I never learned to read or write music. Never wanted to fool with scales. That was boring, forced. The music I heard was free - flowing.

I woke up one morning, went downstairs, said 'Good morning' to my mother and nearly scared both of us to death.'

Everyone to me has to pick a subject to talk about in music if you're going to be a writer.

Blacks own so little of the music business, it's pathetic. But I see that changing soon. Black artists, black businessmen and women will unite.

I never learned to read or write music. Never wanted to fool with scales. That was boring, forced. The music I heard was free - flowing.

I quit high school on my birthday. It was my senior year and I didn't see the point. This was 1962, and I was ready to make music.

I'll come to you with gifts of knowledge, wisdom and truth.