Rock stars are a curious breed of human being. On one hand, they are highly creative, thought-provoking artists that influence millions. On the other hand, they can struggle to be functionally literate. No matter what, they have something to say.
A lot of people don’t know about music, but buy records. A lot of people that know about music can’t afford to buy records.
–Marc Bolan, T.Rex-
Bolan’s hippie/glam rock and roll sold a lot of records in the early 1970s. This may have been an indictment on himself and the “T-Rextasy” craze or probably just the music business as a whole. Unfortunately, music piracy has not exactly rectified the situation.
Nowadays you can’t be loud enough!
-John Bonham, Led Zeppelin-
If that does not put Led Zeppelin in a tight nutshell, I do not know what would.
I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.
-David Bowie-
Even during his late 80s/early 90s lull, David Bowie was far from boring. At his peak he was one of the most dynamic rock stars in the world.
We didn’t have any instruments, so I had to use my guitar.
-Maybelle Carter, The Carter Family-
Mother” Maybelle may not be the definition of rock star, but she did more for the guitar than any other folk/country musician did. By strumming with her thumb while she picked the melody with her fingers, Carter influenced generations of musicians in any genre.
I love rock-n-roll. I think it’s an exciting art form. It’s revolutionary. Still revolutionary and it changed people. It changed their hearts. But yeah, even rock-n-roll has a lot of rubbish, really bad music.
-Nick Cave, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds-
Punk, poet, novelist, actor and musician. Nick Cave has done it all, and done it well.
I find humming is very useful.
-Elvis Costello-
Costello is the kind of cranky music purist that is not afraid to publicly decry or promote certain music. He also has a sense of humor.
I want people to be ecstatic but to cry at the same time.
-Wayne Coyne, The Flaming Lips-
This really is the Flaming Lips music described in one sentence. Who can argue with him when they accomplish this goal so well?
Rock music should be gross: that’s the fun of it. It gets up and drops its trousers. and The more guitars we have onstage the better, as I’m concerned.
-Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden-
Both of these quotes exemplify why Iron Maiden has been around so long and why Dickinson is one of the best metal vocalists ever. They absolutely get the point of what is great about rock and roll.
How would you like to bite that in the [butt], develop lock jaw and be dragged to death?
-Willie Nelson-
I love Willie.
I like you. You’re all right. Actually, I like you better meeting you than if somebody had just given me your record.
-Joey Ramone, The Ramones-
Joey Ramone looked like a lost puppy. He was sad and needed someone to give him a warm place to sleep and something to eat. Then he took the stage and ripped your face off. I guess that was part of the punk ethos. Will rock for food, but nothing else you capitalist pig.
Don’t do anything by half. If you love someone, love them with all your soul. When you go to work, work your [butt] off. When you hate someone, hate them until it hurts.
-Henry Rollins-
Rollins is a serious person. You would have to be do everything he does. This quote is the cornerstone of his whole life. Intense.
These last two quotes are from two luminaries in the music world. They also could not be further apart from each other.
Rock and Roll: Music for the neck downwards.
-Keith Richards – The Rolling Stones-
As usual, the chairman of the board will get the last line. He nails what rock and roll is and why it is so great.
Rock and Roll: The most brutal, ugly, desperate, vicious form of expression it has been my misfortune to hear.
-Frank Sinatra-
