Blakey quote

[umum_cypher]

It's in a Blumenthal liner note from the 70s, but I'd like to know the original source for this famous quote on Charlie Parker:

'A symbol to the Negro people? No. They don't even know him. They never heard of him and could care less'.

I think there are a number of variations (it being Blakey).

I remembered it as being in Notes and Tones, but I was wrong.

Thanks

Tom

[J.A.W.]

They never heard of him and could care less'.

I guess it's "They never heard of him and couldn't care less"

[jazzbo]

I'm pretty sure the quote is in Reisser's "Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker."

Hans, yes it should be that way but I've heard others speak it "could care less."

Actually I think the quote is "never heard of him, and care less."

http://books.google.com/books?id=qwX3f_CC2SUC&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=Charlie+Parker+as+A+symbol+to+the+Negro+people?&source=bl&ots=HkKFf3YYVj&sig=4oUZ-OncwsPqutENGcqFVfW_2LQ&hl=en&ei=ZKTuTNzzBMGblgfAuoXdDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCEQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false

Edited November 25, 2010 by jazzbo

[bertrand]

Yes, a lot of people have turned 'couldn't care less' into 'could care less'. Drives me nuts whenever I hear it. Whether Blakey made the mistake or not, I don't know. I know he didn't kill Bird.

Bertrand.

Edited November 25, 2010 by bertrand

[.:.impossible]

"Same difference"

[umum_cypher]

Yes, a lot of people have turned 'couldn't care less' into 'could care less'. Drives me nuts whenever I hear it. Whether Blakey made the mistake or not, I don't know. I know he didn't kill Bird.

Bertrand.

Me too. That's what it says here - blame Blakey, or Blumenthal!

I'm not being funny, but it's only in the US that people say 'could care less' when what the mean is, well, 'couldn't'. Separated by a common language etc etc.

Thanks for Reisner suggestion, will follow it up.

[.:.impossible]

I've always taken it to be sarcastic, as in "I could care less, but barely."