Don Cornelius Quotes

I don't know that Dilla was the father of neo-soul as much as he was highly influential in that time when he was doing what he was doing at his best… Dilla's influence transcended genre and it transcended region.

In 1952, Muddy cut the song 'Rollin' Stone.' It was a nationwide success, and the song echoes down through rock n' roll history. Bob Dylan cut a tribute by the same name, an English band decided to call themselves the Rolling Stones, and the magazine that first embraced music as a serious cultural phenomenon was itself called 'Rolling Stone.'

I was mostly surprised by the rap artists, actually, that were influenced by Sabbath. That was a surprise. But it's very nice and I'm very honored. It's nice to know after 27 years now that what I said in the first place has stuck, and that was the belief in it.

I think everything Joni Mitchell did for music was big.

I think my legacy should be that when I started in show business, there wasn't no such thing as rock n' roll. When I started with 'Tutti Frutti,' that's when rock really started rocking.

My favorite artist in the world is Michael Jackson, and he revolutionized the music video aspect of music.

I used to imagine that making it in music - really making it in music - is if you're an old man going by a schoolyard and you hear children singing your songs, playing jump-rope, or on the swings. That's the ultimate. You're in the culture.

I was growing up listening to Queen. Freddie Mercury threw those incredible melodies into his songs.

Michael Jackson carried urban America and eventually American society on his vocal cords for a good 25 to 30 years before even hip-hop became the vox populi of America, and then as an adult he shattered racial barriers.

Bob Marley is one of the most recognized artists. He didn't care to be defined. People wondered, 'Is it reggae? Is it rock?' But at the end of the day they were still playing his music and that's what matters.

Bob Dylan is quite a songwriter, and a great singer and musician. I won't bother with comparing myself to him, but I will say that I heard his records at a very young age and I still listen to all his records.

I always wanted to work with Michael Jackson. His music will live forever and with technology nowadays... maybe I could.

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

Without David Bowie, popular music as we know it pretty much wouldn't exist.

I loved the Black Eyed Peas. I was obsessed with them, and they were my favorite group ever, and Amy Winehouse, as well; I love her.

We are just continually surprised and obviously happy that the interest in Queen and Freddie keeps alive. It's a constant source of pleasure for ourselves.

We told you Wu-Tang was forever, and some people forgot that. It's not some fad.

Cudi should be a top tier artist... I think he fathered a lot of the style of music. He's a good influence and a good help.

The thing about Shaggy's records are those records are very timeless.

Selena is a classic and timeless singer, and she really doesn't need an introduction. Her music is always good for the soul.

Ain't nobody bumping Nas no more, no disrespect to him. He had his time.

I don't care about the word 'pop'. The Beatles were pop; it's just what's popular.

ABBA was a direct influence on me.

In 2012, the city of Austin erected an eight-foot-tall bronze statue of Willie Nelson in the heart of the business district. Schoolchildren, churchgoers, tourists, slackers, conventioneers, tech geeks - everybody, it seems - now congregate around this ponytailed shrine to outlaw country.

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.'