Quotes by Ben Harper

About Ben Harper:

Ben Harper is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances, and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents. His albums have been commercially successful in North America, Europe and Oceania. Harper is a three-time Grammy Award winner as well, winning awards for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album, in 2005. He also won a Grammy for Best Blues Album in 2014.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

I refuse to age disgracefully in rock 'n' roll.

Ben Harper

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone - it's possible. But creatively, it's more like painting: you can't just use the same colours in every painting. It's just not an option. You can't take the same photograph every ti...

Ben Harper

Life is short and if you're looking for extension, you had best do well. 'Cause there's good deeds and then there's good intentions. They are as far apart as Heaven and Hell.

Ben Harper

We figured you could download live shows for days, so we decided to go for a cream-of-the-crop approach, but not just take the best vocal or the best performances.

Ben Harper

We went for the best overall feel on each song. There are no musical overdubs at all. It's a true live record; it's one of the few true live records out there.

Ben Harper

That happens every time I get behind a guitar, regardless of what I'm saying, 'cause music is freedom and being free is the closest I've ever felt to being spiritual.

Ben Harper

My family owns a music store in Claremont, California, called The Claremont Folk Music Center.

Ben Harper

I grew up with a heavy diet of gospel, folk, and blues because those are kind of the cornerstones of traditional American music.

Ben Harper

I grew up with the Blind Boys' music. My family owns a music store in Claremont, California, called The Claremont Folk Music Center. I grew up with a heavy diet of gospel, folk, and blues because those are kind of the cornerstones of traditional Amer...

Ben Harper

The advice I have for new artists is this - write great songs and play them live as often as possible. Get residencies all over town and crush it.

Ben Harper

There is a difference between a great producer and somebody who is a big advocate of your music. Just because you're a big advocate for a band doesn't mean you need to be in the studio with them, and at the same time - we don't need to get into this ...

Ben Harper

Every single time I step into the studio, I say, 'Can I still do this? Do I still have it? Have I ever had it?' I suppose there's a good amount of self-loathing that goes into any form of artisanship.

Ben Harper

You're definitely a different person at different stages in your life.

Ben Harper

Sometimes I may be totally arrogant, sometimes I may totally be the most humble guy you've ever met, sometimes I may be in between. But that's life. Who isn't like that? What's the big deal if I had an arrogant moment.

Ben Harper

But I would never insult the people that love this music and I would never insult the blessing of music in my life and I would never insult myself by playing uninspired music.

Ben Harper

I really feel there's no limitation on what this band can do in the studio or on the stage. That's an empowering feeling - that we can bring a song to life.

Ben Harper

It will make a weak man mighty. it will make a mighty man fall. It will fill your heart and hands or leave you with nothing at all. It's the eyes for the blind and legs for the lame. It is the love for hate and pride for shame. That's the power of th...

Ben Harper

I love being on the road, I love playing.

Ben Harper

You look like gold. I've been fooled before, but now I know I've made the mistake in the past. But now I, now I know the difference from gold and brass.

Ben Harper

You have to do what you believe in.

Ben Harper

Author Bio

  • NameBen Harper
  • Descriptionsinger-songwriter and musician
  • BornOctober 28, 1969
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionGuitarist; Singer-songwriter; Singer