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.
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 had been on tour with people like Roy Orbison. I knew Bobby Darin Sam Cooke. So many great performers.
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.
All my songs were solo voices. Just me singing. In fact that was the gimmick - no gimmick. Just singing straight with not too much background.
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.
I was smart to tell you the truth. I'm not really bright but I'm not stupid.
They said hey look The Beatles deserve to be number one not Bobby Vinton. We're gonna cut your tires. Change that listing. They were dedicated at the time.
As far as critics I'm not a hip guy. I was never on drugs. Nobody ever felt sorry for me 'cause I went straight or found God. I always had God. I've always like played by the rules.
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 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.
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.
To me there is nothing better than me going into the studio with a live band and hearing those violins and that echo and that sound. I mean I loved it.
Everything they say about Elvis today is true. He was just one great guy. He wasn't jealous of anyone. I would say Elvis was really someone special when you add it all up.
To me there was nothing greater than to play for an audience and to entertain people and that has stayed with me all these years.
I had a big troupe a big army and it was a lot of fun. And after 10 years of that I just decided that I wanted to travel and do special dates. I go to Las Vegas these days.
When I owned the theater I had the Glen Miller Orchestra. I had 20 girls singing and dancing. I had a cast of characters. It was a big group production as well as ushers ticket takers.
It's just different today. Nobody seems to last too long these days. I wouldn't know how to get started today.
I must tell you to get started today must be very difficult 'cause whatever it takes today is very tough. They have to invest a million dollars in a video just to see if you have a hit record.
All around as a person on right decisions on holding your money on doing your trade a good education is a must. I don't think I would've done as good without an education.