The Artists We Lost in 2023, in Their Words

[Rocker (feedbot)]

“I never considered giving up on my dreams. You could say I had an invincible optimism.”​

— Tina Turner, musician, born 1939

“Hang on to your fantasies, whatever they are and however dimly you may hear them, because that’s what you’re worth.”​

— David Del Tredici, composer, born 1937

“Ever since I can remember, I have danced for the sheer joy of moving.”​

— Rena Gluck, dancer and choreographer, born 1933

“The stage is not magic for me. It never was. I always felt the audience was waiting to see that first drop of blood.”​

— Lynn Seymour, dancer, born 1939

“Most questions that are asked of me about Pee-wee Herman I don’t have a clue on. I’ve always been very careful not to dissect it too much for myself.”​

— Paul Reubens, actor, born 1952

“If you know your voice really well, if you’ve become friends with your vocal apparatus, you know which roles you can sing and which you shouldn’t even touch.”​

— Grace Bumbry, opera singer, born 1937

“Actors should approach an audition (and indeed, their careers) with the firm belief that they have something to offer that is unique. Treasure who you are and what you bring to the audition.”​

— Joanna Merlin, actress, born 1931

“If I have my health and strength, I’m going to be the most appalling old lady. I’m going to boss everyone about, make people stand up for me when I come into a room, and generally capitalize on all the hypocrisy that society shows towards the old.”​

— Glenda Jackson, actress and politician, born 1936

“Words are dreadfully powerful, and words uttered are 10 times more powerful. The spoken word is the science on which the entire universe is built.”​

— Sinead O’Connor, musician, born 1966

“God would like us to be joyful / Even when our hearts lie panting on the floor.” (“Fiddler on the Roof”)​

— Sheldon Harnick, lyricist, born 1924

“I remember back in the day, saying it’s so cool that the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie are still played. That’s what we wanted hip-hop to be.”​

— David Jolicoeur, musician, born 1968

“I don’t know if I’ve found my way, but I do know I feel happy.”​

— David Crosby, musician, born 1941

“The word ‘jazz,’ to me, only means, ‘I dare you.’”​

— Wayne Shorter, musician, born 1933

“Life teaches you how to live it if you live long enough.”​

— Tony Bennett, musician, born 1926