I’m always talking about musicians with huge egos on this blog. I’m sure you’re wondering why I do it and how I can tell but I’m about to explain that stuff. All musicians have egos… and that includes me. Is it good for a musician to have an ego? Yes… it is actually okay to have an ego problem but to a certain extent. There are two different kinds of ego in a person… they are:

1) The unhealthy ego

2) The healthy ego

Lets start with the unhealthy ego first. A musician with an unhealthy ego is somebody who wants to think that he/she is a talented musician and is good at everything this person does. This musician can’t take any negative criticism of any kind… gets defensive over everything. This musician thinks he/she is better than everyone else ’cause they accomplished so much in music that they think that stuff earned them the right to be arrogant all they want to. This person thinks he/she is a good musician and jerk themselves off with their success no matter what is said about them.  This is the high and mighty type.

Now with the healthy ego. A musician with a healthy ego is somebody who treats their ego in a positive direction. Somebody with a good self-esteem. Somebody who doesn’t think is better than everyone else. A musician who is willing to admit that they suck but they just play the music for the love of it. This musician knows that they are no different than everyone else… a human being. Somebody who doesn’t take themselves seriously. (I would fall under the healthy ego, thank you)

From what I’ve been observing over the years… there have been more unhealthy ego musicians than the ones with the healthy egos. Musicians don’t realize that they have an unhealthy ego but watch how they answer questions during interviews with the press, watch how they post in their social networking sites, etc. They’re crazy man.

Musicians love talking about themselves and talking about how good they are… it’s crazy… all of it.

I like musicians with the healthy ego better. There are even famous musicians in the national industry who have unhealthy and healthy egos too. Many people accused Dave Mustaine of having a horrible ego but I don’t see how he does. I’ve read many interviews with Dave Mustaine and he has a healthy ego to me. He admits many times that he’s not the greatest guitarist and he knows that there are guitarists that are better than him… look it up. Neil Young is another good example of a healthy ago… he once admitted to Guitar World magazine that he sucks at lead guitar even though he was respected as a lead guitar player.

Famous musicians with an unhealthy ego well Kanye West definitely comes to mind. The Gallagher brothers from Oasis for sure. I’m sure there are many others to name.

As for why I’m always talking about egos on here, I’m just trying to get musicians to think how they act. Trying to get them to realize that the way they act turns people off out there. There maybe nothing wrong with having an ego but like I said to a certain extent. A lot of musicians will never admit they have a horrible ego problem. It’s not really good for music or your career. Some of them really need to change their ego to a more healthier direction.

I can tell when a musician has a good ego or a bad one. The fans and their supporters will still support this musician with a bad ego ’cause they are not good at recognizing the signs. They will support them anyway just to be nice and friendly — to help support the local music scene. People are not smart when it comes to music.

When you want to have a healthy ego… simply don’t take yourself so seriously. Don’t always think you’re so great at everything you do… but of course… musicians will never take this advice ’cause their “huge ego” won’t let them to. All musicians are different. Some have good egos and some bad. If you have a good and healthy ego, then people will respect you more and you could actually go somewhere in music. Don’t always believe that having the “unhealthy” ego will make you the better person ’cause it will not. Be careful with how you put yourself out there ’cause people can see and read everything you do through the music world. You’re a public figure now… people will respond to your behavior.

I’ve been there, I’ve made mistakes myself.

Kev