I stopped at 50. I was in a successful wedding/cover band for 10 years but the gigs every Friday and Saturday were too much for me. We had a 14 foot trailer with full PA and lights, the works. I've pretty much always done cover bands since I started at age 16. In the end I was more worried about driving home at 3:30 a.m. and getting hit by a drunk driver. I still play at home but have no desire to be in a band again.
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How Old is to Old
- Thread starter Bassin4God
- Start date
I posted earlier...
I have advanced, severe degenerative arthritis and have had both knees replaced, my neck fused, can’t tolerate a standard guitar strap due to shoulder arthritis, and can no longer tolerate anti inflammatory meds as I nearly destroyed my kidneys.
I have learned to live with pain, and thanks to a Slinger Hip Strap, I can play yet.
Our guitar player is on his way back from Miami, via Texas, to Northernmost Wisconsin...on his bicycle! He’s 67. We will resume playing when he returns in June.
Meanwhile, I am exercising to increase strength and be able to enjoy playing even more.
This.
I will be 76 on 5/25. I still gig regularly. I play out 2 - 3 days a week.
I will be doing this until I can't.
I rest my case. Age is just a number. Mine is getting pretty big.
I remember playing on a worship team at 35 wondering if I’d still be doing it at 50.
Now at 66, I play on a worship team, and enjoy bar and party gigging. I don’t see the end.
It would take a stroke to slow me down, I guess.
My friend, 30-66 went a lot faster for me than 1-30 did. Don’t waste life like I did by drinking, drugging and marrying badly. Took me till my 50’s to figure life out.
I agree, but mine and Tommy’s are getting pretty big.
You could always be in a different kind of band that isn't playing until 2 AM. I quit doing those kinds of grind gigs, but I still play plenty.
And yeah, re: drunk drivers, I also don't play New Years or St Patrick's Day if I can help it. And I usually can.
nah - you can just play quieter music (classic rock? jazz?) or play with a band that doesn't play as loud.
hipster franchise... what a great band name that would be for the right band!
and his last album was released two days before he passed on. and a really great album, too.
don't be silly. you can be full of ego and not listen to other band members at any age. i've played with people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s who didn't listen and were bursting with ego.
Yep.
It’s only on rare occasions we’re privileged to bear witness to greatness.
Many musicians live the musician lifestyle.
Only a few truly live a musician’s life.
I want to live a musician's life if it is Bono's or McCartney's or Jagger's!
I am also 57 and my party band has been going strong for decades, and we have a full gig calendar this spring and summer. Only a couple of the horn players are younger than me. All the rest of the guys are older, and looking to play more gigs as they hinge over into retirement from their day jobs.
I want to live a musician's life if it is Bono's or McCartney's or Jagger's!
When it comes to The Stones, that to me is purely a lufestyle.
It’s not the music that tombstones musicians. It’s behaving like what they think musicians should act like.
Guess it’s not called “The Hang” for nothing.
I'm 70, been playing out since my 20's. I always said that if it got to the point where I could not stand and play anymore, then I would hang it up. I don't like sitting down and playing unless I'm in the studio. So far, so good.
I approach being a musician with the same mindset an aged samurai might have:
“Wounded, old, and treacherous” trumps youth, bravery, and speed almost every single time.
“Wounded, old, and treacherous” trumps youth, bravery, and speed almost every single time.
Or as Muddy Water's sang:I approach being a musician with the same mindset an aged samurai might have:
“Wounded, old, and treacherous” trumps youth, bravery, and speed almost every single time.
View attachment 3383549
"A young horse is fast
But an old horse knows what's going on"
When I can no longer discern the difference between a bass and the fish of almost the same name....
I'm 65. Two bands that gig/rehearse regularly, occasional sub gig, jam with friends and record at home a whole bunch. I will continue doing so until I'm physically unable.
