Editing John Dolmayan (section)

== Early life ==
John Dolmayan was born in [[Beirut]], Lebanon, to Armenian parents.<!-- Dolmayan was born in Beirut, not Armenia, DO NOT CHANGE! Also, his middle name is NOT Ohannes or Hovig--those just mean John in Armenian! --><ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p357160|pure_url=yes}}|title=allmusic (((John Dolmayan> Feedback)))|website=allmusic |access-date=July 26, 2010}}</ref> During [[Lebanese Civil War (1975–1977)|the Lebanese Civil War]], his family moved to California.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-john-dolmayan-20180619-story.html|title=System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan snares a home in Glendale|first=Jack|last=Flemming|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=June 19, 2018|access-date=June 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009175653/http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-john-dolmayan-20180619-story.html|archive-date=October 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dolmayan first became interested in drums at the age of two.<ref name="Interview with John Dolmayan" /> His father was a saxophone player and when his mother would take him to watch his father play, he would mimic his father's drummer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/john_dolmayan_i_never_wanted_us_to_take_a_break_in_the_first_place.html|title=John Dolmayan: 'I Never Wanted Us to Take a Break in the First Place'|website=www.ultimate-guitar.com}}</ref> He learned to play the drums by putting on records and practicing for hours a day, and continued said practice for years.<ref name="Interview with John Dolmayan" /> Dolmayan describes his musical style as one influenced by whatever he could get his hands on, including the jazz albums belonging to his father and the rock albums he shared with his friends.<ref name="Interview with John Dolmayan">{{cite web|url=http://www.tamadrum.co.jp/artist/tama_interview.php?interview_id=8|title=Interview with John Dolmayan|date=September 15, 2006|publisher=Tama|access-date=July 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720233832/http://www.tamadrum.co.jp/artist/tama_interview.php?interview_id=8|archive-date=July 20, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Dolmayan is a fan of [[the Who]] and cites Who drummer [[Keith Moon]] as his biggest influence. Other drummers that he cites as major influences include [[Led Zeppelin]]'s [[John Bonham]], [[Stewart Copeland]] from [[The Police (band)|the Police]], and [[Rush (band)|Rush]]'s [[Neil Peart]].<ref name="Interview with John Dolmayan" />