“George Carlin is funny. Congenitally, genetically funny. He's got these harty-har-har chromosomes and genes. Carlin is TRANSLUCENTLY funny.”

“I was so goddamned defensive because people had always considered me a rather muscular mono-minded greasy-teeshirt slimy-type neighborhood guinea.”

Herewith, 50 freeze-dried maxims to ponder before you start celebrating

“CBGB could become the Cavern of a new generation. The Ramones could become its Animals. And 'Punk' could become its 'Esquire.'”

“Mercury plays a dumber version of Bowie's cul­tured stud, May a mutant Page with less control. With Queen, con­fused image takes precedent over content.”

“Most of the Harlem people I talk to grow quiet when I mention Gross’s name, except to make it clear that they don’t know any­thing, don’t know anyone who knows anything, and wish I wouldn’t pursue the story.”

"By playing majestic ball and with some front office high­handedness, this Yankees team resembles the pin-striped aristocracy of old"

He commands the most imposing force in theatre, uniting playwrights and philanthropists. Does he run like Henry V or Sammy Glick?

"This walking crystallization of cankerous cynicism possesses such legendary anticharisma that there's something princely about him, something perversely impressive"

“I’m a good novelist and I’ll get better. I’ve found my calling and if I have my way I’ll be turning out books for the next half-century, books that will blow people away. But right now all I want is to be read.”