Probably having fallen in love with music and movies at a young age and then first learning about writing by kind of following the path of writers like Dave Marsh and Lester Bangs and being a rock journalist.

In this quote, Cameron Crowe reflects on his early love for music and movies, which served as the foundation for his creative journey. He shares how his passion for these art forms led him to discover writing as a means of engaging with them. Crowe specifically mentions Dave Marsh and Lester Bangs, two influential rock journalists, who played a significant role in shaping his understanding of writing and his approach to the music industry. This highlights how Crowe’s interest in music journalism evolved from his admiration of these writers, who were known for their insightful and often unconventional takes on rock music.

Crowe’s mention of rock journalism shows how deeply intertwined his journey as a writer was with his love for music. By following in the footsteps of Marsh and Bangs, Crowe embraced the role of a rock critic, blending his enthusiasm for music with his writing skills. His early career as a journalist allowed him to merge his interests in both music and film, ultimately leading to his success as a screenwriter and director. This intersection of passions helped shape the stories he would later tell in films like Almost Famous, which is deeply rooted in his experiences as a music journalist.

The origin of this quote lies in Crowe’s early career as a rock journalist, where he had the opportunity to write for publications such as Rolling Stone. His admiration for figures like Marsh and Bangs influenced his approach to both writing and filmmaking. Crowe's transition from music journalism to filmmaking is a direct result of his foundational experiences in the industry, which shaped his distinctive storytelling style.

Ultimately, Crowe’s quote emphasizes the impact of early influences and how they shaped his creative path. His love for music and film, coupled with his experience in rock journalism, laid the groundwork for his later success as a filmmaker. The quote reflects the importance of learning from those who came before and following one's passions in order to find a unique voice in the world of storytelling.