Latebloomers

saladman · #1 11-09-2010, 12:53 AM

Anybody knows any professional/legendary musician who started late in life like 20 years old and older?

I only know ronnie earl who started to play guitar only when he was 22-23 years old. Maybe some of you know other it doesnt matter what year and instrument? I really feel inspired reading thier stories and gives me hope that maybe there is still a chance....

monroe55 · #2 11-09-2010, 02:59 AM

Coltrane? George Thorogood?

PJSShearer · #3 11-09-2010, 08:49 AM

I knew a keyboard player who'd taken up music at the age of 19-20 and was working professionally by 25.

champbassist · #4 11-09-2010, 09:08 AM

Doug Pinnick started playing bass at 23.

PaulNYC · #5 11-09-2010, 10:16 AM

Bill Withers

Steady Eddie · #6 11-10-2010, 08:38 AM

Saw a T.V. documentary several years ago about people who had retired and gone on to achieve great things. One guy took up playing the keyboard at 66 and in his 70's turned pro. The great thing about it was that he was just an ordinary Joe with no particular musical skill. He just did it.

kesslari · #7 11-10-2010, 09:00 AM

Frank Marino of Mahogany Rush.

mambo4 · #8 11-10-2010, 01:34 PM

I believe Clapton was in college before he picked up a guitar...but thats hearsay

Stumbo · #9 11-10-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

I believe Clapton was in college before he picked up a guitar...but thats hearsay

He was around 15 from what I' heard in an interview.

saladman · #10 11-10-2010, 10:25 PM

al jarreau - though he sang when he was young with his family but became a pro only when he was 28.

monroe55 · #11 11-13-2010, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

He was around 15 from what I' heard in an interview.

So much for "hearsay"!

mntngrown · #12 11-18-2010, 09:34 PM

I believe if you are an avid music listener from birth, or as some scientific research suggests, even in the womb, it is just a matter of your hands catching up with your head, once you decide to try an instrument.
And in the rock and blues genres you actually don't need to understand technical theory, or read sometimes? Very interesting interviews by rock bass players who sometimes don't even know the letter designations for the keys they are playing in. Blues too I am sure.
Somebody a while back claimed Carol Kaye said Leon Russell and Glen Campbell did not get as many studio sessions as they might have if they could have read sheet music. Probably true but if you "understand it", then find a way to competently play it on the bass etc then....
Leon just was asked to do an album with Elton John because back in the day He inspired EJ as expressed on Tumbleweed.
So who cares when you start. You started as a toddler (or sooner) you just may not know it.

JimmyM · #13 11-18-2010, 11:09 PM

don't know when they started but those macarena guys sure were old!

BASSATTACK · #14 11-28-2010, 07:19 PM

Jerry Garcia was 16 when he first played guitar.

Hakeem Olajuwon didn't pick up a basketball until he was 16, and by the time he was 18 he was a star basketball player at Houston.

S.Harrison · #15 11-28-2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mntngrown

I believe if you are an avid music listener from birth, or as some scientific research suggests, even in the womb, it is just a matter of your hands catching up with your head, once you decide to try an instrument.
And in the rock and blues genres you actually don't need to understand technical theory, or read sometimes? Very interesting interviews by rock bass players who sometimes don't even know the letter designations for the keys they are playing in. Blues too I am sure.
Somebody a while back claimed Carol Kaye said Leon Russell and Glen Campbell did not get as many studio sessions as they might have if they could have read sheet music. Probably true but if you "understand it", then find a way to competently play it on the bass etc then....
Leon just was asked to do an album with Elton John because back in the day He inspired EJ as expressed on Tumbleweed.
So who cares when you start. You started as a toddler (or sooner) you just may not know it.

I've played this way since I was 16. When in elementary school I was reading music and teaching myself sax. Got out of it at my doctor's suggestion (asthma) and picked up bass 8 years later. Took some basic lessons but none about reading music. Have held plenty of gigs doing covers AND originals, blues and rock. Once you've got the basics of a song down and know your way around the fretboard it's fairly easy, really. Just recently, at 37, I've decided I want to open myself to more possibilities and actually learn some theory. I saw a young man the other day fiddling with a bass. It was obvious that he had played a little before. This older cat asked if he could play any funk and the kid got a little tense while trying. The older guy offered to show some licks. And proceeded to drop every jaw in the place. The kid bashfully said "Man, I could never do THAT!" to which the Cat replied "Do yourself a favor. Do something I never did-Find a good teacher and get lessons. If you want it-REALLY WANT IT, you'll do what it takes to get it."
So I guess I'd say that if you really want it, your age doesn't matter.

aguacateojos · #16 11-29-2010, 07:36 AM

Scott Lafaro, man.