal experience I hope people will enjoy- In July 2021, during a trip to Big Sur in California with my family, we stopped at the wonderful (and well-deserved “tourist-trap”) Nepenthe restaurant. For those that have never visited this iconic restaurant, it is a truly spectacular location, perched on the side of the hills, and overlooking the Pacific Ocean and coast. This was our second trip there (after about 16 years) and the first with our kids. As we waited for our table, we went down to the gift shop and were browsing around. In the aisles, ambling slowly in obvious pain, was a very tall man, who looked very familiar. It took me a minute to realize this was Mr. Alan Parsons, from the innumerable videos I had seen on YT. As my kids, then 11 and 7, browsed around, I was awestruck, uncertain if I should “chat him up”, when he seemed so obviously to be in (what probably was) back pain. He found a small alcove and sat down. I went about my business, and whispered to my kids- “see kids, that is Alan Parsons, whose band composed “Eye In The Sky”, and “Oh by the way, you know how I listen to so much Pink Floyd, right? He was the sound engineer for The Dark Side, and also for the Beatles”. My kids nodded some acknowledgment but were more interested in the tchotchkes at the gift shop and didn’t realize the importance of the man they had just seen. When later I saw him walking around again, I mustered up the courage, and went up to him, and obeying the COVID-19 related social/ physical distancing rules, said, “I don’t mean to bother you, but aren’t you Alan Parsons? I was just telling my kids about you. Your music is the soundtrack of my life as I was growing up in Mumbai, India”. He looked at me, shook my hand, and with a glint in his eye, and in his clipped British accent, very kindly said, “Thank you. Yes, I am. I’m just here with my family. I live nearby, in Santa Barbara”, and then sat down again, in obvious pain. I wanted to get his autograph, but decided against it, or the obligatory selfie, deciding that just the memory of that short encounter would be enough for me. It is now 2024, and that memory from 2021 is still burned in my mind. It is even more poignant, as I play my role as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of a Salt Lake City, Utah, based Pink Floyd tribute band, called “Quiet Desperation”, which has performed “The Dark Side of the Moon” in its entirety on stage over the past year.
I can almost see that scene. Been to Nepenthe 3 times. Lovely story. Greetings from Germany. I love the Alan Parsons Project until (incl.) Eye in the Sky. And I love his work with the Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Hollies and Al Stewart. In Germany, everybody knows 'Music' by John Miles - but nobody knows, who was behind that song. It is so obvious - soundwise ...
I was introduced to the project by my high school English teacher. He inspired us to read Poe by playing Alan’s first album (newly out when I was in HS) for us and assigning us to read the story and then to write a paper explaining why the song fit the story. A brilliant teacher. I not only learned Poe, I became a life long fan of Alan’s music.
I am so lucky I met Alan Parson at a a music fair at the Earls Court in the 90` He is such a gentle and polite guy you almost never meet in the music business. And you see, his calm reaction to the music played in this video, it´s just ordinary for him. Respect.
Rick absolutely love this interview with Alan Parsons such a gigantic influence on today's music he is definitely one of my heroes solo and collaborative !
Alan Parsons has been one of my heroes since 7, 8 years old. My dad made a cassette of I Robot and i played it all the time on my walkman. It was my way to escape all the stress at home and create a vacuum to disappear into. The man saved my life...
He relies heavily on nostalgia and melancholy , as it happens I like that type of music . Most people like 'upbeat' music , It's usually ' creative ' people that relate to APP .
Oh wow, this is one of my favorite legends right here. I listen to the entire APP discography, start to finish, regularly. Honestly, to me, the only way you could top this is to interview Jeff Lynne.
Jeff Lynne isn't in the same league as Alan Parsons. Compare Year of the Cat with anything from ELO in the 70s. Jeff Lynne productions always sound over-bright and scratchy to me.
Can we for second marvel at the fact that Rick has balanced the side table and his guitar with the coffee mugs!? He cares about this stuff more than we ever can imagine! And Holy Crap! There's Alan Parsons! BRAVO!!!
The Alan Parsons Project was my favorite band since Ammonia Avenue, but Alan's other "solo" albums are also very good. GREAT interview as always - nobody is better at interviewing these icons. I love this channel so much!
Back in 2016 found Alan Parsons Project albums in the vinyl collection I inherited from dad back in 2005. Didn't listen to them until I fixed his vintage vinyl player in 2016. The moment I put on the Eye in the Sky record I was blown away by the sound and the music. Sonically one the best sounding record I have ever heard.
The incredible diversity of content: deep dive song breakdowns, chart list analyses and critiques, interviews, instructional segments and more deserve 10 MILLION subscribers!! Thank you Rick for making so many lives that much more muscially enlightened.
