Mel Torme Quotes & Sayings

“As regards my feelings about drummers - there's Buddy Rich, and then there's everybody else.”

“I would be a liar if I said it wouldn't be lovely and soothing - that's the word - to have a hit single or a hit album.”

“Because Chicago was to radio what Hollywood was to films and Broadway was to the theatre: it was the hub of radio.”

“But, in fairness to them, too, the popular song per se is really a pretty shallow medium to perform in.”

“My initial career, really, as a baby, was as a singer.”

“I didn't really have an act per se - a theatrical performance, as opposed to just: here I am, folks, and you're all supposed to be dead quiet while I sing eight or nine songs, then get off the stage.”

“It may sound a bit like an army barracks, but the truth of the matter is: there must be some time laid aside for arranging, time for working on either a book or an article - I've written two articles in the last four months for the New York Times book review section.”

“So I'm sorry, I'm going to continue to talk to the people, because I do believe that if they get to know you and what you are as a human being, they can more appreciate what you are as a performer.”

“Buddy Rich is one of a kind; he's a genius, and that's all there is to it.”

“See, I never wrote arrangements for the band for Judy Garland; I did strictly special material, special lyrics, put together all of her medleys.”