John McLaughlin Quotes

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John McLaughlin

Profession : Musician

Birth : January 4, 1942

I've been more or less vegetarian for about 40 years. Health diet really helps. I do meditation every day, and either yoga or sport several times a week.

John McLaughlin

At the risk of sounding hopelessly romantic, love is the key element. I really love to play with different musicians who come from different cultural backgrounds.

John McLaughlin

The Beatles, they brought a whole new dimension to pop music. Of course, the psychedelic period is much more interesting to me, starting with 'Rubber Soul' and on to the 'White Album.' Great, great records. I was such a Beatles fan. I was very sad when they broke up.

John McLaughlin

I have a great affection for Indian culture and music.

John McLaughlin

Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.

John McLaughlin

To pay attention to flattery or criticism is a waste of time for artists.

John McLaughlin

I find Indian music very funky. I mean it's very soulful, with their own kind of blues. But it's the only other school on the planet that develops improvisation to the high degree that you find in jazz music. So we have a lot of common ground.

John McLaughlin

Miles Davis himself, I discovered him when I was 15, and he rocked my world.

John McLaughlin

I'm not a classical player. I don't want to be a classical player. I love to improvise, because things happen that never happen anywhere else.

John McLaughlin

I discovered flamenco when I was 14, before I even got involved with jazz music. I was so crazy about flamenco music. I wanted to be a flamenco guitar player.

John McLaughlin

As far as favorite tunes, 'You Know You Know' is one, and why it is important is difficult to say. The rhythmic cycle is very interesting and challenging to play, since it can be considered three bars of 4/4 or four bars of 3/4. 'The Dance of Maya' is another, and I have to mention 'Sanctuary.'

John McLaughlin

The mathematics of rhythm are universal. They don't belong to any particular culture.

John McLaughlin

The moment you start to talk about playing music, you destroy music. It cannot be talked about. It can only be played, enjoyed and listened to.

John McLaughlin

There are two kinds of success. One is musical or artistic and the other is commercial.

John McLaughlin

You can have the greatest player in terms of mastering an instrument and you could be yawning your head off when you hear them. So, it's not what you do, but the way you're doing it and in the end that's all that we have.

John McLaughlin

I don't have any message in the music. Music will be fine as long as you take care of yourself.

John McLaughlin

Interplay and interaction are the integral parts of music - they're as important as the notes.

John McLaughlin

I've been studying the cultures of Asia for many years, and I'm very attracted to the culture of Japan, in particular to the impact Zen has had on the Japanese mind and spirit.

John McLaughlin

In my opinion, there is one singular problem with religions in general: they are exclusive. To me, this exclusivity is not right.

John McLaughlin

I don't have any particular goals in making a recording. In a way the recording is itself the goal. The music comes into my mind, and from there the main job is to give form to it.

John McLaughlin