I'm just a musician and a record producer.

Communications are making this one world. Back in the day, 400-500 years ago, nobody knew what anyone else was doing. It's on the 6 O'Clock news now. Now we can say, Oh, that's the way they live. Oh, they do that!! Opportunities, the chance to bring about change, it's all based on communication. Communication and jet planes.

We were in the heart of the ghetto in Chicago during the Depression, and every block - it was probably the biggest black ghetto in America - every block also is the spawning ground practically for every gangster, black and white, in America too.

Excellence isn't an act, it's a habit

I'm never in my life going to do a record that's a tribute to myself. I don't need it.

I improvised my life along the way - I just moved step-by-step. And I knew that if I got better, something would happen.

I don't remember feeling love.