Will you still be performing at 80?!

Jimbro66

About 12-15 years ago a friend persuaded me to go to one of those touring rock & roll shows with original artists from the 50s and 60s. I reluctantly agreed to go, expecting the worse. Some performers were well past their best but one who stood out as being really good was Marty Wilde. His voice was great and he came across really well. There was the added interest of him having Neville Marten playing great lead on his red 335 through a Matchless amp.

Fast forward to the present - Marty Wilde's 80th(!) birthday tour. I had to go out of curiousity if nothing else. F*#k me, he's still sounding good. There can't be many 80 year olds with a voice that good. Also with him is the American rock& roll artist of the 50s Charlie Gracie, still singing well and still playing that big old three-pickup Guild. He's 82!

They've got a 20-date tour zigzagging across the country that would be a challenge for many younger guys. How do they do it?? Can any of you imagine still performing when you are 80+ ?

BTW Neville Marten was still in the band but in a much lower profile role, mainly playing acoustic rhythm guitar.

Mark1960

Our Sax player is 65 and still going strong, especially surprising when you thick about the physical effort involved in playing it for two hours or so.

Jalapeno

Hopefully ....

In the Jazz 8-piece I play with I'm the youngest (61).

The drummer is over 90, bit deaf and hence a bit too loud, but he's a good old boy !

lovestrat74

If I keep practicing I might start by then 

EricTheWeary

I thought of Marty when I saw the title, he was on Radio 4 at the weekend singing and sounding good. Nev on guitar. 

I'm 54 and it's about ten months since I last played a gig and thinking that was probably it, but maybe not after all. 

Danny1969

I'll be at my Shadows club tonight playing oldies from the sixties and some modern stuff from the late seventies

I'm at teenager at 49 .... most the players are early seventies, oldest guy there is a drummer and he's 84 years old. 

Philly_Q

I may not have started by the time I'm 80.

Koa

Yes but definitely more selective about venues and type of gig. Discerning ....why would you do pub gigs until two in the morning.....

octatonic

I plan on outsourcing the playing to robot me.
I'll cash the cheques though.

axisus

Not without viagra ...

Johnspreyer

I am 72. I have been playing since I was 16. I recently went for a lesson with a "proper" guitarist to improve my soloing as I now play in a trio. The realisation of how little I know was frightening! 

Roland

Mark1960 said:

Our Sax player is 65 and still going strong, especially surprising when you thick about the physical effort involved in playing it for two hours or so.

Jalapeno said:

The drummer is over 90, bit deaf and hence a bit too loud ...

I’m 65. I play in a covers band, and do more of the heavy lifting than the younger members. I’m also loud, but that’s because I’m the guitarist, and has nothing to do with my hearing.

Will I still be playing at 80? Yes, if I can get away with it. The chances are that pub finances and sound level limitations will stop me playing before my fingers do.

Caffeine_Vampire

If I make it that far then I intend to be playing my artificial heart out. 

Will there be anywhere left to play is the question?

octatonic

Caffeine_Vampire said:

If I make it that far then I intend to be playing my artificial heart out. 

Will there be anywhere left to play is the question?

When I was looking at nursing homes for mum a couple of them proudly shared that they have live music once or twice a month.

bluechargeboy

If I stop performing at 80 I will be bored for the last 30 years of my life!

Caffeine_Vampire

octatonic said:

Caffeine_Vampire said:

If I make it that far then I intend to be playing my artificial heart out. 

Will there be anywhere left to play is the question?

When I was looking at nursing homes for mum a couple of them proudly shared that they have live music once or twice a month.

I’m actually playing at my Grandmas nursing home this weekend

octatonic

Caffeine_Vampire said:

octatonic said:

Caffeine_Vampire said:

If I make it that far then I intend to be playing my artificial heart out. 

Will there be anywhere left to play is the question?

When I was looking at nursing homes for mum a couple of them proudly shared that they have live music once or twice a month.

I’m actually playing at my Grandmas nursing home this weekend

Ha, really?
That is great, as long as you aren't including Swedish death metal covers.

Jimbro66

Roland said:

....... I’m also loud, but that’s because I’m the guitarist, and has nothing to do with my hearing.

LOL

jdgm

In my band:

Me- 65 at end of June

Drummer - 71 or 72 this year

Bassist - 76 or 77.

Harmonica player and singer are both much younger, in their 50s/late 40s.

Caffeine_Vampire

Ha, really?

That is great, as long as you aren't including Swedish death metal covers.

Yeah, just me on acoustic. It’s supposed to be requests but I’ve dug out some ‘60’s singalong stuff. I’m surprisingly nervous. 

pintspiller

I'll probably stick it out until I can't do it physically any more