My parents have not insisted that we go to college, but she wanted us to learn. Teacher, librarian, secretary, nurse. All my siblings were employed. But I wanted to be the boss, an independent contractor.

Romance is an illusion. Well, romance is not a complete illusion, but it's ephemeral. It does not last.

I sold my soul to rock 'n' roll.

I've always said we got married because there was nothing on TV.

Here I am, one of the most colorful women of my time - if not of my block - being made to sound positively legumelike in printed interviews.

Only two groups of people intimidate me absolutely: salespeople and the French.

One of my first role models was Eugene Lang, a wealthy businessman who went back to his elementary school in East Harlem and addressed the sixth-grade class. He looked out at that sea of faces and said, "If any of you wants to go to college, I will pay for it." When I read that, I burst into tears. It was so generous and so basic. Not fluffy. I can't understand why we scrimp on education and shortchange our kids. Why would the citizenry do that to the people who are going to inherit its republic?