An artist, if he is truly an artist, is only interested in one thing and that is to wake up the minds of men, to have mankind and womankind realize that there is something greater than what we see on the surface.

Natural fact is, I can't pay my taxes. Make me wanna holler and throw up on my hands.

Art is a way of possessing destiny.

Anger destroys your soul.

I'm hooked my friend to the boy who makes slaves out of men, and oh believe me, flying high in a friendly sky.

I'd been studying the microphone for a dozen years, and I suddenly saw what I'd been doing wrong. I'd been singing too loud. One night I was listening to a record by Lester Young, the horn player, and it came to me. Relax, just relax. It's all going to be all right.

LIVE for LIFE, but let live everybody