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.

I did a little bit to raise the dignity and recognition of the greatness of African-American music.

I used to drink a bottle of vodka a day, every day, for about 40 years and it never occurred to me it'd kill me. If I'd have continued it might have killed me. My doctor said I should stick to wine.

Whenever a songwriter writes a big hit, then the next 20 songs they write - no matter how bad they are - get recorded.

My father believed very strongly in Ataturk. Ataturk was a very powerful man and a man of great vision.

My first wife was a theater person.