Geezers Just Wont Quit

[Richland123]

I'm 56 years old and still playing about 80 gigs a year with my band and doing fill in work with other bands. I play a wide variety of songs from Buddy Holly to The White Stripes. Good music can be from any era.

Just last week, somebody thought I am in my early 40s (I wish).

P.S. GET OFF MY LAWN YOU YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPERS!

[dmusic148]

Get
Off
My
Lawn!

[lwknives]

Yah, old guys can rock out! I play with some guys who are mid 50's. They have put together about 3 hours of original material, good stuff too!

[pb9717]

I turned 50 in Oct and went through rotator cuff surgury in June. First time Ive ever had something that stopped my bassplaying cold. I've found out what alot of the other guys have....you have a better perspective on every situation then ever before, You use your time more efficiently, walk away from the crap, and cherish the joys. Im lucky in that Ive played, and continue to work with some spectacular musicians. That I find is the big difference at this age. I simply cannot "Jam for fun" with hobbyist beginners. Its about quality..and the constant search, and attainment of quality musical experiences.

Earlier this year I hooked up with a bunch of "advanced" players. they were hobbyists with chops, and skills. Just not pros. Lets say they were " outstanding mimics" of their musical idols. We played Roundabout, and Kashmir, and Highway star dead on the first time through. It was a joy. I know I couldn't speak the language of music with them due to limited knowledge of the vernacular, but they could mimic the tunes extraordinarily well. At the conclusion of the first rehearsal, we started discussing additional songlist tunes, and I was basically denied every request I made by one chap who decided he was the grand poobah. I had once again stepped into the "idiot zone". Where one snobbish idiot, that thinks he's gods gift to music because he can cover a Ritchie Blackmore lead, decides he is the unchosen leader. I called the singer a few days later and told him I could not commit. I was an easy decision. and thats the difference when you reach our age. The "no ********" factor takes presedence. Its a shame too. After the first run at " Roundabout" The keyboard player and I could not wipe the smile off our faces. We knew it sounded Killer, but the prince of fools needed to have control. So there you have it. I hope to continue having enjjoyable experiences for the next 50 years...and I wish you all the same.

[Astreaux]

Will be 58 in February. Playing guitar since age 12 and picked up bass this past May (2012). Gigging a few times a month with guys half my age or more. I don't think I detract from what they play, as it is mostly music that I grew up with and know by heart. Where they need tabs and chord sheets, I play from the memory of hearing it so many times in my life. Us old folks can still rock. Just might take us longer to set up and break down. I also play for free, for the love of the music, so they get a bigger cut of the $$$

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Astreaux

Just might take us longer to set up and break down.

Not me, I am really organized with set up and tear down. And I'm lugging those heavy GK RBX cabs.

Blue

[lwknives]

Originally Posted by Astreaux

Will be 58 in February. Playing guitar since age 12 and picked up bass this past May (2012). Gigging a few times a month with guys half my age or more. I don't think I detract from what they play, as it is mostly music that I grew up with and know by heart. Where they need tabs and chord sheets, I play from the memory of hearing it so many times in my life. Us old folks can still rock. Just might take us longer to set up and break down. I also play for free, for the love of the music, so they get a bigger cut of the $$$

GASP!!!!!!!!!!: scowl:
HOW COULD YOU?!?!?! you do realize you are being taken advantage of.






(Just joking, no offense meant to anyone)

[Rocker949]

Originally Posted by pb9717

I turned 50 in Oct and went through rotator cuff surgury in June. First time Ive ever had something that stopped my bassplaying cold. I've found out what alot of the other guys have....you have a better perspective on every situation then ever before, You use your time more efficiently, walk away from the crap, and cherish the joys. Im lucky in that Ive played, and continue to work with some spectacular musicians. That I find is the big difference at this age. I simply cannot "Jam for fun" with hobbyist beginners. Its about quality..and the constant search, and attainment of quality musical experiences.

Earlier this year I hooked up with a bunch of "advanced" players. they were hobbyists with chops, and skills. Just not pros. Lets say they were " outstanding mimics" of their musical idols. We played Roundabout, and Kashmir, and Highway star dead on the first time through. It was a joy. I know I couldn't speak the language of music with them due to limited knowledge of the vernacular, but they could mimic the tunes extraordinarily well. At the conclusion of the first rehearsal, we started discussing additional songlist tunes, and I was basically denied every request I made by one chap who decided he was the grand poobah. I had once again stepped into the "idiot zone". Where one snobbish idiot, that thinks he's gods gift to music because he can cover a Ritchie Blackmore lead, decides he is the unchosen leader. I called the singer a few days later and told him I could not commit. I was an easy decision. and thats the difference when you reach our age. The "no ********" factor takes presedence. Its a shame too. After the first run at " Roundabout" The keyboard player and I could not wipe the smile off our faces. We knew it sounded Killer, but the prince of fools needed to have control. So there you have it. I hope to continue having enjjoyable experiences for the next 50 years...and I wish you all the same.

