--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The greatness of Mac Rebennack, alias…" description: "\"The greatness of Mac Rebennack, alias, Dr. John, also known as John Crieux, rests on his command of the musical use of idiomatic expression. Not a tech..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/jon-landau-11785_aliases_the-greatness-of-mac-rebennack-alias-dr_215894.jpg" --- # The greatness of Mac Rebennack, alias, Dr. John, also… ![“The greatness of Mac Rebennack, alias, Dr. John, also known as John Crieux, rests on his command of the musical use of idiomatic expression. Not a technically well-endowed singer, nor a great songwriter, he leaves his mark through the discipline and control he exerts over all that he touches.” quote by Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/jon-landau-11785_aliases_the-greatness-of-mac-rebennack-alias-dr_215894.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/jon-landau-11785_aliases_the-greatness-of-mac-rebennack-alias-dr_215894.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/jon-landau-11785_aliases_the-greatness-of-mac-rebennack-alias-dr_215894.jpg) > “The greatness of Mac Rebennack, alias, Dr. John, also known as John Crieux, rests on his command of the musical use of idiomatic expression. Not a technically well-endowed singer, nor a great songwriter, he leaves his mark through the discipline and control he exerts over all that he touches.” [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dr. John’s impact stems from disciplined control of musical expression, not vocal prowess or songwriting skill. **In simple terms:** Discipline in music creates lasting influence. Key Takeaway Focus on mastering your craft. Themes music discipline expression legacy Mood analytical respectful Type critical appreciative When to use this quote - recording sessions - live performances - studio production - musical arrangement Key Concepts idiomatic expression musical control artistic discipline Questions to Reflect On - What role does discipline play in your work? - Can control limit spontaneity? A Different Perspective Not all audiences value technical control over raw emotion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alias Dr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alias-dr-2217696/) [Aliases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aliases/) [Also](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/also/) [Command](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/command/) [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Dr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dr/) [Dr John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dr-john-860194/) [Drs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drs/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [He](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he/) [His](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/his/) [John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/john/) [John Crieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/john-crieux-2217695/) [Known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known/) [Known John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known-john-1368888/) [Leaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaves/) [Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mac/) [Macs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/macs/) [Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mark/) [Musical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musical/) [Nor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nor/) [Over](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/over/) [Rebennack Alias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rebennack-alias-2217697/) [Rests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rests/) [Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singer/) [Singers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singers/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Songwriter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songwriter/) [Songwriters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songwriters/) [Technically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technically/) [Through](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/through/) [Touches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/touches/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [We've all known a John Tucker. We've either known one, dated one or our best friend has dated one. I think a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-bush/we-ve-all-known-a-john-tucker-we-ve-either-known-one-dated-one-or-our/) [Sophia Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-bush/) > [I've known John Toshack a long, long time because I grew up with his son Cameron. If he was English, there is no doubt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/i-ve-known-john-toshack-a-long-long-time-because-i-grew-up-with-his/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [I heard about a love that never leaves. So I'm asking you to show me. I'm talking to you down here on my knees,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alla/i-heard-about-a-love-that-never-leaves-so-i-m-asking-you-to-show-me-i/) [Alla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alla/) > [Mac Rebennack, better known as Dr. John, once told me that when a brass band plays at a small club back up in one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-piazza/mac-rebennack-better-known-as-dr-john-once-told-me-that-when-a-brass/) [Tom Piazza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-piazza/) > [“Much better," I said calmly. "Much better, I thank you, Dr. John." For, reader, this tall young man - this darling son - this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/much-better-i-said-calmly-much-better-i-thank-you-dr-john-for-reader/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“Dr John Nash Ott is the greatest USA scientist you have probably never heard of.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/dr-john-nash-ott-is-the-greatest-usa-scientist-you-have-probably/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Dr. John, throughout his whole life, was a man of luck - a man of success. And why? Because he had the eye to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/dr-john-throughout-his-whole-life-was-a-man-of-luck-a-man-of-success/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“Dr. John Montague was a doctor of philosophy; he had taken his degree in anthropology, feeling obscurely that in this field he might come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/dr-john-montague-was-a-doctor-of-philosophy-he-had-taken-his-degree/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [What is known as success assumes nearly as many aliases as there are those who seek it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-birmingham/what-is-known-as-success-assumes-nearly-as-many-aliases-as-there-are/) [Stephen Birmingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-birmingham/) > [Police in Texas arrested a man who was using the alias 'Barack Obama' while trying to steal money from 35 ATMs. They could tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/police-in-texas-arrested-a-man-who-was-using-the-alias-barack-obama/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) > [That's why, when Alias came along, I knew I'd be OK if the show was on for five or six years because the writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-garber/that-s-why-when-alias-came-along-i-knew-i-d-be-ok-if-the-show-was-on/) [Victor Garber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-garber/) > [Not only was Dan Cooper likely an alias, but many people suspected at the time were people living under assumed names. The '50s and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-gray/not-only-was-dan-cooper-likely-an-alias-but-many-people-suspected-at/) [Geoffrey Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-gray/) > [Sometimes I pick up the phone, listen to cold caller alias name, repeat it several times in an incredulous tone and then - bam!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-o-grady/sometimes-i-pick-up-the-phone-listen-to-cold-caller-alias-name-repeat/) [Sean O'Grady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-o-grady/) > ['Alias' was very action-packed. 'G.I. Joe' and 'Conan' were very action-packed. It's been established that I can do action, which is great, but now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-nichols/alias-was-very-action-packed-g-i-joe-and-conan-were-very-action/) [Rachel Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-nichols/) > [JJ Abrams is definitely a guy that when he calls, you want to answer. He's incredibly focused. 