Help me understand John Coltrane .... seriously.

One must appreciate the history of half century old jazz to get these artists.  From the same time period, I simply don't get doo-wop, country and western, old rock and roll, or any smooth jazz that arose from this AM car radio era.
My boy did learn to like Coltrane and Miles, despite his phishheadenness, but don't wory about it, especially on streaming devices.  The selection that gets streamed is based on algorhythyms that pander to what is listened to by the most idiots.Additionally, my appreciation of these old jazz artists is that they make great, low level, party background music, if you like old Broadway show tunes, plus of course their importance in the history of jazz for white people. 

Coltrane is very challenging, and though I have always liked him - especially his 1961 Village Vanguard performances - I never understood him. This Vox Explainer actually does a terrific job of breaking down what Coltrane is doing and why:

https://youtu.be/62tIvfP9A2w

Believe it or not, what helped me getting started with jazz of his style after many listenings without enjoyment is I got high once and went on a concert in Velvet lounge in Chicago. From then on, loved it.
 

What is it you are trying to understand?

Ask yourself what is it you understand about another genre?

Dont try and understand Jazz.

Your sort of non connection to Coltrane just means its outside of your taste for listening.

How many Yanni or Nana Maskouri albums do.you own?

So what if you dont dig Coltrane.

Move on.

Erik, I have trouble with free-form jazz too. I just can’t quite get most of it. I’m more an Oscar Peterson kind of guy. That being said, I will play Coltrane, Davis, et al, in the car, or as background music. This allows my brain to absorb this music without focused concentration. After a few long sessions, I’m ready for more serious listening. After this, if I still don’t get it, I probably never will.