A violinist had a violin, a painter his palette. All I had was myself. I was the instrument that I must care for.

I actually played violin on 'E.T.' I used to be a violinist.

The only reason I am successful is because I have stayed true to myself.

The true mission of the violin is to imitate the accents of the human voice, a noble mission that has earned for the violin the glory of being called the king of instruments

They gave you a string instrument - I got a violin. Gave it to me. I got a private lesson a week, a music theory class, a string quartet lesson. Then we all got together for the orchestra. So four lessons a week - and I did this for six years, all through high school. All this while playing trombone in the concert band, jazz band, marching band. And singing in the a cappella chorus and drama club. And on the side, I was in two rock bands, hack garage bands.

I remember when Lindbergh arrived in Paris, I was one of the first persons to know about his landing, because as the French people know that I was born in St. Louis, thinking I would be very proud to announce it to the public, they gave me the news first. I was then starring in the 'Folies Bergere.'