I don't try to just be a blues singer - I try to be an entertainer. That has kept me going.

I was glad to see other blues guitarists like Albert King have crossover successes like me. We played in the same places like the Whisky and the Filmore. When Albert made his guitar cry, he could cut you so deep!

I've been married twice. Most women would rather not be married to a traveling blues singer

The blues was bleeding the same blood as me.

Water from the white fountain didn't taste any better than from the black fountain.

Jazz is the big brother of the blues. If a guy's playing blues like we play, he's in high school. When he starts playing jazz it's like going on to college, to a school of higher learning.

I gave you seven children, but now you want to give them back.