Bobby Vinton

I did have a big following in the upper New York area. I was at the New York State Fair a few times over the years. I have areas that I say are my areas. ”

I remember Mick Jagger asking me 'hey, how do you guys feel about us coming over here and taking all the play from you guys?' I said 'Well, in a way, you have eliminated all my competition. ”

It's just different today. Nobody seems to last too long these days. I wouldn't know how to get started today. ”

I was a schooled musician. When I made 'Blue Velvet', I told everyone what to do. I was an arranger. I learned music in school I told the band to play this. I told the guitar to do that. ”

Nobody really thought I was going to make it, because I was a musician. I really wasn't a singer. ”

Sammy Davis, I backed him up. I used to study him every night. I saw how great performers worked and was able to incorporate a little bit from the best. ”

Times were changing. Clothes were changing. Morals were changing. We went from romantic loves songs like I used to do to rock 'n roll. Now that has changed to rap. So, there's always a new generation with new music. ”

Unfortunately, a lot of people are stupid. They take drugs. They get drunk and do all the wrong things in life. I just played it straight. ”

I played Big Band jazz music. I wasn't into rock and roll. I was just there because it was a living. I surprised everyone. I'm still surprising people. ”

The whole format of entertainment that I did seems to be fading away. The music business of today is completely different when you see the videos and the music. ”