W: Charles, among other things, you regarded as one of the America’sgreat masters of the blues. A musical idiom does essentially about loss,particularly the loss of romantic love. Why does love die？
M: People often get into love affairs because they have unrealisticexpectations about somebody. Then when the person doesn’t turn out to be whothey thought he or she was, they start thinking maybe I can change him or her.That kind of thinking is a mistake. Because when the dust settles, people aregoing to be pretty much what they are. It’s a rare thing for anybody to be ableto change who they really are. And this creates a lot of problems.
W: At 62, you continue to spend a large percentage of your lifetouring. What appeals to you about life on the road？
M: Music, I don’t especially love life on the road, but I figure if youare lucky enough to be able to do what you truly love doing, you’ve got theultimate of life.
W: What’s the most widely-held misconception about the life of a famousmusician？
M: People think it’s all glamour. Actually we have the same troublesthey do. Playing music doesn’t mean life treats you any better.
W: How do you feel about being recognized everywhere you go？
M: You think I be used to it by now. But I still find it fascinating.You go to a little town in Japan, where nobody speaks English, yet they knowyou on side and know all your music. I’m still amazed by the love peopleexpress for me and by music.
Q12: What does the man sayabout most people when they get into love affairs？
Q13: What does the man sayabout himself as a singer on the road most of his life？
Q14: What do most peoplethink of the life of a famous musician？
Q15: How does the man feelwhenever he was recognized by his fans？