I can tell whether a person can play just by the way he stands.

I said to [Lionel] Richie, "Man, my wife says you must really respect women because you write such beautiful love songs."

When I heard Coleman Hawkins, I learned to play ballads

The reason [drummers] call things "unison", and they sound unison, is because you actually play two different tempos . . . like you're a little sharp, or a little flat; it's so slight that they call it "unison", but it's not unison.

Some musicians play with their heart, you know what I mean? I don't know what to tell a person that can't - if you can't tell a person what you're talkin' about when they're rushin' or droppin' the tempo, you get somebody else.

You have to be born with it. You can't even buy it. If you could buy it, they'd have it at the next Newport Festival.

If you're going to drop behind, you have to keep it there.