Mom never quit on me. My only regret is that she didn't live long enough to share some of the money and comforts my work in show business has brought me.

There had been lots of crises in my life. And there was plenty of spunk and battle cry still left in me.

I could always open shows, perform through the middle, and close shows.

What broke Mom's heart was realizing that her children knew nothing and cared nothing about the better side of life.

I could depend a lot on my shaking, though I never shimmied vulgarly and only to express myself.

New York is only 97 miles from Philadelphia but was the Big Time as no other American city has ever been.

There was one emotional outlet my people always had when they had the blues. That was singing.