To this day, I don't like people walking on stage not looking good. You have to look good. If you feel special about yourself then you're going to play special.

If I have something I want to do, I make a business of doing it.

When I first arrived (in New York), it seemed to me the most terrifying city in the world... all those big buildings. I remember walking on Broadway, looking up at this huge, mountainous place-and being so lonely. But things started to clear up when I met a few people on the street whom I'd met before-all of a sudden there got to be a certain familiarity about the place, and the terror kind of evaporated. There was a lot of playing going on, and the New Yorkers, of course, were a completely different crowd from what I'd known.

It takes the black keys and the white keys both, to make perfect harmony.

I think I've done a lot in this business, whether through screwball methods or not I don't know, that has helped other bands. I made a kind of road for them, you might say. If I raised my price, they found out about it and raised theirs. But somebody had to start it, to make the first move. You have to have the courage and confidence in your own ability. You have to know what the hell and who the hell you are in this business. Music may change, but I don't think that ever will.

If you want to do something, you do it anyway, and handle the obstacles as they come.

If a guy's got it, let him give it. I'm selling music, not prejudice.