old guys playing originals?

[dbd1963]

If the only pleasure I could get out of music was playing "Mustang Sally" and "867-5309 Jenny" in front of a bunch of drunks in a dive bar, then I would probably hang it up.

Shoot, I wouldn't. I love playing live.

 

[prd004]

Yeah but they get stupid ideas that THEY are what it's all about, like Stevie Nicks did with ol' Mick Fleetwood.

Yeah, Mike M., there's a lot to be said for collaboration. We got to see that with Lennon and McCartney, whose abilities as a team we saw clearly contrasted with their individual abilities. A friend of mine noted that McCartney couldn't write a bridge without Lennon, and I ran through a few tunes in my head and realized he was right.

This might be the dumbest thing I've read on the Internet. It's true Lennon and McCartney fed off each other and pushed the other to come up with better stuff. But to say that McCartney couldn't write a bridge without Lennon is asinine.

 

[obimark]

Shoot, I wouldn't. I love playing live.

Amen- Personally I love killing the hell out of Mustang Sally, and Green Eyed Lady and Smoke on the Water live, and for a bonus I'l even play Soul Man as well!!

 

[Rocker949]

I hate to break it to you, but a lot of younger people write crap. When you're young, you expect everybody to love you (& your crappy music) as much as your mom does. As you get older, you begin to realize that it doesn't work that way & keep most of the real crap to yourself.

Imagine the boxcar-loads of absolute dreck that people like Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson (estate), Barry Manilow, Burt Bacharach, etc. must have stashed away somewhere, that nobody will ever hear!

Everybody has some number of good songs in them. For most people that number is 0, or at least pretty close to it. When those good songs come out has nothing to do with age. If you're done, you're done regardless of how old. Some people burn out at a young age & others manage to keep the fires going low & slow over a long period of time. Age's only real factor is the wisdom to keep one's crap to oneself.

Excellent post.

 

[obsidianbass]

I play in a heavy thrash band with guys in their 30's and 40's (I'm one of the youngest at 32) and we do originals almost exclusively. It's tons of fun, and we all have the kids/houses/day jobs as well. However I did feel kind of odd at an all ages show awhile back, most of the audience were 13 to 15. I felt like telling them to behave themselves! We got reviewed online from that show and received a rating of "8.5 middle age crisis dads out of 10" No lie! lol!

 

[bluewine]

Have you noticed how some famous old guys still write new stuff? Might have something to do with music being a creative outlet for some, not just a job for some people. I don't think age should be a determining factor in your creativity. I sure hope I never get old enough that playing covers sounds like a good idea.

If you enjoy gigging and being financially compensated for your craft you will.

 

[bluewine]

I'm an old guy playing bass with a few working cover bands 3 to 5 gigs a month. One of the bands I occasionally play with has members 55 to 65 years old. They are completely committed to playing originals hell or high water. I don't see a market for their music but I told them that if they can books some gigs I'll help them out and do a few practices before the gigs. They have manage to play 2 free benefit gigs in three years to less then a lukewarm response.

Older guys like me, 59 playing originals on the local level.

I can sum it up for all of you;

Embarrassing and a huge waste of time.

Blue

 

[bluewine]

I tend to agree with this- which is why I play mostly covers and don't have ANY interest in being in an original band at age 42. What's the point? I am not looking to get a record deal, or be "found out". Just want to play cool songs that get a reaction from people and are fun. Most folks by my age are just clinging to a long lsot dream/ego trip if they want to play all originals. Besides there are SO Many great songs to cover in any genre you can think of. Doesn't mean you can't put you own spin on things and be creative with your bass playing when appropriate.

I'm 59 in a blues rock cover band gigging 5-6 times a month making decent weekend warrior money and having a blast.

Local level original bands for guys my age, waste of time.

Now there are exceptions. The local 60 year old that has a strong local following he started building when he was 20 and can still fill any room in town at 10.00 a pop.

 

[obimark]

I'm 59 in a blues rock cover band gigging 5-6 times a month making decent weekend warrior money and having a blast.

Local level original bands for guys my age, waste of time.

Now there are exceptions. The local 60 year old that has a strong local following he started building when he was 20 and can still fill any room in town at 10.00 a pop.

Am thinking of transitioning to blues/rock myself within a couple of years, cool.

 

[bluewine]

Shoot, I wouldn't. I love playing live.

