I think in New York we had respect and we would pretty much fill up the places where we went, but I never got the sense that we really were Number 1 here in New York among the Latin crowds.

Quote by Ruben Blades

Topics: Ruben Blades Quotes

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 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...

So I went to Miami in '74 with my family and while I was there...

So I went to Miami in '74 with my family and while I was there...

We had something to say. Whenever we played, people didn't dance, they listened.

We had something to say. Whenever we played, people didn't dance, they listened.

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.

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...

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

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

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.

It was very interesting, and we went to Germany and we toured Germany like we...

It was very interesting, and we went to Germany and we toured Germany like we...

I was born in Panama, the Republic of Panama, on July 16, 1948 in Panama...

I was born in Panama, the Republic of Panama, on July 16, 1948 in Panama...

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...

There was no television, so the radio provided you with everything.

There was no television, so the radio provided you with everything.

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...

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

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

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.

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

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

What is interesting in this is the exchange of music that occurred between New Orleans...

What is interesting in this is the exchange of music that occurred between New Orleans...

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.

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...