Skip to main content

Creativity Quote by John Mayall

"I never really thought about becoming a professional musician"

About this Quote

John Mayall’s simple admission about never considering a career as a professional musician radiates humility and authenticity. It reveals a journey guided more by personal passion and organic creativity than by ambition or strategic pursuit of fame. For someone who became an undisputed icon in the world of blues, such a statement might seem surprising at first. However, it illuminates how some artistic paths evolve: not from calculated goals set in youth, but from deep, natural immersion in the art form itself.

Mayall’s words highlight how his relationship with music was forged through pure enthusiasm and personal expression, not up-front intention of turning it into a profession. This spontaneous approach often separates musicians who become legends from those who seek music primarily as a career. Such musicians are driven by a relentless curiosity and love for sound, with the act of playing and creating music as its own reward. The implications go further, suggesting that his authenticity and sincerity, traits universally lauded in his works, stemmed from this absence of career-mindedness early on. He played not for accolades or commercial success, but from an internal creative necessity.

Embedded within Mayall’s statement is a subtle reminder that passion and genuine love for craft can sometimes yield results far beyond what conscious planning might achieve. For aspiring musicians and creatives, it suggests that the most profound paths are often found by nurturing one’s own voice and interests, rather than trying to fit into a predetermined industry mold. Moreover, for listeners, understanding that their beloved artists didn’t always chart their course with intention deepens appreciation for the music itself, knowing it was created from unaffected and truthful origins. John Mayall’s understated reflection serves as a testament to the enduring power of authenticity and accidental, yet devoted, artistry.

Quote Details

TopicMusic
More Quotes by John Add to List
I never really thought about becoming a professional musician
Click to enlarge Portrait | Landscape

About the Author

United Kingdom Flag

John Mayall (born November 29, 1933) is a Musician from United Kingdom.

10 more quotes available

View Profile

Similar Quotes

Jose Carreras, Musician