Music, to me, is not not an elective- it's an essential part of life. If I couldn't make it, I'd still make sure I had it. If I should eventually go deaf, I'm sure I'll still listen to it in my head.

I've told the story before somewhere. Some years back I used to go to an open mike where I'd listen to the music and in the course of the evening drink three glasses of wine and then float home up the hill. I thought the floating feeling was due to the wine.

Then one night it was so crowded I had no chance to have as much as a cup of coffee, much less wine, so I just sat there and absorbed the music.

And when the evening was over, I floated up the hill.