I wasn't anything special as a father. But I loved them and they knew it.

My home has always been show business.

All I really had was my talent. Without that I wouldn't be welcome at the White House.

My mother was born in San Juan. So I'm Puerto Rican, Jewish, colored and married to a white woman. When I move into a neighborhood, people start running four ways at the same time.

Talk about handicap - I'm a one-eyed Negro Jew.

I have a respect for Elvis and my friendship. It ain't my business what he did in private. The only thing I want to know is, 'Was he my friend?', 'Did I enjoy him as a performer?', 'Did he give the world of entertainment something?' - and the answer is YES on all accounts. The other jazz just don't matter.

I had traveled 10 states and played over 50 cities by the time I was 4.