Nat Hentoff Quotes

I was a sort of rock journalist - whatever that is - in London in the late '60s.

The biggest problem in rock journalism is that often the writer's main motivation is to become friends with the band. They're not really journalists; they're people who want to be involved in rock and roll.

When 'Play' first came out, journalists didn't review it; it didn't get radio play. And then it became this big successful record and, I hate to admit this, I found myself liking the fame. I bought into it.

I welcome all interviews with 'Rolling Stone' magazine, and I'm sure people will talk to me in the future.

I've interviewed everyone from Joe Strummer to Iggy Pop.

The thing is, I love a celebrity interview. Doesn't matter how big or how small. It could be Hillary Clinton or the guy who made it to the third round of 'Popstars,' I'll read it.

All these interviews I'm doing - this is the kind of stuff that I was dreaming about doing when I was younger. I was praying for people to want to write about me. I wanted people to hear my music. I wanted to perform. I wanted to be on billboards.

I've never understood musicians who don't enjoy doing promotional interviews. I just can't believe it. I always think, 'Your life must have been so brilliant before you were in a band.'

I'm dealing in rock'n'roll. I'm, like, I'm not a bona fide human being.

Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read.

You could live in Winnipeg a thousand years and not meet Ringo, Paul McCartney, or Bob Dylan.

The stuff I write I'm very proud of, but I'm smart enough to know I'll never get on the cover of 'Rolling Stone' next to Elvis Costello.

The press will naturally come and go as it has done with all artists, from David Bowie to Neil Young to U2.

I think there are just a million interviews in anthologies with famous musicians that are about the music, and they're really boring to read.

The only reason I became the singer in the band is because I sang the best. It wasn't out of some desire to be a star or be a famous singer. It's not like I love interviews.

My first real writing job was at 'Rolling Stone,' so I wrote about rock-and-roll and politics and the like. At the time, I really didn't know what I wanted to write, and I did a bunch of investigative journalism.

I have this fascination with being on the road, all things music, and the '70s. My favorite movie is 'Almost Famous.'

Twitter is the new rock magazine of the modern age. When I was a kid, we had magazines and journalists and interviews and articles and pinups and posters to follow our favourite artists. Nowadays? Twitter is actually the new rock magazine.

I think a lot of the people who write about me think that if they had to write fewer interviews then they would transcribe their life-story and it would be a big success. Or should be.

Wherever there are rock 'n' rollers, we'll play. That's what we've been doing for more than 30 years - rock 'n' roll. It's made me everything from an honorary mayor to honorary member of a motorcycle gang.

I get why people want to come see me play guitar, but I still don't understand why people want to interview me.

In the Sixties, you needed talent to make it.

It's not some great work of beauty and love to be a rock-and-roll singer.

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

I have a feeling there were many, many successful rock duos that just didn't get attention. That's the fault of the rock press. They are always playing up controversy, scandal, aggravation, and irritation.