I'm not starry eyed, and I'm not money crazy.

When I sing for myself, I probably sing for anyone who has any kind of hurt, any kind of bad feelings, good feelings, ups and downs, highs and lows, that kind of thing.

It's the same thing now. When I go onstage the young people scream and holler as much as the older generation.

The only time that I am really truly happy - when I feel at my best - is when I'm on the stage.

Long as I was riding in a big Cadillac and dressed nice and had plenty of food, that's all I cared about.

My mother used to play nothing but Billie Holiday.