It's good to give the prince of fools what was coming to him, though. I doubt if you would have been able to play any gigs anyway, since his ego most likely wouldn't have fit into a room.

[Astreaux]

Originally Posted by lwknives

GASP!!!!!!!!!!: scowl:
HOW COULD YOU?!?!?! you do realize you are being taken advantage of.






(Just joking, no offense meant to anyone)

Naw, it's a hobby for me. They do it for a living. They need the money. I love the music. Not being taken advantage of... My choice. They want to pay me, I refuse it.

[bluewine]

Any suggestions for guys my age, 1 month before I turn 60.

I am still doing 4 hour bar shows on the weekends. However, we're doing a 2-7 then right to a 9-1 show on NYE.

I will need plenty of ibuprofen for my arthritis and plenty of water to stay hydrated and hopefully a good nights sleep prior to the shows.

Blue

Attachment 307506

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Astreaux

Will be 58 in February. Playing guitar since age 12 and picked up bass this past May (2012). Gigging a few times a month with guys half my age or more. I don't think I detract from what they play, as it is mostly music that I grew up with and know by heart. Where they need tabs and chord sheets, I play from the memory of hearing it so many times in my life. Us old folks can still rock. Just might take us longer to set up and break down. I also play for free, for the love of the music, so they get a bigger cut of the $$$

That is very generous.

I hope they don't find humor in your generosity.

Blue

[carl h.]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Any suggestions for guys my age, 1 month before I turn 60.

I am still doing 4 hour bar shows on the weekends. However, we're doing a 2-7 then right to a 9-1 show on NYE.

I will need plenty of ibuprofen for my arthritis and plenty of water to stay hydrated and hopefully a good nights sleep prior to the shows.

Blue

Carb load to keep the crash away and pack some fruit for the gig. Eat real food between the gigs - avoid drive through crap and other fried nonsense.

[SactoBass]

At my current age of 56, I find that I "feel it" a bit more after the show. I think when I hit 70, I might start scaling back the part of the show where I dive off the stage into the crowd and go crowd surfing while playing my five-minute bass solo. Motrin seems to help quite a bit for that, but it doesn't seem to do much for for the fire breathing part that I do when we play Fire and Rain by James Taylor.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by carl h.

Carb load to keep the crash away and pack some fruit for the gig. Eat real food between the gigs - avoid drive through crap and other fried nonsense.

Good idea, the fruit.

I gave up fast food decades ago.

Blue

[tbirdsp]

Just turned 50 here - got back into music this year after about 18 years off (played for about 15 years before that).

Current band - guitarist and I are the same age, keyboard player a little older. Drummer and singer (his wife) are late 20's though. We have some interesting generation gap stuff come up sometimes, but in general it's all good.

Kinda related to this thread - anybody else watch this documentary? "The Other F Word"

http://www.theotherfwordmovie.com/

[Roy Vogt]

I am so glad you pointed this out to me. I will let Jimmy Haslip and Stanley Clarke both know this, since they're in their early 60s. Maybe they can let that 17 year old that slaps really fast on Youtube cover their gigs since they're obviously over the hill....

[Alivefor5]

65 years young here. Playing in 3 bands and occasionally some session work, sounding better than I ever have.

I used to get to a gig and say "where's the beer" and "when do we get paid"?
Now I bring my own coffee and ask where the bathroom is.

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by tbirdsp

Kinda related to this thread - anybody else watch this documentary? "The Other F Word"

http://www.theotherfwordmovie.com/

Looks interesting, I'm "acquiring" it now . Thanks!

Did I mention that at 57 I have daughters 28, 21, and 4 . One granddaughter 10, and a grandson on the way.

[MarkMgibson]

I'm a 134 years young and I can still best with the rock of them. I'm told the audience still love our music, but I lost my eyesight about 20 years ago, and my hearing went a few years after that, so I can only judge by the amount of bottles that are thrown at me. I have Altziemer's, but I still shag lots of groupies, or perhaps I'm just gettin' it on with a loaf of bread. Ah, who cares? It's ronly ock an rol bit I liek it!

[xgator4u]

Originally Posted by carl h.

Carb load to keep the crash away and pack some fruit for the gig. Eat real food between the gigs - avoid drive through crap and other fried nonsense.

THIS.

Carb. loading... it works.