I make no claim to being a business genius. You can make so much money in this business that it loses its value.

I'm not playing for other musicians. We're trying to reach the guy who works all day and wants to spend a buck at night. We'll keep him happy.

I'm in the music business for one purpose - to make money.

Get me well so I can get on television and tell people to stop smoking.

I often wonder whether Negroes like myself who are pretty well known help out at all in breaking down barriers.

I'm a musician at heart. I know I'm not really a singer. I couldn't compete with real singers. But I sing because the public buys it.

I felt something impossible for me to explain in words. Then, when they took her away, it hit me. I got scared all over again and began to feel giddy. Then it came to me... I was a father.