I was 12 for my first live gig and 16 for my first paid gig (1974 I played electric bass in a 40's big band as a substitute for the regular bassist who was out sick. I was paid $10 cash! 
).
).
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How old were you on your first gig?
- Thread starter katri
- Start date
First gig in front of an audience - 15 (1987) dinner dance music at a restaurant
First paid gig - 16 (1988) - Guns n Roses and Poison covers *winces at embarrassing memories of latex and bad music*
One wife, two children and many basses later, 22 years have passed... damn it!
First paid gig - 16 (1988) - Guns n Roses and Poison covers *winces at embarrassing memories of latex and bad music*
One wife, two children and many basses later, 22 years have passed... damn it!
Played trumpet in 6th grade band,if that counts. First time on bass was a house party at 37. First paying gig was late last year at 39. I too, got a late start.
First gig ever in 1998, I was 16 years old and barely knew the name of the notes on the neck... 
First payed gig at 18, I played at a wedding party...
First payed gig at 18, I played at a wedding party...
My first gig ever was when I was 12 in 1993. I played guitar back then. The cool thing was that it was in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where there's no such entertainment at all. So we had a huge audience.
My first gig as a bass player was in 1996, I was 16. That was the big band of the school, a brass section and wind instruments. We had a couple of shows at various famous hotels then.
My first gig as a bass player was in 1996, I was 16. That was the big band of the school, a brass section and wind instruments. We had a couple of shows at various famous hotels then.
First paid gig at 14, subbed in a band at 13, choirs and recitals back to age 5. Yeah, I like performing.
Dan K.
Dan K.
I was 14 and we were playing for a local talent show. We wowed them with our renditions of "Color My World" and "Paranoid" (both instrumental only).
Not only did we not win, my bass (a Sekova Telecaster copy) got stolen at the end of the night. A great first gig.
The best part is....35 years later, I still play with the same two guys. I even have a picture...we were rockin'! Check out the Vox Buckingham I'm playing through....and the guitar player is playing through a Traynor bass head and a Kustom bass bottom, which we borrowed from our high school. Rock Stars!
Not only did we not win, my bass (a Sekova Telecaster copy) got stolen at the end of the night. A great first gig.
The best part is....35 years later, I still play with the same two guys. I even have a picture...we were rockin'! Check out the Vox Buckingham I'm playing through....and the guitar player is playing through a Traynor bass head and a Kustom bass bottom, which we borrowed from our high school. Rock Stars!
MikeBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 4, 2003
- 11,943
- 3,140
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
16- I'm 40 now.
I literally forgot more gigs than I can remember (or most people have played!!! LOL!!)
I literally forgot more gigs than I can remember (or most people have played!!! LOL!!)
15 years old in 1991. I was a nerdy kid, but my band rocked and we were asked to play the annual Halloween party of the most popular families in the school (2 brothers and a sister) for about 200 people.
11 when we played at a family bbq where I played the drums.
12 playing bass for a school function in the picture below.
Band name: Limited Sound Distortion (L.S.D.)
We had trouble finding a replacement drummer.
So our first "gig" had 2 guitars, bass, vocals.
That's me with the shades behind the singer.
12 playing bass for a school function in the picture below.
Band name: Limited Sound Distortion (L.S.D.)
We had trouble finding a replacement drummer.
So our first "gig" had 2 guitars, bass, vocals.
That's me with the shades behind the singer.
Attachments
My first ever performance of any sorts was a church performance last year. I was (and am still) 20.
Hopefull my first paid gig will be in the summer.
Hopefull my first paid gig will be in the summer.
First performance was at 5. First paid gig was 14.
30
years ago. Lots 'o gigs between then and now. Can't imagine a better job.
30
years ago. Lots 'o gigs between then and now. Can't imagine a better job.
First paid gig at 12 years old .... jazz trio (sax, DB, drums) for the Nutley Women's Garden Club .... 
Lemmesee.. Back when I was younger I played Piano, and.. I honestly can't remember my first "gig" on that. Then I began Cello in the 5th grade, so my first gig on that was when I was 11. Then my first gig on the bass was when I was 15.
My first paid gig was at age 18 playing guitar. I went to see a band play, noticed they only had one guitar player and later asked if I could join their band. The band leader gave me a tape and said "here's 30 songs, we're playing next weekend. If you can learn them by Thursday night's practice you can play with us".
My biggest concerns during the gig were
1. remembering the middles of the songs
2. my knees were shaking so bad I was hoping no one could notice from the audience
My biggest concerns during the gig were
1. remembering the middles of the songs
2. my knees were shaking so bad I was hoping no one could notice from the audience