Superb interview. I can thank my oldest brother, may he rest in peace for introducing me to Allen when I was 12 years old. He would return every summer from university and bring all his stereo equipment home along with all his albums. I couldn't wait until he got home each summer.
Alan Parsons, absolutely a genius. I play Sirius/Eye in the Sky many times as opening my own - amateur - gigs. Immediately fills the rooms with the most powerful sounds. Only someone who knows exactly what he is doing can remember exactly what equipment he used 40 or 50 years ago. Fabulous to witness, when they are listening to the tracks, the complete silence of both of them. Enjoying it, assimilating it, feeling it. Thank you, Rick. What a joy you are bringing us.
Rick! I hate to be greedy, but I need more Alan Parsons!! So much history with that man/that band! The late, great songwriter/composer Eric Woolfson! The great orchestra leader Andrew Powell (check out his soundtrack for the film Ladyhawke)! The rotating door of lead vocalists! His feud with David Paton (bass/vocals). His decision to tour, his "A Walk Down Abbey Road" live Beatles tribute! The album Freudiana, contractual obligations, etc. This man deserves at least two more full-length interviews!! His views on modern recording techniques, the future of music, etc. "Please, sir, may I have some more?"
Cannot say it enough times how important I think these interviews are. To have them all here in one place is just fantastic. These guys aren't getting any younger, and sadly, many are gone. Keep up the great work, Rick!
I was fortunate enough to take an in studio class with him and those 8 hours are my most treasured learning experiences. Every time I pick up a mic to setup I go back to what he taught me. Pure genius. Lucky to have him around and be generous.
There are no words to describe the significance of this moment in history. It's incredibly gratifying to listen to a conversation between people who love their work in such a humble and natural way. This has been the best 53 minutes of my day, and it will stay with me forever. By the way, I'm 43. Thank you very much, Rick and Alan, for leaving behind your legacy in your own unique ways.
I've been shouting from the mountaintops for years Alan Parsons belongs in the rock and roll hall of fame. His contributions are enormous. I've seen Alan with his project a couple times, met him once and two things: a very polite, humble man, and physically a HUGE man. It looks like he's lost some wight, but he used to be the size of an NFL defensive lineman.
I admire this man immensely! So humble and an amazing engineer, producer, songwriter, etc. No show, just all great music - perhaps the way it ought to be. A couple of years ago, APP put out a plea for arrangements of some of their “under arranged” songs. I am so honored to have my arrangement of “Turn of a Friendly Card, pt 2” (piano/vocal/guitar) for sale via their website.
Kudos to Rick for letting his interview subjects answer questions thoughtfully, instead of rushing in with uh-huhs or new interrogatories. Alan is an introspective but descriptive talent, I've been waiting for this full interview to come out for some time now.
Another great interview, Rick! I still recall my strange introduction to The Alan Parsons Project. I was a young kid during the 70’s, and one day walking a dirt road home to my house, a white cassette tape lying alongside the road immediately caught my attention. Picked it up, dusted it a bit, and was very curious about the band and title. The cassette was “I Robot”. Took it home and cleaned it a bit more. The little felt pad under the tape was missing, so I snagged one from an old blank cassette and glued it in place. The tape played fine and I played the heck out of it. What a gem to find! And I believe I still have that same cassette. Later on I purchased “I Robot” on vinyl, and it was the ultimate experience all over again. Pink Floyd’s “TDSOTM”, and Alan Parsons Project “I Robot” was a huge influence on me, and what I would consider the beginning of my fascination and journey into synthesizers and Electronic music. The rest is history…
Alan Parsons has given so much to the music and I'm so happy to see him here. What a great interview! My only complaint is the focus being too much on the Beatles and Pink Floyd stuff. I'd love see more about the APP and their own albums. And let's not forget about Eric Woolfson as well. :')
I "discovered" Parsons when I somehow ran across his "Poe" album and I was even more interested learning his history with the "giants." Then his "Project" material flowed out of his brilliant mind and I've never looked back. Such a humble, low key interviewee is astounding for the contributions he's made to the music industry over the years. Great job, too, Rick, for talking with this legend!
I met Alan in San Antonio,Tx. He was the most absolute coolest dude ever.. He had been one of my music idols since I was like 7yrs old back in 1978, so I was a bit wacky and he made me feel comfy and we talked a bit and I got some pics with him and it was one of the best days of my life and luckiest to have ran into him in S.A. of all places and he wasn’t on tour.. Just vacation I guess…
22:50 Alan's foot starts tapping along with "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You". Alan Parsons, I WOULD want to be like you. You've been a tremendously positive influence in my appreciation of music.