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Whether one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/often-equipment-can-as-easily-function-as-a-security-blanket-for/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [There is absolutely no doubt that the extraordinary Donna Summer belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/there-is-absolutely-no-doubt-that-the-extraordinary-donna-summer/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [There is a 'patrician arrogance' to James Taylor that accounts in part for his popularity while it at the same time explains the critical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/there-is-a-patrician-arrogance-to-james-taylor-that-accounts-in-part/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [Part of me believes that the completed record is the final measure of a pop musician's accomplishment, just as the completed film is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/part-of-me-believes-that-the-completed-record-is-the-final-measure-of/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [Bob Dylan was the source of pop music's unpredictability in the Sixties. Never as big a record-seller as commonly imagined, his importance was first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/bob-dylan-was-the-source-of-pop-music-s-unpredictability-in-the/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [The only criticism heard with any frequency of Elton John's first American album, 'Elton John,' was that the production was too grandiose. The melodies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/the-only-criticism-heard-with-any-frequency-of-elton-john-s-first/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > ['Call Me' is not an exceptional Al Green album, but it is as solid as a rock at its center.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/call-me-is-not-an-exceptional-al-green-album-but-it-is-as-solid-as-a/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [The Rolling Stones are constantly changing, but beneath the changes they remain the most formal of rock bands. Their successive releases have been continuous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/the-rolling-stones-are-constantly-changing-but-beneath-the-changes/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [Since her landmark 'Tapestry,' Carole King has both oversimplified and over elaborated that masterful album's style until her music has become something more overtly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/since-her-landmark-tapestry-carole-king-has-both-oversimplified-and/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [It is by now beyond question that Elton John is a competent and classy entertainer. Few people who have achieved his popularity have succeeded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/it-is-by-now-beyond-question-that-elton-john-is-a-competent-and/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > ['Let's Get It On' is a classic Motown single, endlessly repeatable and always enjoyable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/let-s-get-it-on-is-a-classic-motown-single-endlessly-repeatable-and/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [Atlantic's Jerry Wexler believes first-rate records are made by first-rate voices. He certainly has worked with enough of them: Clyde McPhatter, Joe Turner, La…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/atlantic-s-jerry-wexler-believes-first-rate-records-are-made-by-first/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [The early Stones were adolescent rockers. They were self-conscious in an obvious and unpretentious way. And they were committed to a musical style that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/the-early-stones-were-adolescent-rockers-they-were-self-conscious-in/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [On the surface, rock and roll changes at an amazing pace. The influence of a figure like the Maharishi can appear and disappear in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/on-the-surface-rock-and-roll-changes-at-an-amazing-pace-the-influence/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [On first listening, Joni Mitchell's 'Court And Spark,' the first truly great pop album of 1974, sounds surprisingly light; by the third or fourth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/on-first-listening-joni-mitchell-s-court-and-spark-the-first-truly/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) [Explore all 58 Jon Landau quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) ## More Aliases quotes > [JJ Abrams is definitely a guy that when he calls, you want to answer. He's incredibly focused. When he was shooting the pilot on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-garcia/jj-abrams-is-definitely-a-guy-that-when-he-calls-you-want-to-answer/) [Jorge Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-garcia/) > ['Alias' was very action-packed. 'G.I. Joe' and 'Conan' were very action-packed. It's been established that I can do action, which is great, but now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-nichols/alias-was-very-action-packed-g-i-joe-and-conan-were-very-action/) [Rachel Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-nichols/) > [Sometimes I pick up the phone, listen to cold caller alias name, repeat it several times in an incredulous tone and then - bam!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-o-grady/sometimes-i-pick-up-the-phone-listen-to-cold-caller-alias-name-repeat/) [Sean O'Grady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-o-grady/) > [Not only was Dan Cooper likely an alias, but many people suspected at the time were people living under assumed names. The '50s and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-gray/not-only-was-dan-cooper-likely-an-alias-but-many-people-suspected-at/) [Geoffrey Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-gray/) > [That's why, when Alias came along, I knew I'd be OK if the show was on for five or six years because the writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-garber/that-s-why-when-alias-came-along-i-knew-i-d-be-ok-if-the-show-was-on/) [Victor Garber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-garber/) > [Police in Texas arrested a man who was using the alias 'Barack Obama' while trying to steal money from 35 ATMs. They could tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/police-in-texas-arrested-a-man-who-was-using-the-alias-barack-obama/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) > [What is known as success assumes nearly as many aliases as there are those who seek it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-birmingham/what-is-known-as-success-assumes-nearly-as-many-aliases-as-there-are/) [Stephen Birmingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-birmingham/) > [To answer oppression with appropriate resistance requires knowledge of two kinds: in the first place, self-knowledge by the victim, which means awareness that oppression…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/to-answer-oppression-with-appropriate-resistance-requires-knowledge/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [Envy is always referred to by its political alias, 'social justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/envy-is-always-referred-to-by-its-political-alias-social-justice/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [When the eye fails to find beauty-alias solace-it commands the body to create it, or, failing that, adjusts itself to perceive virtue in ugliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-brodsky/when-the-eye-fails-to-find-beauty-alias-solace-it-commands-the-body/) [Joseph Brodsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-brodsky/) > [I'm just in profound gratitude that we get to go back and work on a show that we love, with amazing actors and great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-taylor/i-m-just-in-profound-gratitude-that-we-get-to-go-back-and-work-on-a/) [Rachael Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-taylor/) > [When I was in architecture school, rather than giving us drafting boards and t-squares and lead pencils and stuff they gave us all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-kosinski/when-i-was-in-architecture-school-rather-than-giving-us-drafting/) [Joseph Kosinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-kosinski/) > [..Fear is the energy to do your best in a new situation. 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