Carole King is one of my dearest friends. Were like family.

I started with Bobby Darin. He signed me to Capitol when I was 15. I was 14, getting ready to be 15. Then the next encounter I had was with I think Peggy Lee. I sang background with The Blossoms with Darlene Love.

I was able to endure and play a special part in music history. And I always managed to keep working, even if I wasnt a big solo artist.

My family is part Creole, and were Indian, and were also very, very black. My father was so black, he was blue.

I have always said every good thing is divinely sent from heaven.

My mother was a lupus patient. I was a child with the lupus gene.

Stay cool, stay humble, stay beautiful, and just do the work