Sometimes when you start losing detail, whether it's in music or in life, something as small as failing to be polite, you start to lose substance.

It takes the black keys and the white keys both, to make perfect harmony.

If a guy's got it, let him give it. I'm selling music, not prejudice.

Too many young musicians today want to win polls before they learn their instruments.

After you’ve done all the work and prepared as much as you can, what the hell, you might as well go out and have a good time.

You have to look good.

To this day, I don't like people walking on stage not looking good. You have to look good. If you feel special about yourself then you're going to play special.

Creativity grows out of two things: curiosity & imagination.

I don't have any great love for Chicago. What the hell, a childhood around Douglas Park isn't very memorable. I remember the street fights and how you were afraid to cross the bridge 'cause the Irish kid on the other side would beat your head in. I left Chicago a long time ago.