When I was little I always though that being famous was a merit thing. If a musician was known it was because he or she was excepcional in his/her art: an incredible singer, a highly skilled guitarist, an amazing drummer.
But then I got older and saw a lot of gigs, and a lot of disciplined and truly amazing musicians that nobody heard about… And most were struggling financially, having a side job just to get by. How come? What is missing from them that the “icons” have?
Fame comes with the right social connections and luck. Talent helps, but is secondary. Of course, if you have all three, you become very very well known and people will feel you deserve in some way the fame and fortune you have.
I would argue talent isn’t even in the top ten list of important qualities for “success” in the music world.
Ok, just curious, I can think of other things that would make someone “successful” in the music world but I think talent would still be in my top 10 for sure. Not essential as I said, you don’t need to check everything in the list.
What are your top 10s?