Brian McKnight Quotes

I am grateful I got the chance to meet Stevie Wonder! He's like royalty to me and is one of my biggest inspirations.

I'll never be Bob Dylan. He's the master.

Ray Charles, in his own way, it's like at the beginning, Ray Charles changed American music, not once but twice.

I would love to do something with Bill Withers just because I think he's next-level, just so, so class!

Stevie Wonder was a big influence in my life.

Marvin Gaye was one of the coolest. I look to him as a style icon and as an artist.

I don't think anyone can measure up to what my father had achieved. I'm just happy to at least play some of his music, but he is really the one who was the pioneer, the one who started all this. He's really The King.

I always did have a kind of candle shining for Peter Green. I mean, he was my god.

As a kid, looking at Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, New Edition, the Temptations, Motown, people who I felt were huge artists, they made me wanna do something.

Shostakovich was one of the great symphonists of all time, and maybe the last great symphonist.

James Brown really taught me a lot - his lyrics and his performance and whatever he does when he's onstage. I'll always call him a legend, and I'll always respect what he did.

Thank you Prince for all of your inspiration and sharing your increadible talents with the world. You will be incredibly missed.

Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent. A strong spirit transcends rules,' Prince once said - and nobody's spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his band, and all who loved him.

I admire Johann Strauss a lot. I believe he was a genius of his time.

I know when somebody's heard my music. I can hear it in their music.

Marvin Gaye is an inspiration to me. He was one of the first Motown musicians that my mom and dad introduced me to, and I always thought it would be a good idea if I was ever an artist, and now I am, to make a record called 'Marvin Gaye.'

Thank you so much for supporting me from the day I stepped foot into the music industry. It really means something to me to have Maya Angelou speak on my behalf. It also means a lot to have Oprah on my speed dial!

People have told me that other artists have been influenced by my music, and it's flattering. It's a wonderful thing.

People like Frank Zappa were amazing for us Brits.

When the suggestion was made that I might consider doing music of Joni Mitchell, I thought it was a fantastic idea. Joni, I admire not only for her music but for her person, because she's a person that really stands out for what she believes in.

Even though James Burton was my idol, I didn't think I could carry his shoes back then.

Frank Ocean is our modern-day Marvin Gaye. In our house, we have nothing but respect for him.

I'm pretty obsessed with Sara Bareilles. She is so talented, and I feel like I would learn so much from her.

Give it up for Ray Charles and his beautiful legacy. And thank you, Ray Charles, for living.

I've always wanted to be mentioned in the same sentence or at the same time that you say Quincy Jones or you say Stevie Wonder. I never thought that could possibly ever happen.