Contrary to public opinion and the image people have of me, I grew up in a very lower-middle-class, blue-collar environment 40 minutes outside of New York until I was 11.

Doing musicals and theatrical productions, I never did any of my hits.

I was very wary of repeating my father's behaviour and did everything not to act like he did.

Most definitely, my dad was my biggest influence.

Acting was absolutely my first focus. I graduated high school in L.A., and two weeks afterwards, I moved to New York City, and I got a job in a mail room, and I got an agent, doing what actors do, with head shots and all the rest of it.

My first five albums were triple-platinum, and I played a lot of concerts.

Having all that - the fame and adulation and women and all that stuff they talk about - doesn't make you happy. You have to make yourself happy.

It's amazing what happens to your body as you get a little older.

Going through 'The Partridge Family,' I looked up to people like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck and all those guys. But as an actor playing a part, I had to sing what was right for the character and the show.

I've really sensed that people have an affection for me.

You cannot make a teenage idol.

It's a difficult journey when you're going through a divorce, is it not, for anyone?

I'm never going to retire and say, 'This is it. This is my last show.' I will not go on tour - I promised my wife and son no more than two weeks on the road.

My mother gave up a good part of her career to look after me.

My mother, Evelyn, was an actress and singer, and my father, Jack, was an actor. My earliest recollection of my father is being taken to see him in a matinee.

Once they began doing 'Celebrity Apprentice,' apparently the audience wasn't that keen on the ordinary apprentice. That is probably the best indictment with our fascination with celebrity in our culture, which drives me crazy.

My mom used to take me down to the Jersey Shore when I was 7, 8, 9 years old. I can remember being down in that area - Belmar, Seaside Heights, Asbury Park and all those places that I went back and revisited.

I had a lot of very religious influences - Christian religious.

My music was never considered cool, but I've always felt that connection with the audience.

I've always had a special relationship with the U.K. fans, because even when I wasn't working they were very supportive.

My dad left when I was 3 1/2, and he left my mom and I.

Oh, yeah. I grew up in Southern California in the 1960's. It was very different. I was an only child as opposed to having siblings. My brothers all lived with my step-mom. I am very close to them, but we were not raised in the same house.

I've been able to go on and have a successful career on Broadway and certainly the last five years in Las Vegas have been amazing.

It's been the work that has carried me and I never wanted to rest on my laurels or go back and do what I done before.