Most of it was nuts, but I was determined to be a drummer as soon as I left school.
John BonhamRead
I've always been obsessed with drums. They fascinate me. Any other instrument - nothing. I play acoustic guitar a bit. But it's always been drums first and foremost. I don't reckon on this Jack-of-all-trades thing. I thing that felling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of passion and originality in music over mere technical skill.
In this quote, John Bonham expresses his deep obsession and fascination with drums, stating that no other instrument compares to his love for them. He believes that while technical proficiency is valuable, it is the emotional connection and originality in music that truly matters; being able to express oneself uniquely is more significant than simply mastering complex techniques that may lead to sounding like everyone else.
In practice
At a music workshop, inspiring young musicians to pursue their passion without worrying about technical perfection.
Most of it was nuts, but I was determined to be a drummer as soon as I left school.
When I started playing music, people weren't selling 5 million records. That was not the standard; that was not the focus.
If I'd known white people were going to buy my last album, I never would have recorded it.
'When Doves Cry' came out - it sounded like nothing that was on the radio. 'Let's Go Crazy' was number one on R&B stations, and there's nothing that's been like that on radio since.
Listen kid, take my advice, never hate a song that has sold half a million copies.
Many people don't understand how disciplined you have to be to play jazz... And that is really the idea of democracy - freedom within the Constitution or discipline. You don't just get out there and do anything you want.
When I play, maybe 'Back o' Town Blues,' I'm thinking about one of the old, low-down moments - when maybe your woman didn't treat you right. That's a hell of a moment when a woman tell you, 'I got another mule in my stall.'
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.