I decided we should book ourselves, so I started booking the band.

Quote by Ruben Blades

Topics: Ruben Blades Quotes

It's almost as if people think that in Latin America we're not hip to what's...

It's almost as if people think that in Latin America we're not hip to what's...

Every band had their own distinctive sound, but it was pretty much dancing music and...

Every band had their own distinctive sound, but it was pretty much dancing music and...

And, he'd seen me in Panama, and he talked about maybe doing something in New...

And, he'd seen me in Panama, and he talked about maybe doing something in New...

They're making a ton of money, and no one is getting a nickel.

They're making a ton of money, and no one is getting a nickel.

And music was a very important part of our lives. The radio was on all...

And music was a very important part of our lives. The radio was on all...

So that I saw music as a way of documenting realities from the urban cities...

So that I saw music as a way of documenting realities from the urban cities...

Yes, I was going to law school and it was closed in '69.

Yes, I was going to law school and it was closed in '69.

So everything that ever happened, we knew about in Panama.

So everything that ever happened, we knew about in Panama.

So that when I came from Panama... my family was exiled in 1973 and they...

So that when I came from Panama... my family was exiled in 1973 and they...

I think we risk becoming the best informed society that has ever died of ignorance.

I think we risk becoming the best informed society that has ever died of ignorance.

So that when I came to New York again, it was, I'm not too sure...

So that when I came to New York again, it was, I'm not too sure...

Rock is young music, it is youth oriented. It just speaks for a generation.

Rock is young music, it is youth oriented. It just speaks for a generation.

I was a kid, and I remember my mother singing. She was also a radio...

I was a kid, and I remember my mother singing. She was also a radio...

I was the first person to come into New York with a Latin American point...

I was the first person to come into New York with a Latin American point...

You know, it was uncomfortable doing the same thing. I don't like a rut.

You know, it was uncomfortable doing the same thing. I don't like a rut.

A lot of times you're just conditioned by what's around you.

A lot of times you're just conditioned by what's around you.

People are a lot smarter than anyone gives them credit for being.

People are a lot smarter than anyone gives them credit for being.

It doesn't make sense for me to be a lawyer in a place where there...

It doesn't make sense for me to be a lawyer in a place where there...

In those days the big U.S. labels didn't have any particular interest in the Latin...

In those days the big U.S. labels didn't have any particular interest in the Latin...

I think in New York we had respect and we would pretty much fill up...

I think in New York we had respect and we would pretty much fill up...