I did what I felt, and I felt what I did, at all costs.

It was a way out of poverty. It was a way to success. It was a way to education. And it was a way to a brighter day for me.

I was washing dishes at the Greyhound bus station at the time and I said, 'Awap bop a lup bop a wop bam boom, take 'em out!'

I never accepted the idea that I had to be guided by some pattern or blueprint.

I let people know that it was all right to do the kinds of things I did.

I love God, and I'm a follower.

A lot of people call me the architect of rock & roll. I don't call myself that, but I believe it's true.