In the end, the sign of Aretha Franklin's artistry is that she always leaves her mark - first, on the music, then on us.

The Who, England's most self-conscious band, have released 'Quadrophenia,' which in turn freezes in time our image of the mid-Sixties Mod sensibility.

I saw rock n' roll future and its name is Bruce Springsteen.

The Beatles production is often so 'perfect' that it sounds computerized. 'Sgt. Pepper' really does sound like it took four months to make.

Bob Dylan was the source of pop music's unpredictability in the Sixties. Never as big a record-seller as commonly imagined, his importance was first aesthetic and social, and then as an influence.

It didn't matter that Charlie Chaplin may not have been a great director or a great anything else. He made great movies.

What makes the Stones' arrogance so divine is that we all believe that long ago and far away they weren't rich and famous but poor and struggling, just like us.

'Let's Get It On' is a classic Motown single, endlessly repeatable and always enjoyable.

Since her landmark 'Tapestry,' Carole King has both oversimplified and over elaborated that masterful album's style until her music has become something more overtly but less effectively personal.

There were many stars in Motown's firmament - among them, Stevie, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves and Diana Ross - but I happen to have loved the Four Tops most of all.

Barry White seemed so filled with self-parody at first that it was easy to dismiss him. But it is becoming increasingly obvious with every additional release that he is a very talented man.

Happiness is the feeling we experience when we are too busy to be miserable.

I do hate him. But I also love him. In the end, aren’t they the very same thing? Don’t they both take a back seat to what you fear?

All wars are full of stories that sound like fiction.

If you ever find that you're the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room.

I went through the usual stages: imp, rascal, scalawag, whippersnapper. And, of course, after that it's just a small step to full-blown sociopath.

People that are conceited of their own merit take pride in being unfortunate, that themselves and others may think them considerable enough to be the envy and the mark of fortune.

Well, I like to have fun at work.

He sent you to redeem me, to comfort me, and to heal me—and that’s just so far,” he added with a smile.

Fred Astaire’s got nothing on me.

We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.