Let's take care of the necessities first: give people jobs, and find a way to get us out of poverty

When I played Lady Day, I took Aba onstage with me as a joke. He started singing-in tune!-and the audience loved it.

My recipe for life is not being afraid of myself, afraid of what I think or of my opinions.

Just because you are different does not mean that you have to be rejected

I am always trying to eat the right kind of foods that are going to keep me healthy.

My house was bugged. They couldn't find any information on me being a subversive because I happen to love America; I just don't like some of the things the government is doing.

Generally the whole entertainment business now is bland.