Steven Van Zandt Quotes

If you want to be a rock star or just be famous, then run down the street naked, you'll make the news or something. But if you want music to be your livelihood, then play, play, play and play! And eventually you'll get to where you want to be.

Music has always been a large part of my life, and I'm very fortunate to be able to start a career doing something I love.

The bigger your songs get, the bigger the festivals you play at will be, until you make it to Ultra. It happened super quick for me. I'm still in shock, actually. I have to pinch myself a lot.

I guess rock stars are role models for the kids who listen to that music. My role models have all been geologists - you know, the guys who are doing fieldwork until they're 70.

I think it's all about the people who listen to your music, and loving playing and writing. Once you've got those two, and they're your main two priorities, then radio and TV and all the other stuff that comes with it will come. But that's not the be-all end-all.

I'm in a really lucky position where people will be interested in whatever I do, but what I do is sing.

Before I was on 'Idol,' I just sat at home and played video games all day long. Now I get to travel and work towards my dream. It's the best feeling ever.

I've been lucky enough to have fulfilled so many ambitions, and gone way past anything I ever thought I would do. I could never have imagined the career that I've had with the Foo Fighters - playing stadiums and having songs on the radio. It's amazing, and my goal is really just to carry on playing.

I'm not striving for fame, that's for sure. I don't particularly like the idea of celebrity. I would like to be successful with my music, so I realise that there's a balance to be made there.

Lots of people, from what I can see, just want to get into the music business for the glamour of it. But there isn't any, really. It's so up and down this industry, but if you really love it, nothing can stop you.

I wanted to play in a band, and I wanted to do music for a living, and that's what I dedicated my life to.

I'm gonna sing, and I'm going to make me a lot of money.

I didn't think we would ever make enough money to pay rent by playing music.

And I just pray that god gives me longevity in the music industry.

I think anyone who has a passion for what they love to do, and who pursue it, is inspirational for me.

Even if I'm making music for people for $20 a night, at least I'm making music.

I definitely got to a point where I realize how unusual it is to be able to play large, sold-out shows 30 years into a rock and roll career. I don't take it for granted.

Dance music is my love, is my passion, is my life. I live for my fans and take my art very seriously.

The people who I grew up making music with, we've all grown up and become successful in different ways. My manager supported me since I was 16 and believed in me as a musician. He's been there since Day 1, and there's so much to be said about doing something with people that you love.

Right from the start with music, I was like, 'I'm just going to do this, and I don't care about anything else. There are certain things you have to give up, even at 13, 14: your Friday and Saturday nights, having a regular girl, lots of things like that. I look at Amy Winehouse, and I think perhaps she just don't want to do it that much.

Most people get into bands for three very simple rock and roll reasons: to get laid, to get fame, and to get rich.

If you become famous and don't have a live show to back it up, they're not going to pay you any money.

Do I love the road? Honestly? No - but it's how I earn my living. I also don't have the blues, like it's some kind of fever. The blues is my job. It's what I do.

No matter what you accomplish, when you're doing something you're truly passionate about... the opportunities are always going to be bigger.

It was always my dream to be part of MTV and make history.