In terms of addiction, there is nothing more powerful than men's toys.

To appear on the stage drunk, to have them leave there and remember me making drunken mistakes, that was death.

Being a star has made it possible for me to get insulted in places where the average Negro could never hope to get insulted.

On a scale of one to ten, I would rate Elvis eleven.

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've done some things I wish I could erase. . . . I invented mistakes. But the mistakes must be seen in context, and they must be weighed along with the positives.

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