"If you are really effective at what you do, 95% of the things said about you will be negative."

“Yes, I love to play drums and bass and guitar and piano. Those are the main instruments I play. That is it.”

Source : "Conversations With Electric Light Orchestra’s Jeff Lynne, The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz and The Rippingtons’ Russ Freeman". Interview with Mike Ragogna, www.huffingtonpost.com. October 19, 2012.

“I played a major role in the spread of crack cocaine, the marketing of crack cocaine, the glamorization of crack cocaine. But it's hard to say that it was totally my fault. My judge in Cincinnati told me, "Mr. Ross, I know that the prosecutor and the media and the DEA all want to blame you for this problem, but I sentenced my first drug dealer the year you were born, so I know you're not the cause. This is a problem we've had since before you were born."”

“I wrote and produced millions and millions of selling records, so my publishing company alone was worth millions of dollars. I didn't have to work anymore in life because when the rappers started sampling... I'm the most sampled artist in history.”

Source : FaceBook post by Rick James from Jul 27, 2012

“I don't really think of Valentines Day as much of a holiday, you should show love for people you care about everyday.”

“The only true riches are those that make us rich in virtue. Therefore, if you want to be rich, beloved, love true riches. If you aspire to the heights of real honor, strive to reach the kingdom of Heaven. If you value rank and renown, hasten to be enrolled in the heavenly court of the Angels.”

“I'm death obsessed. You know, I have death all over my house. I have a stuffed two headed sheep!”

“The future, according to some scientists, will be exactly like the past, only more expensive.”

“It all depends whether hope is in front or behind you.”

Source : William John Locke (1902). “The Usurper”