I have always respected everyone's religion. As I say, there is only one God and a lot of confused people.

I think we musicians are emissaries. Every time we go before the public, we're there to make converts.

I've always known I was gifted, which is not the easiest thing in the world for a person to know, because you're not responsible for your gift, only for what you do with it.

There's a time when you have to explain to your children why they're born, and it's a marvelous thing if you know the reason by then.

Who ever walked behind anyone to freedom? If we can't go hand in hand, I don't want to go.

There's only one free person in this society, and he is white and male.