Obviously there are financial rewards. The whole vibe. The grand picture. It gave me a niche. I can’t be known for anything else and I don’t care to be. If I always stay at the local level and do this forever, that’s good enough. But if somebody would come to me and say Neil Peart can’t make it would you come and play with Rush? After they picked me up (off the floor) I would do it. I would move to the next level. At any level it (is satisfying to be involved.)
I define Mark as an individual. Obviously we are all extremely hyper-critical, hyper-sensitive musicians. Musicians are that way. We also have an esteem—a self thing that gives us the ability and the right to stand on stage and do this that other people look at and (admire). That is the biggest high that beats any (high); the best food, whatever. Nothing compares to that high. You’re playing and you watch people digging it. It’s multi-level. You have a lot of things going through you’re head. I’m doing something that they think is cool and I do too. The biggest reward is the self-satisfaction of doing something different and unique. Everybody who plays is unique. Their own style, their own thing, their own input. Good, bad or indifferent; no one takes that away. You still have that forever.
Those guys playing football on the tube, they’re done when they’re 40. We’re not done until we’re done! We make the choice. I mean look at Eubie Blake. He was ninety something and he was playing ragtime like nobody’s business. Buddy Rich–into his 70s and still one of the best. The reward far exceeds the discipline and the effort.
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In the beginning, with the Telstars, we did a lot of charity things. A lot of people didn’t know who I was. Now they do. I don’t know if that’s good or bad! (chuckles) Recognition has been a lot better. More confidence.
Also I learned that you have to make a choice. Do you want to play the kind of music to please yourself and be satisfied in your own world—or do you want to blend music and attract people (outside of your own world)? In other words, what is your goal? To sit alone and pick out songs by the fireplace? Or do you want to involve yourself to attract people and be popular that way? I’ve done it all it seems. Now that I’m older in life—and whether it’s dealing with your kids or your family or if it’s in the business world—it’s really the same! I think it forces a person to take a look and see what they stand for. And how much do you want to work to attain your goal. In the band you would get out of it what you put into it. There’s no doubt about it! Very valuable! Very valuable experience!
