Always be smarter than the people who hire you.

Malcolm X made me very strong at a time I needed to understand what I was angry about. He had peace in his heart. He exerted a big influence on me.

Always be smarter than the people who hire you.

I want to sing like Aretha Franklin. Before her I wanted the technical ability of Ella Fitzgerald.

I remember the day tDr. King died. I wasn't angry at the beginning. It was like something very personal in my life had been touched and finished.

As much as I try, when I open my mouth, Lena comes out, And I get so mad.

I've seen so much. And I've heard so many great performers. There are performers now that couldn't work back in the days when I came along.