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

Quote by Ruben Blades

Topics: Ruben Blades Quotes

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...

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...

I didn't do drugs, I never did do drugs. Never. I don't have any story...

I didn't do drugs, I never did do drugs. Never. I don't have any story...

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...

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.

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

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

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

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

So that in 1974, when I graduated as a lawyer, I figured I'm not going...

So that in 1974, when I graduated as a lawyer, I figured I'm not going...

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 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...

But, when I was about thirteen, I began to sort of sing in my neighborhood.

But, when I was about thirteen, I began to sort of sing in my neighborhood.

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.

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...

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.

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

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

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 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...

Anywhere you had a commerce center, you had a lot of music.

Anywhere you had a commerce center, you had a lot of music.

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...