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

Quote by Ruben Blades

Topics: Ruben Blades Quotes

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.

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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.

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...

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...

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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.