HAHA! I love the way John said things and caused stirs with his up front boldness with humour.
Comparing a performer to a songwriter is like comparing an actor to a playwright.
One creates the story framework.
The other performs it to people.
They only intersect if the artist does both at the same time, like an improvisational jam band or live theatre sports.
Gosh! How I love witnessing total improvisation! Spontaneous creation and performance intertwined..