I got my first guitar in October of 1968. I'm self-taught.

Playing guitar is not a beauty contest.

The muse of music isn't just from Greek mythology, but living in people like the Beatles, Chuck Berry, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin.

Don't believe everything you hear on the street.

You get to the point in life where you realize you have to roll up your sleeves, deal with the consequences of what happens, and carry your own weight.

My first gig was in Philadelphia and I played the drums for my older brothers. That same night, I also played drums for Martha and the Vandellas. Ah, the fond memories of being 14.

There was a lot of music in our home. Mom played piano in church and gave piano lessons.

It's no surprise to me or the other Isley brothers that I can sing, because I used to sing all the time in practice. The surprise is that somebody else likes it.

I am the cause of all my upsets. I am my worst enemy.

Don't call what isn't prophecy "prophecy." Don't say "the Lord told me" if you're not about to quote a Bible verse.

There is but one ultimate Power. This Power is to each one what he is to it.

Never let your campaigns write cheques that your website can't cash.

Why is it that loving something provides such little protection from betrayal?

If you want to create, you'll create.

The Harlem of my books was never meant to be real; I never called it real; I just wanted to take it away from the white man if only in my books.

A moment of anger can destroy a lifetime of work, whereas a moment of love can break barriers that took a lifetime to build.

Remember what people used to say about meditation? Now everyone is doing it.

You can do what you want, at home. But when you go out, keep it together.