New Orleans ( CNN ) -- When George Clinton enters the room , I wonder if I should salute him with an `` Atomic Dog '' bark or hug him . The 70-year-old architect of P-Funk does n't look his age and today he 's dressed in his signature hat , shades and jeans . He greets me with a warm smile . I return it . My mission is to learn the secret to his longevity . He 's still performing and touring after all , something he 's done since the 1950s . Initially his hoarse voice alarms me . I silently remind myself of his age . When I ask him , as I always do of my Red Chair guests , to introduce himself on camera , his voice transforms immediately . He barks loudly and deeply . You Parliament-Funkadelic fans know what I mean . When he relives some of his greatest hits -- `` I Wan na Testify , '' `` Maggot Brain , '' `` One Nation Under a Groove , '' `` Chocolate City , '' and `` Flash Light '' -- he is animated . His stories are so visual , I too can see the band and him onstage . `` Every 10 years , we had a big hit , '' he reflects . Clinton is known for rebranding . He would change the lead , the look and name of his bands with the times to great success . I ask what encouraged him between decades . He gives credit to his numerous band mates throughout the years . Bootsy Collins is among them . It is clear he still misses the band members who have died , too . He reminisces about the man known for wearing a diaper on stage , `` Diaperman '' Gary Shider . Clinton had known him since 1953 . He died in June 2010 . He and Eddie Hazel had been friends even longer , since 1950 . He was the lead guitarist for Funkadelic . He died in 1992 . Clinton also says his music and fans have kept him going . Although he used to straighten people 's hair when he was a teenager , he can not imagine a life doing anything else but music . Clinton 's songs are among the most sampled . He tirelessly fights to protect artists ' work . Piracy is the word he uses most often during our interview . He has advice for others wanting to get into the business . He says he would be hypocritical if he said to not abuse drugs . `` 'No ' is the greatest aphrodisiac in the world , '' he said . `` If you tell a kid to not do something , well , guess what he will do . '' He acknowledges he , too , may have made better decisions if he had been on top of his game . `` It 's hard for him to do [ drugs ] and pay attention to the money , '' he says . Clinton says he is healthy , has energy and hopes to do what he loves best for years to come .
CNN sits down with George Clinton for a Red Chair interview . The P-Funk mastermind says his music and fans have kept him going . He pursues piracy issues and tirelessly fights to protect artists ' work .