Every color I can think of and nationality, we were all touched by Dr. King because he made us like each other and respect each other.

Every color I can think of and nationality, we were all touched by Dr. King because he made us like each other and respect each other.

Count Basie isn't just a man, or even just a band. He's a way of life.

After I got over the terrible pain of having something of mine taken from me, I began to think how bad everybody else must be feeling. It wasn't a nice time.

50 years old is like springtime to me.

Nobody black or white who really believes in democracy can stand aside now; everybody's got to stand up and be counted.

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.