My first job was with The O'Jays playing drums.

I think if you look back at the lead singers that left groups that didn't make it, you'll see that a lot of them were songwriters like Lionel Richie. I mean, they were able to control their own destiny.

A protest is supposed to be public. How can you do it if you don't do it in front of an audience?

With pop, it's pretty much straight up and down. It has to be simple. Everybody has to be able to walk down the street and be able to sing it.

When I was 21 I stopped and got married. I tried for a while to be the perfect wife, society this, society that but it wasn't working, so after about a year I went back to work.

Always protect yourself. Every woman, no matter what her age, romantic or marital status, should have a bank account in her own name.

The best romance writers know there's nothing that builds conflict or makes a gentleman of a rogue more quickly than responsibility.

On a personal note: I have contracted an outstanding case of breast cancer, from which I intend to recover. I don't need get-well cards, but I would like the beloved women readers to do something for me: Go. Get. The. Damn. Mammogram. Done.