I Love The Classics But There Are

I Was Reared In The Church From The Age Of Three. I've Played Piano Since I Was Three. I Performed At Revivals And For My People Around North Carolina For Several Years. People Around Town Collected Money To Send Me To School.

I Can Read And Arrange, But I Can't Write.

I Only Knew Classical Music, Which To Me Was The Only True Music. The Only Way I Could Survive At The Bar Was To Mix The Classical Music With Popular Songs, And That Meant I Had To Sing. What Happened Was That I Discovered I Had A Voice Plus The Talent To Mix Classical Music Together With More Popular Songs, Which At The Time I Detested.

Talent Is A Burden Not A Joy. I Am Not Of This Planet. I Do Not Come From You. I Am Not Like You.

My Job Is Not Done. I Address My Songs Now To The Third World. I Am Popular All Over Asia And Africa And The Middle East, Not To Speak Of South Africa, Where I'm Trying To Go To See Nelson Mandela.