Brian Fallon Quotes

I've been a total Tom Waits dork for a long, long time.

Bob Dylan is as influential as any artist that there has been.

Frank Ocean is our modern-day Marvin Gaye. In our house, we have nothing but respect for him.

One of my biggest influences of all time would be somebody like Tom Waits. David Bowie is another huge influence. I'm also a big fan of St. Vincent and Leslie Feist.

I guess my favorite artists are The White Stripes or Tom Waits. The more theatrical the music is, the more I get into it. I also like the quieter folk music, that kind of old-school rockabilly or country. I'm not really picky when it comes to music, as long as it's honest.

My big influences are Joni Mitchell, and a lot of classical and Indian music, as well as Nina Simone and the personal blues and jazz of Billie Holiday. Other influences for me include Bjork, Nick Drake, and Sufjan Stevens.

I think the first older artist I related to and loved was Bowie.

There are thousands upon thousands of new Johnny Cash fans every year, inspired by the music, talent, and - I believe hugely - by the mystery of the man.

Whitney Houston is my idol and my mentor and my dream forever, like she will always be my favorite artist, ever, on the planet. Like I don't think I'll ever feel that way about another artist.

I can count on one hand the people who are legendary in my book, and Tom Waits is certainly right at the top. It's funny, though: When I tell people that I like Tom's music, it surprises them.

I grew up as a kid looking at artists like David Bowie and Prince; I really admired them.

Marvin Gaye is an inspiration to me. He was one of the first Motown musicians that my mom and dad introduced me to, and I always thought it would be a good idea if I was ever an artist, and now I am, to make a record called 'Marvin Gaye.'

Before I left, I opened a lot of doors for a lot of people to play the blues.

Ray Charles has always been a big part of my life.

When you see all of these bands citing you as influences, it makes you feel relevant.

I grew up listening to a lot of soul music, and a lot of folk music.

Louis Armstrong is quite simply the most important person in American music. He is to 20th century music (I did not say jazz) what Einstein is to physics.

I loved working with Bob Dylan.

I'm proud of my mentors. Ray Charles is the strongest influence on me as a singer.

I'm pretty obsessed with Sara Bareilles. She is so talented, and I feel like I would learn so much from her.

Definitely I grew up listening to Joni Mitchell, and I think she is a wonderful writer, so she is probably part of me.

I don't think anyone can measure up to what my father had achieved. I'm just happy to at least play some of his music, but he is really the one who was the pioneer, the one who started all this. He's really The King.

I can't stress too much how much Ry Cooder was an influence on me. Having one of the most respected musicians around like my singing really gave me the confidence to do it.

I really liked Stevie Ray Vaughn, so hey - I tried to look like him.

Alanis Morissette - I think she's one of my biggest inspirations.