I'm a businessman. I work for business people. The kind of thing they say is: Now we've sold a lot of records, let's sell some more.

I can't bear to see myself even in movies. The feeling is complex. I can't stand the sight of myself.

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.

The whites come to applaud a Negro performer just like the colored do. When you've got the respect of white and colored, you can ease a lot of things.

I am an American citizen and feel I am entitled to the same rights as any other citizen.

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

Smile and maybe tomorrow you'll see that life is still worth while if you just smile