John McLaughlin Quotes

Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best John McLaughlin Quotes. The wide variety of quotes available makes it possible to find a quote to suit your needs. You’ve likely heard some of the John McLaughlin Quotes before, but that’s because they truly are great.

I have a great affection for Indian culture and music.

John McLaughlin

The guitar l learned on was probably worth $4 or something, but it was priceless to me. It meant so much.

John McLaughlin

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

John McLaughlin

One of the advantages of playing in a club is that even with bass and drums, the atmosphere remains intimate with the audience.

John McLaughlin

In 1978, I was in Paris – I was in someone‘s car and listening to the radio – and on comes Paco de Lucia. I’d never heard of this chap, and I just thought, ‘I have to meet him.’ And I was very lucky; I found him very quickly. Crazily enough, he happened to be in Paris!

John McLaughlin

Frankly speaking, if I care what people write, whether it is positive or negative, I believe, personally, I’m on the wrong path.

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

Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.

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 have a profound affection for Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism’s particular ways of meditating.

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

I already experimented with free jazz in the 1960s and, in my opinion, to play free jazz, you have to be a perfect musician and a perfect human being – and none of us are!

John McLaughlin

The day I stop making music would be the day I keel over, really.

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

When Mahavishnu came out in ’71, the unbelievable reaction to the band was a real shock to me. It was a shock to everybody.

John McLaughlin

The Mahavishnu Orchestra – when it came out, it was an explosion, completely unexpected as far as I was concerned. I was just forming a band.

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

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

I’m not the sort of chap who can sit down and write music. When it comes, I’m happy.

John McLaughlin

The first LP, ‘Inner Mounting Flame,’ is, of course, one of my favorites, and also ‘Visions of the Emerald Beyond.’ But the others are also very dear to me.

John McLaughlin

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

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

John McLaughlin Quotes

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