One of the original members of the rock group Bon Jovi, David Bryan, once told a story that eloquently captures his pre-fame influences and interests. He grew up with a collection of more comedy albums than music albums, demonstrating the influence of humor on him during his early years.

Think of life as a garden in which you sow various seeds according to what most interests or catches your eye. At first, this garden was more about comedy than rock and roll for Bryan. Like a gardener tends to his favorite flowers, he relied on comedians like Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Cheech and Chong, and George Carlin.

Steve Martin's oddball sketches, Richard Pryor's unvarnished and honest storytelling, Carlin's incisive social commentary, and Cheech and Chong's ridiculous humor were all distinct contributions from these comedians. In the same way that different plants in a garden offer unique colors and scents, they influenced Bryan's sense of humor and outlook on life.

By emphasizing these influences, Bryan shows that his path into music was about more than just the music; it was also about using laughter to understand society and human nature. It demonstrates how the journey to becoming an artist can occasionally deviate from the expected path or norms and instead be influenced by unexpected elements such as wit and humor before returning to the chosen art form.

This quote reminds us that our passions and interests frequently converge in unexpected ways, giving us a variety of experiences that shape who we are.