I know people I feel are extremely talented, but I don’t know that I’ve ever heard any geniuses.

And I was booked once to go on 'Ed Sullivan' and I got bumped and ran out the back door crying.

...the people at large absolutely gave James Brown respect. He was an original like a Rembrandt or a Picasso

I'm the lady next door when I'm not on stage.

I remember singing around the house to records that were playing. All kinds of music. And the great James Cleveland was often in our house, and I grew up with his sound as well.

Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I'm using to the highest degree possible the gift that god gave me to use. I'm happy with that.

I've always felt that rock & roll was very, very wholesome.