Making music for a living might seem like a dream job, but not all gigs are enjoyable — even for someone like John McLaughlin.
Today, McLaughlin is celebrated as a master of the electric guitar, with his influence extending far beyond the jazz fusion scene. Even metal guitarists like Zakk Wylde look up to the Mahavishnu Orchestra founder, and legends like Jeff Beck have called him “the best guitarist alive.” Despite McLaughlin’s groundbreaking achievements throughout his solo career, his early days in the music industry were far from glamorous.
After deciding to pursue music full-time, the young McLaughlin moved to London in the early ’60s, quickly landing work as a session musician after playing in various local bands. While session work helped him make ends meet before his solo career took off with his 1969 album Extrapolation, McLaughlin admitted in a 2022 interview with The Irish Times that much of the commercial work felt uninspiring, and the musicians involved were not living healthy lifestyles:
“Most of it was rubbish. And I saw what it was doing to musicians. They had this look in their eyes that really disturbed me, and if I was going to continue that way, I was going to die.”
He recalls a pivotal moment when he decided to walk away from the commercial music world. Just before heading into a session, McLaughlin sat in his car and reflected on his life. After a few moments of contemplation, he made a dramatic choice:
“I did a very bad thing. I just hit the gas and left everybody in the sh*t. It’s bad. So I became more poor again.”
Looking back on his extraordinary career, McLaughlin humbly reflected on his journey as a world-renowned musician:
“When I look back on my life as a musician, I can only say ‘Hey, thank you God!’. Not just God, but ‘Thank you people, thank you music!’ What a fantastic life I’ve had. How fortunate I am to have played with the best in the West, the best in the East. I mean, Jesus, come on! I can’t ask for more than that. And I’m still here. I just need a gig, man.”
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