Music actually had no influence on my deciding to play guitar. Before playing guitar music wasn't really a part of my life outside band at school, which I didn't like (the reason it was so hard and unrewarding for me, although I didn't know it at the time, was that my instrument was broken. it's a real pity I didn't know that sooner). It was in all seriousness completely random. I was bored, I saw a used guitar that looked nice for $125 when I was with my bro (who plays bass) in a music shop, I had money I wasn't spending on anything else, so I was like what the hell. I'll take that one. As soon as I started learning to play it (the only 'lesson' I've had was my sister showing me the open d chord) I fell in love with the art and I haven't looked back since.

I can't remember if I ever answered this thread's original question. Marilyn Manson, it's the reason I stopped hating myself and started admiting my life had problems I needed to deal with.