Long as I was riding in a big Cadillac and dressed nice and had plenty of food, that's all I cared about.

When Malcolm X was assassinated I was working at the Apollo. They brought his body to the Unity Funeral Home, which was around the corner.

Once you lose the weight, you're really anxious to eat healthy.

I was originally like a punker, know what I mean, like the punks are today, I'd spit in a minute.

People always say 'Etta, you know what your problem is? You're neither fish nor fowl. There is no place to rack you.' When I would go in a record shop, you might find one or two records by me in different stacks.

I am so happy that I am alive and can walk.

It's not about battling the original artists when I record these songs, it's about paying tribute to them.