If you want to be a rock star or just be famous, then run down the street naked, you'll make the news or something. But if you want music to be your livelihood, then play, play, play and play! And eventually you'll get to where you want to be.
Interpretation
Success in music comes from dedication and hard work rather than seeking fame for its own sake.
Eddie Van Halen emphasizes that while shocking behaviors may garner quick fame, true success and fulfillment in music require persistence, dedication, and a genuine passion for the craft. The quote encourages musicians to focus on their art and practice continually to achieve their goals, rather than seeking fleeting attention.
In practice
This quote would be perfect to inspire young musicians at a workshop.
When I'm home on a break, I lock myself in my room and play guitar. After two or three hours, I start getting into this total meditation. It's a feeling few people experience, and that's usually when I come up with weird stuff. It just flows. I can't force myself. I don't sit down and say I've got to practice.
Music is for people. The word 'pop' is simply short for popular. It means that people like it. I'm just a normal jerk who happens to make music. As long as my brain and fingers work, I'm cool.
There's a plaque on our wall that says we've sold over 65 million albums, and I don't feel I've accomplished anything. I feel like I'm just getting started.
And if I would have taken lessons I probably wouldn't have done it, and what forced me to do all this weird stuff on the guitar was I couldn't afford effects pedals, I didn't have all this stuff when I was a kid so I just tried to squeeze all the weird noises I could out of the guitar, which brings me to building guitars.
Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine that no one could take away from me.
It's always a Catch-22 situation. They hate you if you're the same, and they hate you if you're different.
Didn't get promoted? Good. More time to get better.
At times some may think that no one cares--but someone always cares! Your Heavenly Father will not leave you to struggle alone, but stands ever ready to help.
When you feel in your gut what you are and then dynamically pursue it - don't back down and don't give up - then you're going to mystify a lot of folks.
Progress and innovation happen when you set unrealistic goals.
Oh, it's delightful to have ambitions. I'm so glad I have such a lot. And there never seems to be any end to them-- that's the best of it. Just as soon as you attain to one ambition you see another one glittering higher up still. It does make life so interesting.
Whatever course you have chosen for yourself, it will not be a chore but an adventure if you bring to it a sense of the glory of striving.
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