My father was a very religious person. And he prayed five times a day. And he did that throughout his relationship with Ataturk - at a time when it was very brave to do because Ataturk was cutting off the heads of the imams. And people thought that that was foolhardy of my father.

My first wife was a theater person.

Theres two kinds of music: black soul music, and the white imitation thereof.

I came close to signing Elvis Presley. I offered $25,000 for his contract and they asked for $45,000 and I just didn't have the other $20,000. I should have gotten the Beatles. But one of my lawyers kind of messed up.

A singer's biographical film should have their music and their voice.

The all-time greatest Atlantic group - The Drifters

The songwriters whom we think of being the greatest songwriters usually write one hit and six or seven flops.