Tommy Bolin Professions : Guitarist Born : August 1, 1951 Died : December 4, 1976 Browse All Authors Top 35 quotes by Tommy Bolin I'll hear something in my head, then eventually play it. But it's a subconscious thing. Most of the time I really don't know what I'm playing. Tommy Bolin subconscious knows play If you're not having fun it's not worth doing. Tommy Bolin having-fun ifs fun My first joint I smoked onstage in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I smoked my first joint live. Tommy Bolin joints fall firsts You're in direct contact with the music by having the strings under your fingers. It's not mechanical like a piano. Tommy Bolin strings fingers piano I can't do anything but play guitar. Tommy Bolin guitar i-can play When you come from the Midwest, you have a more open mind than if you come from the West Coast or the East Coast. Tommy Bolin midwest east mind Blues teaches you to develop coherent solos, because the form you're playing over is so basic. You have to develop leads that go someplace. Tommy Bolin teach solo form I don't like English bands. They're too structured. Tommy Bolin band I came in with a completely new perspective. I would write songs and they would pick tunes they felt were in the Purple vein. Tommy Bolin purple writing song I learned a lot about lead; you don't have to blow your cookies in the first bar. It is much harder to be simple that to be complicated during solos. Tommy Bolin bars simple blow When I got to LA and was with the James Gang, I got the opportunity to write a lot, to play in front of large audiences, make some money. Tommy Bolin play writing opportunity Right now I feel so inspired, it's hard to believe. I've written about 20 songs in the last two days. I'd gone about four months without writing a thing. Tommy Bolin writing song believe My family were all musicians. I really wasn't interested in school or anything. Tommy Bolin my-family musician school A lot of times I wish I would have learned to read music, but I'm very impatient. Tommy Bolin impatient wish I'll play drums a lot at home, and it will help my wrist action. Tommy Bolin play home helping I used to try and take things in leaps and bounds. Now I've realized it's got to be step by step. Tommy Bolin used steps trying The best money I made was panhandling. Tommy Bolin best-money made I want the new band to work together for a while, and when we're ready we'll invite every major record company to see us. Tommy Bolin records band working-together Lots of times it really doesn't matter what notes you play, but what notes come before and after a run. Tommy Bolin matter play running Once I was playing and moving around and I fell right on my back. Just straight on my back. It was the most embarrassing moment of my life. Tommy Bolin embarrassing moments moving Similar Authors Al Di Meola guitarist Albert Collins guitarist Bill Kirchen guitarist Bukka White guitarist Buddy Guy guitarist Buckethead guitarist All Authors