Me too, they don't get it.

Blue

 

[Bassist4Eris]

Really? There's an expiration date on human creativity? And "making it" (whatever that means) is the only reason to write original music? These limitations are self-imposed, people. I'm 39 and still do originals. I'm not on an ego trip, I'm following my bliss. My 53 year old drummer apparently is too. And my 29 year old guitarist doesn't even mind all the gray hair on stage.

The reason I started playing was for the love of writing my own material. I know plenty of older guys who feel the same, and still play out, to appreciative audiences, and get paid. Not paid like the cover guys, but paid. None of us have illusions about getting signed or about being undiscovered musical geniuses.

Most people would end a post like this with "sorry for the rant" but I ain't gonna.

 

[prd004]

Older guys like me, 59 playing originals on the local level.

I can sum it up for all of you;

Embarrassing and a huge waste of time.

Blue

It's only a waste of time if you can't write, can't write well, or you get no personal satisfaction out of doing it.
Not everyone plays music to make money or impress the bar scene.
There's always a bunch of people on this forum who look at things through blinders and criticize others who have a different perspective

 

[prd004]

Really? There's an expiration date on human creativity? And "making it" (whatever that means) is the only reason to write original music? These limitations are self-imposed, people. I'm 39 and still do originals. I'm not on an ego trip, I'm following my bliss. My 53 year old drummer apparently is too. And my 29 year old guitarist doesn't even mind all the gray hair on stage.

The reason I started playing was for the love of writing my own material. I know plenty of older guys who feel the same, and still play out, to appreciative audiences, and get paid. Not paid like the cover guys, but paid. None of us have illusions about getting signed or about being undiscovered musical geniuses.

Most people would end a post like this with "sorry for the rant" but I ain't gonna.

+1

 

[Crazyeelboy]

Older guys like me, 59 playing originals on the local level.

I can sum it up for all of you;

Embarrassing and a huge waste of time.

Blue

If you want to live witin that limitation, that's your choice, but does not sum it up for me. We are an originals band and play tons of good gigs locally for money. While playing covers all night has its charms, for me, it isn't nearly as satisfying as performing original compositions. I won't even start on the satifaction of recording original music.

By the way, I am 50 and have never been more creative.

 

[Rocker949]

It's only a waste of time if you can't write, can't write well, or you get no personal satisfaction out of doing it.
Not everyone plays music to make money or impress the bar scene.
There's always a bunch of people on this forum who look at things through blinders and criticize others who have a different perspective

What?? There are people here who look at things through blinders and criticize others who have a different perspective?? No way!!

 

[puddin tame]

I'm notice a trend here.

Covers guy:
I'm perfectly happy playing tunes people know and like, and being paid to do so. Why waste all that time and energy just to play your own music when the market is much smaller? I don't see the point

Originals guy:
I'm perfectly happy playing music for the love of it and I don't care that I don't get paid as much as the covers guy, or not at all, as I just love playing as a creative outlet. Why waste all that time and energy just to play other people's music, even if it there is a larger and more receptive market? I don't see the point.



Bluewine guy:
I am 59 and I play in a blues covers band and anyone who does anything else is embarrassing themselves. Here in milwaukee you can gig several times a month playing blues/rock covers. The others just don't get it. I know a guy who is 83 out in milwaukee and playing originals and no one ever comes out to see him in milwaukee.

 

[Rocker949]

I'm notice a trend here.

Covers guy:
I'm perfectly happy playing tunes people know and like, and being paid to do so. Why waste all that time and energy just to play your own music when the market is much smaller? I don't see the point

Originals guy:
I'm perfectly happy playing music for the love of it and I don't care that I don't get paid as much as the covers guy, or not at all, as I just love playing as a creative outlet. Why waste all that time and energy just to play other people's music, even if it there is a larger and more receptive market? I don't see the point.



Bluewine guy:
I am 59 and I play in a blues covers band and anyone who does anything else is embarrassing themselves. Here in milwaukee you can gig several times a month playing blues/rock covers. The others just don't get it. I know a guy who is 83 out in milwaukee and playing originals and no one ever comes out to see him in milwaukee.

The covers vs. originals argument can turn into the most vicious thing imaginable at times. There was a thread here several years ago on the topic that veered off into something akin to a civil war. However, for the most part it usually stays fairly amicable like this thread. It's reached the point, however, that I never even express my views on the subject, at least not in any serious way.

