I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to.

I never expected to be anybody important.

I was an only child, and Mother was always right with me all my life. I used to get very angry at her when I was growing up-it's a natural thing.

I wore glasses, no music, and I won - I think it was - fifth place. I got a whipping the same day. My mother whipped me for something. Destroyed my ego completely.

When I got outta High School I was driving a truck. I was just a poor boy from Memphis, Memphis.

Since I was two years old, all I knew was gospel music. That music became such a part of my life it was as natural as dancing. A way to escape from the problems. And my way of release.

On a cold and gray Chicago morning another little baby child is born in the ghetto, and his Mama cries.