Memphis was almost like going to California. Beale Street was the black man's street.

Now that I'm gettin' old enough to get some money, I'd like to have some money. I don't get much made, I need to conquer a big chunk of money. Not quit playin' but quit playin' so hard.

Robert Johnson? No, I didn't know him, personally.

You get a heck of a sound from the church. Can't you hear it in my voice?

I was messing around with the harmonica... but I was 13 before I got a real good note out of it.

I got that first record out, it came out in '47... Then my name began to ring around. I began to take over. From that point, I tell you, Chicago was in my hand, all the more time that those guys had to listen to me.