I haven't a great Jazz band and I don't want one.

A band ought to have a sound all of its own. It ought to have a personality.

We didn't come here to set any fashions in music. We merely came to bring a much-needed touch of home to some lads who have been here a couple of years.

We can speak our honest minds without compromise and without censorship and to each other and to our people. We can take our message directly to our people.

I thought I had swell ideas, and wonderful musicians, but the hell of it, no one else did.

Why do you judge me as a musician, John? All I'm interested in is making money.

We leaders are criticized for a lot of things. It's always true after a band gets up there and is recognized by the public.

You don't have to do anything. Why worry? It's all god's plan anyway. Just love everyone and believe.

The legal battle against segregation is won, but the community battle goes on.

The most interesting persons are always those who have nothing special to do: children, nurses, policemen and actors at 11 o'clock in the morning.

The workers have nothing to gain from this war, but they stand to lose everything that is dear to them.

Forget all your learnings - just remember that NOW is the moment that never ends

When we were at the Apollo, Holiday was a block away. I asked her for her autograph.

I actually barely ever go on the Internet.

Creating my own world in a comic or selling my first penny newspaper aged nine was a way of gaining recognition and acceptance by my peers.

Living life, I mean, my two stepsons, my husband, I think every day - today interaction inspires me - as far as music goes - inspires my art.

I'm a believer. I don't go to church. I don't belong to any particular religion, but I do believe in God. I couldn't write what I write about and be creative without a certain form of belief.

People recognize me, call me Ron, and ask me questions. It's really cool and weird as well.