I've met every freak in the business.

Every day you must be able to say, I have to get up because I'm needed by someone. As long as you have that, you're healthy.

I was raised in Chicago and I guess that was one of the special breeding grounds for gangsters of all colors. That was the Detroit of the gangster world. The car industry was thugs.

What happens when you get a big break and you haven't prepared yourself? That becomes the biggest mistake you've ever made. I see it happen all the time.

Count Basie practically adopted me at 13. We became closer and closer and I ended up conducting for him and Sinatra.

Greatness occurs when your children love you, when your critics respect you and when you have peace of mind.

It's the attitude about life, man. Looking at the light instead of the dark. Looking at love instead of fear.