As a singer I tried on all these hats, these voices, these clothes, and eventually out came me.

Well, I tried to get a record deal in 1966 or '67, and everyone thought I was too eclectic.

We have tried to steel ourselves,

It didn't matter as much because I'm a singer, not an actress, but my face is more acceptable in a way now than when I first came on the scene, because I'm part black.

I'm not keen on cars and motorbikes. I tried to be a biker, but it wasn't me - I bought a Harley-Davidson and dumped it.

I fell in love with the public, the public fell in love with me, and I tried to keep it that way.