When I did the national anthem, I did a soulful, kind of gospel-y version, but it was controversial with the war veterans, just the people who wanted to hear it the old, clinical, atmospheric way, and I didn't want to sing it like that.
I was a teen idol in Latin America.
I became a teen idol. At the time, it embarrassed me.
I didn't have romances when I was in school. Girls didn't want to go out with me because I was blind.
I know Ritchie Valens in 1959 had 'La Bamba' but to be totally Spanish - because, you know, Ritchie didn't speak Spanish - but to be a total Latin artist like myself, to be out in a field where there weren't any categories for Latinos... I felt good that I was maybe - I didn't know it at the time - but I felt good that I opened the door.
People are really surprised by the fact that I keep in touch with the latest trends rather than retreating to the distant past.
