I am here and you will know that I am the best and will hear me.

Once you get on stage, everything is right. I feel the most beautiful, complete, fulfilled. I think that's why, in the case of noncompromising career women, parts of our personal lives don't work out. One person can't give you the feeling that thousands of people give you.

I have never given all of myself, even vocally, to anyone. I was taught to sing on your interest, not your capital.

You should always know when you're shifting gears in life. You should leave your era - it should never leave you.

... we performers are monsters. We are a totally different, far-out race of people. I totally and completely admit, with no qualmsat all, my egomania, my selfishness, coupled with a really magnificent voice.

The ultimate of being successful is the luxury of giving yourself the time to do what you want to do.

The way I was taught, being black was a plus, always. Being a human being, being in America, and being black, all three were the greatest things that could happen to you. The combination was unbeatable.