 

[pjmuck]

Aging can be a harsh reality, but it doesn't mean you suddenly become useless or talentless because you haven't "made it" yet or you turned a certain age. True, certain musical genres are youth oriented, so take solace in the fact that the minute you turned 17 you were already too washed up to be in a boy (or girl) band. But look around and you'll see many aging rock stars (Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, for example) shifting away from rock and moving into those genres that are much more respecting of older musicians (Folk, Blues, Jazz, Country, Americana, etc). I'm too old to don the skin tight leotards and mullet hair again, and too wise now to realize I looked just as ridiculous wearing that 20 years ago as would today.

At 46, I'm actually loving where I'm at right now. I've got a nice home, a beautiful family, and a burning passion to write and record original music again in a home studio I'm building, after losing my way for a few years playing in ill-fitting musical situations that I thought would be an easier road to success, or questioning whether or not my talent was relevant or worth listening to anymore. Screw that. I'm playing for all the right reasons now...and enjoying every minute of it.

 

[ACalbass]

To explain, i can understand a young teen or 20's something band doing originals, hoping to get recognised and make it big. Maybe get a following of young kids on their facebook page who will buy their itunes or EP etc

i got asked to come along for a jam with some old guys playing originals. Ok well i'm pretty close to an old guy myself, but to me i dont really see the point of mature aged guys standing around knocking up originals and trying to get gigs where they have to invite all their friends who have to sit through the same old list of originals. I would feel embarased about it. Don't get me wrong i've done originals before but the vox was a younger female that sort of justified it for me.

While your theory is realistic,the truth goes way beyond your imagination,given by the fact you only think on one single aspect of business,rather than the music itself,and this makes you ask the question.
You think making music is directly proportional to the age,and the market where to play it.
But what about those strange cases of ground breaking music that would never be composed and played if we apply your theory? only young guys can do that?
I can think composers that are over 70 or 80 years old making music everyday,of all genres,and even making hits you hear every day on the radio.
Making music is not only about to make a living,for some is the living itself.
As any art,it sometimes creates uncontrollable urges in people,pushing to come out (how many people here that compose music have not wake up in the middle of the night to write ideas down? )
Makes me wonder how much good (and bad) music is out there that we will never hear because the reality of the music business,because of this,we only get to hear what can possibly make money.
We need back those labels that were focused on the musicians and their music.(like ECM in their prime)
I think you only see the side effects music creates : the visual,the environment,the show,the success,the girls,the market,and so on.
You didn;t care to include in your theory the thought that old guys might also blow your mind away with their music,regardless they make it big or not.

 

[Means2nEnd]

I’m 43 playing in an all original band with members ranging from late 20’s to our lead guitar player who is 52. We try to make the best music we can that satisfies us. We do play out and get paid and have a small following and that’s fantastic. I am studying jazz so I can get old gracefully and play smaller jazz gigs around but that’s me also loving jazz and trying to get good enough to do so.

If you play in cover bands that’s great I love a great cover band and enjoy seeing them when I go out but I like them more when they put their own spin on it makes it must more interesting. But it thrills me to see a great original band. Music is about expression and creativity to me. I find it so dismal here sometimes with banter going back and forth about what is correct with gear, age, and worse yet what you wear. Just ridiculous to me to find guys or girls criticizing each other for whatever they choose to do.

There is a local band and made up of younger guys they are incredible and have a DJ in the back and a guy who plays a didgeridoo and mandolin and the singer and other players are fantastic they go through so many musical styles and do it well it’s inspiring. Original bands offer new ideas new sounds not being boxed in to what you think are expected they have balls and I respect it.

I’m a top sales rep in my company I have no need to play for money. The hours and money I have invested in gear and time I could never make back with cover gigs or even high paid great wedding bands. It’s so not the point for me. If money was a motivating factor I would sit at home and work at my day job planning out new sales calls. To me it makes it all worth it just playing with my band even by ourselves in the studio and I plug in my bass and hit the first note. Everything else all the crap I deal with is all gone including threads like this full of judgmental players. I have seen and heard guys say things about older guys plying probably about me too and all I can say is well kid when I was younger playing my older original bands I probably slept with your mom so how you like me now? I support it all original, cover whatever just do it and do it well.