Geezers Just Wont Quit

[xgator4u]

We use "fogey" over here, too, but not as much as I heard it when I was a kid, and always in conjunction with the word "old." Nowadays, the kids like to substitute a different F-word in that scenario

51 Here.
When I was a lad, we called geezers "Fossils".
A different kind of F word.

 

[RustyAxe]

I'm almost 44 ... ... I'm gonna be totally bummed out if my playing ability diminishes with age - I want to be 80 and ripping lines off on stage in front of people at 100 dB SPL.

Not likely if you plan to spend the next 35 years on stage at 100db. Just sayin' ...

 

[Flabass]

60+ and still rockin' and more important learning and having fun. Tell all the "old" blues players that they should give it up. BB King comes to mind. Eric Clapton 67, Jack Bruce 69 and the list goes on.

 

[Flabass]

So far, unless I've missed a post, Russell gets the "Saggin' Bass" award for being the oldest TB Geezer (and still workin' it too) at the ripe age of 62.

Some of us, at least me, are older than that.

 

[RDUB]

Almost 57, and busier than I've ever been. Still playing in two rock bands, some trio gigs backing a jazz singer, and lots of theatre work. Three more years of the day gig, and then I'll really have some time for music!

 

[DaveDeVille]

i turned 57 last october ...
no plans of slowing down anytime soon .

 

[Turn Em Loose]

Age affects talent?? WHAT?? HOW COME I NEVER HEARD THIS??

Because you're old and deaf??

 

[fraublugher]

"We as bassist's are all investing in future happiness , pebble counters wither with age where bassists bloom."
Chairman Mwah Tze Tone

 

[rockinrayduke]

58, did it for a living for 28 years and still play weekends. It's in my DNA, will stop when I stop.

 

[Russell L]

Age is like golf. You play better if you don't keep score.

 

[Russell L]

"I am old; I recognize it but I don't realize it." --Mark Twain

 

[soulman969]

For all you old farts out there that are still workin' it.

What's the deal? Some people (not pointing out anyone in particular, Blue ) hint that age effects the ability to write and/or perform music. Do any of you experienced, matured TB'ers find this to be true? If so, what was the first thing to tarnish and how old were you when you realized it?

Haha, I suggest you wait until you get there yourself and stop asking foolish questions. I'm a better player now that I was 20 years ago. Experience trumps age.

 

[BassyBill]

i turned 57 last october ...
no plans of slowing down anytime soon .

Nice pic, Dave. I'm loving your drummer's old Slingerland kit! I have one in white pearl, it's a beauty and sounds just amazing.

/derail

 

[abngourmet]

My ability to make music hasn't tarnished (so I've been told). What has tarnished, at the age of 50, is the desire to play today's pop/rock music for the most part (with some exceptions, of course). No challenge at all for me (I grew up playing King Crimson, Rush, early Genesis, Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Yes, etc.). It bores me to tears. It's one of the reasons I'm not playing in a band at the moment - they all want to do this kind of stuff, and frankly, speaking only for myself, I have no desire to haul my equipment out to play three/four hours of that kind of material. I don't need the money that bad. But hey, to each his/her own.

 

[4dog]

47,,,,still love to play,,,still dont wear a hat when i play,,, still learning new stuff,, still remember the old stuff,,, still the most mobile person on any stage im on,,, still outdo some players,,, still not as good as some yoynger players,,, still here.

 

[bluewine]

For all you old farts out there that are still workin' it.

What's the deal? Some people (not pointing out anyone in particular, Blue ) hint that age effects the ability to write and/or perform music. Do any of you experienced, matured TB'ers find this to be true? If so, what was the first thing to tarnish and how old were you when you realized it?

I can't answer the question, I'm not old and I'm not a fart.

I never had the ability or interest in writing even when I was a young guy, so again I have no idea how my age would have an effect on abilities I've never had.

My age has had no effect on my ability to perform. Getting home at 3:00am, no problem for me at all.

Blue

 

[Johnny Crab]

Some people (not pointing out anyone in particular, Blue ) hint that age effects the ability to write and/or perform music. Do any of you experienced, matured TB'ers find this to be true? If so, what was the first thing to tarnish and how old were you when you realized it?

Carrying SVT heads & cabinets tarnished and got replaced with RELIABLE modeling gear & power amps and FOUR 2x10 cabinets, TWO 4x8 cabinets, a SWR Henry, or a BOSE PAS. The stuff that appears "tarnished" is what you avoid and refuse to put into your life(i.e. people, musicians, or gigs that are not fun). Other than that, I still work a full time day job and cherish the 70 or so shows per year. For a 4 hour show we normally do a 2-3/4 hour set, 15 minute break, 1 hour final set although we have played straight through when the audience was right. We're all in our 50's.

Didn't think I'd be going this much at 57 BUT it is the most fun with the least amount of BS I've ever had in a band.

 

[lfmn16]

Haha, I suggest you wait until you get there yourself and stop asking foolish questions. I'm a better player now that I was 20 years ago. Experience trumps age.

Like the old Muddy Waters tune goes, "Young horse is fast but old horse knows what's going on!"

 

[sobie18]

When I get older, I want people to say "Man, check out Pops...he's got chops!" Only 42 now but look 28 and I am looking forward to the next thousand years of me playing bass.

 

[mrjim123]

I'm 61. I played mainly in the 70's, gave up playing professionally for 29 years (I still owned a bass and would practice by myself for about a half hour every week or two), then "came back" in 2008 and have been gigging steadily ever since.

I'm definitely playing better than I did way back. My plucking fingers may not be quite as strong but my technique is better, and I'm a lot more relaxed when I play now. I'm also a lot better at creating bass lines that really work for original material.

Really, the only concession to age that I've had to make is the ability to haul the heavy gear.