Q: For years you were rarely seen without a cigar. I’ve never understood the appeal.
A: It’s an acquired taste. If I’m walking down the street and somebody is smoking a good cigar, my mouth begins to water. I stopped smoking cigars six years ago, but a good one still gets my attention. And I’m still trying to figure out what to do with my hands. Because I used to have a cigar in my hands from 7:30 in the morning till I went to sleep at night. Holding it. You get used to having this thing in your hand. It’s like a pacifier for a grown-up.

Q: What’s a fail-safe gift for a woman you want to impress?
A: I think it depends on the level of commitment that the two people have. Flowers are always loved. I don’t send them. I’m always criticized for that.

Q: You don’t send flowers? Why?
A: Because they’re an extravagant waste of time, effort, energy, and money.

Q:See, that’s wisdom.
A: I don’t think so. I think it’s foolishness. Because I get criticized, and those who send flowers do not get criticized.

Q: Are there times when it makes sense to go ballistic at the office?
A: I do it because sometimes I get so frustrated or upset that I can’t control it, and I want to let people know how badly I feel about an issue or how mad I am about something. But I think it’s more effective if you’ve got real control of the English language—to tell the other person, in five words, what an ass you think they are. But I unfortunately don’t have that ability. The Brits do. I marvel at that.

Q: Is it true that you tape your phone conversations?
A: Absolutely not. Not true. Nobody would ever talk to me if that was true. And what’s the point of it, you know?

Q: You recently gave $20 million to Carnegie Hall.
A: Music plays a very important role in my life. I’m a frustrated musician. I play the drums.

Q: Wait. You play the drums? Do you play them at home?
A: Yeah, yeah. Every house has a drum set. And whenever I can, I play. Every corporate gig that we have, the musicians traditionally have let me play with them, so I’ve played with some very interesting people. Al Green, Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, the Beach Boys. If it’s a good group and they carry me along, I’ll play for a few hours. If I’m not comfortable playing, I’ll play one tune.

Q: Do you let off steam that way?
A: I sure do.