But, in fairness to them, too, the popular song per se is really a pretty shallow medium to perform in.

To me, nostalgia is nothing more than a mindless plundering of the past for the commonplace.

It may sound a bit like an army barracks, but the truth of the matter is: there must be some time laid aside for arranging, time for working on either a book or an article - I've written two articles in the last four months for the New York Times book review section.

But, in fairness to them, too, the popular song per se is really a pretty shallow medium to perform in.

As Buddy Rich, for instance, broke into the business at the age of three, I think it was, on drums, so indeed did I break into the business at the age of four as a singer.

Because obviously the whole purpose of putting records out is purely and simply to make money.

Whenever I did a good performance, my Dad and my uncles, who were rabid movie fans, took me to the movies. There began my underlying love affair with film.