I found this out over the years, that racism is a thinly veiled disguise over economics and money. It really is.

I went with Lionel Hampton for three years. Out of that came a trip to Europe.

Melody is king, and don't you ever forget it. Lyrics appear to be out front, but they're not; they're just an accompanying factor. If they're good, you're really in good shape. Lyrics are written to be rewritten.

When I was 13, I started working in a nightclub with Ray Charles. That's the greatest school in the world, the school of the streets. Ray taught me how to read in Braille. He was only two years older than me, but it was like he was 100 years older.

I met Ray Charles at 14, and he was 16. But he was like a hundred years older than me.

China's got a billion people and a hit record over there is a million records. You know that ain't right.