I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.

Hitler didn't snub me - it was our president who snubbed me. The president didn't even send me a telegram.

I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible. From the air, fast down, and from the ground, fast up.

Although I wasn't invited to shake hands with Hitler, I wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the President either.

Well, I couldn't play an instrument. I'd just stand up front and announce the numbers. They had me sing a little, but that was a horrible mistake. I can't carry a tune in a bucket. We played black theaters and nightclubs all over hell. One-nighters. Apollo Theater in Harlem and the Earle Theater in Philly - That was big time for blacks.

I decided I wasn't going to come down. I was going to fly. I was going to stay up in the air forever.

People come out to see you perform and you've got to give them the best you have within you.