October 14: Notable Births, with Quotes
Explore memorable and revealing quotes from public figures, past and present, who were born on October 14.
Usher, singer (October 14, 1978–present)
“I wasn’t a traditional R&B artist, and I’d never really had the childhood pop-sensation record.” —Usher
Blanchet, Brenton. “Usher on 25 Years of ‘My Way,’ R&B’s Impact, and Leaving a Legacy.” Complex, September 16, 2022, https://www.complex.com/music/usher-interview-my-way-anniversary
“I’d say that ‘My Way’ was very significant for my era of artists and art history and reminding people that even though hip-hop mattered, R&B did as well, because I do think that it became more about the opulence and the lifestyle more so than the dance and the entertainment. I can literally remember a time when dance was not popular, when it was almost like it was shunned, like you doing too much if you go to the club and you sweat it out. Like nah, man. But that’s what entertainment is about.” —Usher
Blanchet, Brenton. “Usher on 25 Years of ‘My Way,’ R&B’s Impact, and Leaving a Legacy.” Complex, September 16, 2022, https://www.complex.com/music/usher-interview-my-way-anniversary
Thomas Dolby, musician (October 14, 1958–present)
“I’ve always steered clear of situations that involved spontaneous music in an intimate setting. It always sort of terrified me, because I’m really a “studio guy”. I work really hard to achieve the sound and performances that I get. I’m not a spontaneous, song-and-dance guy who can sit down at a piano and jam.” —Thomas Dolby
PopMatters Staff. “A Synth Pioneer Returns: An Interview with Thomas Dolby.” PopMatters, October 4, 2011, https://www.popmatters.com/149541-a-synth-pioneer-returns-an-interview-with-thomas-dolby-2495937779.html
“I tend to gravitate towards stuff that’s really hard. I like a situation that you find yourself in where you really don’t know what you’re doing. I find it terrifying and thrilling in equal measures. What comes out of it often surprises me, because I didn’t know I was capable of doing it.” —Thomas Dolby
PopMatters Staff. “A Synth Pioneer Returns: An Interview with Thomas Dolby.” PopMatters, October 4, 2011, https://www.popmatters.com/149541-a-synth-pioneer-returns-an-interview-with-thomas-dolby-2495937779.html
Ralph Lauren, fashion designer (October 14, 1939–present)
“It’s not just about clothes; it’s how you live. It’s like with my restaurants. I didn’t know they were going to be successful. I just had a feeling for what I wanted. It’s the same as the clothes. It feels the same. Now, you got to keep it going, you got to keep the food good, you’ve got to keep the clientele happy, you’ve got to do the things that maintain a business and keep it going. You’ve got to service it; you’ve got to live with it; you’ve got to build a brand; you’ve got to get people in; you’ve got to get the right people that understand it. So, everything is a culture – building the culture and understanding the culture.” —Ralph Lauren
Jones, Dylan. “Ralph Lauren: ‘I became the celebrity. You’re not coming in to buy someone else.’” GQ, October 14, 2018, https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/ralph-lauren-interview-2018
“I don’t believe that everything has to be a cashmere sweater and a pair of luxury flannels. Not everyone can afford Ralph Lauren Purple Label and not everyone wants it. So I made clothes for the preppy, for the RRL guy, for the luxury sportswear guy. Is it a dressing-up box for the American Dream? I think it’s more about me and what I’ve tried to do.” —Ralph Lauren
Jones, Dylan. “Ralph Lauren: ‘I became the celebrity. You’re not coming in to buy someone else.’” GQ, October 14, 2018, https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/ralph-lauren-interview-2018
Dwight D. Eisenhower, former U.S. president (October 14, 1890–March 28, 1969)
“There is no nation, great or small, with which we would refuse to negotiate, in mutual good faith, with patience and in the determination to secure a better understanding between us.” —Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower, Dwight D. “January 5, 1957: Eisenhower Doctrine.” Miller Center, January 5, 1957, https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/january-5-1957-eisenhower-doctrine.
“The Middle East is the birthplace of three great religions—Moslem, Christian and Hebrew. Mecca and Jerusalem are more than places on the map. They symbolize religions which teach that the spirit has supremacy over matter and that the individual has a dignity and rights of which no despotic government can rightfully deprive him.” —Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower, Dwight D. “January 5, 1957: Eisenhower Doctrine.” Miller Center, January 5, 1957, https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/january-5-1957-eisenhower-doctrine.
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