For guitar legend John McLaughlin, chasing commercial trends was never an option. Instead, he carved out one of the most brilliant and influential careers in electric guitar history, staying true to his artistic vision.
McLaughlin began his journey as a session guitarist in the 1960s, even giving lessons to Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page before launching his solo career. His 1969 debut album, Extrapolation, set the stage for his revolutionary contributions to jazz fusion, paving the way for a career that now includes 18 studio albums and influence over guitarists from Al Di Meola to Zakk Wylde.
Despite his success, McLaughlin has always prioritized artistic integrity over commercial appeal. In a 2022 interview with Guitar Player, he explained:
“I can’t stop making music and recording albums, whether they sell fantastically well or relatively poorly. Once the record is finished, it is unchangeable; it’s over. People will either like it or they won’t, but that’s not my problem. [laughs]”
McLaughlin has experienced both hit records and underappreciated works, yet he has never compromised his identity:
“The only philosophy that I can hold to is to be who I am, and the devil take the rest. I’ve always felt that if I try to play something thinking people will like this, I’m not only betraying them but I’m betraying myself.”
Quoting Shakespeare, he emphasized the importance of authenticity in music:
“Shakespeare said it 500 years ago: Be true to yourself and you’ll be true to everybody else. [laughs] In music, it is so important. I’m not against people who make records that are trying to please the crowd. It’s just not for me.”
For McLaughlin, success comes in different forms:
“Over my career, I’ve had records that were very successful and some that were not so successful. It’s important to distinguish between different kinds of success. There’s commercial success and there is musical success, and it’s not very often that the two come together.”
The thought of creating music just to please an audience is unthinkable to him:
“I think hell would be to make an album to please others and then think, ‘Shit! Why did I do that? What an idiot I am!’ [laughs]”
For McLaughlin, the true essence of music lies in personal expression, not in chasing fleeting trends.
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