Harrison Birtwistle Quotes

Rock n' roll means so much more to people; it enriches the culture. Also, it inspires people; there's no half-feeling. When I first got into it, I was inspired by people who had come before me, and I found myself in the position of handing that on.

Everything I hear influences me. I can't tell you all my influences as a musician.

I get inspired by a lot of different stuff. My father is a huge music fan.

We all grew up idolizing another musician. That's how this works. That's how music is created.

I know when somebody's heard my music. I can hear it in their music.

There are artists, true performers that have come before me who have been a big inspiration to me. I hope I do the same for others.

My dad's music was a great inspiration to me.

People have told me that other artists have been influenced by my music, and it's flattering. It's a wonderful thing.

Music is all about leadership and there ain't really a lot of leaders.

Everybody's just emulated us and now everybody just kinda takes our sound as their foundations.

My biggest musical influences are probably my parents.

I'm not reinventing the wheel here. I'm not Chuck Berry or Bill Monroe. Guys like that are from outer space.

I don't really know that I'm aware of a lot of the inspiration and influence that I'm under, because I didn't have an extensive musically educational upbringing.

When I first became aware of music, it was probably the same way a lot of people do - even more suburban or rural people - from my older brothers playing music.

I've been ripping the Rolling Stones off with every song I write in some form or another.

It seems to be very clear that each new generation that comes - not only audiences but young bands as well - are very encouraged and enthused and inspired by my work.

I leave everyone to have their own opinions of my music and my influence - or not - on others.

I definitely respect the men and women who came before me and how much those people gave to me musically.

I know I idolise someone like Billie Holiday, but I don't look at her and think I have to imitate her lifestyle, to try and sing like she did.

I think... people are inspired by our music, and that's cool. We all borrow each other's music.

I'm a musician, so for the most part I've always thought that the musicians were equally as inspiring to listen to - maybe more so, in some cases - in addition to the artists.

One musician listens to another musician, and you get inspired and then you do your thing, but it's yours.

I will always play "Stand Back" anyway. And Prince will always he standing behind me every time I do.

There are more inspirational people in music than there are in politics.

If my serenade of song and story should serve as a pillow for some composer's head, as yet perhaps unborn, to dream and build on our fond melodies in his tomorrow, I have not labored in vain.