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

Quote by Ruben Blades

Topics: Ruben Blades Quotes

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...

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...

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.

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 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...

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...

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

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

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.

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.

What I do not accept is the fact that so many people's talents were ripped...

What I do not accept is the fact that so many people's talents were ripped...

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...

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.

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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