old guys playing originals?

[pjmuck]

Great story, but I wouldn't throw the towel to home recording only.

Didn't mean to imply I was, "throwing in the towel", but getting back to making MY music on MY terms in my own controlled environment after years of listening to everyone else from managers, lawyers, record execs, and fellow band members tell me how I should (or shouldn't) be making my music. You live and learn, and perhaps the one advantage of age is more life experiences. I'll admit the allure of playing out live isn't what it once was, and that has a lot to do with being older, having responsibilities, a family, etc., but the whole, "sleeping in van and subsisting on mac and cheese" stereotypical scenario doesn't have to be everyone's reality. Many players here have managed to do so successfully, as evidenced in this thread, but it's become apparent to me that if I were to get out there again (in conjunction with what I'm doing now) it will have to be on my terms and my band. I wasted too much time in the past playing submissive sideman, hoping and relying on others to lead me down paths of glory, LOL.

 

[jive1]

If someone is a writer, I don't believe there is any such thing as giving up. A writer writes. Period. Unless he's stuck, like me. The "giving up" part has more to do with ideas around success and how it's defined by the individual. If success means playing MSG with legions of groupies that the roadies are picking from to shower with you back stage, then giving up might be the thing to do at a certain point. If it means writing a hit song, why would anyone give up? I could give 50 reasons why there's just as good a chance (maybe even better) for a 65 yr. old to write a hit song, as a 20 year old.

And as for going the route of the younger bands, playing local clubs, trying to become part of the scene... which is what I think you're talking about, I can see the frustration and possible humiliation. I do still believe it's entirely possible. People just need to think outside the box. I've got a few ideas I'm keeping in the box for when I hit my 60s. And I completely believe there will one day be a band full of pop stars that got their start after age 60. Stranger things have happened.

+1

Songwriting and playing in the clubs don't necessarily go hand in hand. Even well known artists wrote songs for other people like Prince. Lots of young stars have songs that were written by someone else, and for all you know they could be ancient. Desmond Child is over 60 and is in the songwriting hall of fame, and he wrote for folks like Bon Jovi, Bonnie Tyler, Selena, Aerosmith, Scorpions, Ricky Martin, KISS, Kelly Clarkson, Dream Theater, Cher, Rosie Johnson and Alice Cooper to name a few. If Desmond Child were to be discouraged to write and perform because he was old, we wouldn't have some of our favorite songs out there.

I think if you're stuck in the 'box' of playing Rock in Clubs in a youthful band as the end-all, then you're missing out on lots of other opportunities for musical fulfilment.

 

[Jungy]

Just saw Bob Mould on Letterman. He rocked out. I really enjoyed that.

 

[bluewine]

Didn't mean to imply I was, "throwing in the towel", but getting back to making MY music on MY terms in my own controlled environment after years of listening to everyone else from managers, lawyers, record execs, and fellow band members tell me how I should (or shouldn't) be making my music.

Good to hear your not throwing in the towel.

I have people involved with my band telling me what to do.

Their usually right.

blue

 

[ACalbass]

Originally Posted by Icey101
i dont really see the point of mature aged guys standing around knocking up originals

Let me give you another perspective:

You are young in the 70's/80's,you were pushing your way into punk,a rebel,you have something to say,you do something about it,your music reflect what you are and what you are complaining about it.
This is what you are.And what many other people are.
Punk gets big.
You grow up,age,then all disappear?,you have nothing to say anymore? Did you see punk die?
I mean,who told you only young people can be rebels?
And this is not only happened to punk,all genres.
(there could be a lot more to ad,but let's leave it at that)

Imagine yourself in 30 more years,you won't change as much as you think you will,your desires are still there,about music and about everything else,is just that your vision have changed,you matured (hopefully).
What do you think will be the answer from a 60 years old guy when asked "do you want to succeed?"
Now the other factor is the presence of any real talent.
There are tons of old people with no talent ,which should follow your statement.
LOL,but of course,you know tons more of young people in the same situation,right?

People in music comes in all types,there are performers,there are creators.
Creation doesn't stop with age,nor performing.
But ones need the other,that is for sure.

 

[blendermassacre]

My originals metal band's drummer is 49...so there's that. The drummer in my punk band before that was 42. I'm not sure what we're classifying as 'old guys' but still..

 

[bluewine]

+1

Songwriting and playing in the clubs don't necessarily go hand in hand. Even well known artists wrote songs for other people like Prince. Lots of young stars have songs that were written by someone else, and for all you know they could be ancient. Desmond Child is over 60 and is in the songwriting hall of fame, and he wrote for folks like Bon Jovi, Bonnie Tyler, Selena, Aerosmith, Scorpions, Ricky Martin, KISS, Kelly Clarkson, Dream Theater, Cher, Rosie Johnson and Alice Cooper to name a few. If Desmond Child were to be discouraged to write and perform because he was old, we wouldn't have some of our favorite songs out there.

I think if you're stuck in the 'box' of playing Rock in Clubs in a youthful band as the end-all, then you're missing out on lots of other opportunities for musical fulfilment.

Desmond is not a local level writer or performer.

My comments were exclusive to the local level guys.

 

[ThudThudThud]

I've played originals pretty much exclusively since I started playing (obviously the very early years involved covers). I was press-ganged into joining a cover band a few years ago (as a favour for a friend). It just didn't do anything for me. The only good thing was that it reminded me of how much I liked playing (I hadn't been in a band for years), so I found an original band. I'm 46, and the second oldest in the band. We play hard rock. We get good gigs, and good reviews.

In addition, club owners like us because we draw a crowd who don't nurse a beer for hours. Our audience buys the expensive, good stuff. They are in our age group, have good jobs, and don't want well drinks when they go out.
We rock, they drink, everyone has a good time, the bar owner/promoter is happy.
We don't do it for the money, the accolades, and certainly not to tour/make it big. We do it because it's fun, creative, and it rocks.

As for 'old guys shouldn't play rebellious music' commented above, where were you when punk happened (1976, London for me)?

What's rebellious? Anything that your parents don't like?
Joan Baez was a rebel, Elvis was a rebel, Bob Dylan, John Lennon etc.
Before all the rebels started dressing alike (uniforms?), sounding alike, and thinking they were riding the crest of the wave, millions of kids had gone there before them. Some of the old guys out there included. We were the rebels. We just got a bit older.

Just because I have a family, a good job, a house in the suburbs, a nice car etc. doesn't mean I have any less convictions. I just have less dreams of stardom, and less reality of sitting in Denny's at 3 in the morning, and sleeping in a van.

 

[Rumblestiltskin]

All good- just so long as you realize there is probably an extremely limited market of people who want to hear originals.

Well, here I was, reading all the posts, and thinking...'yeah, good point'......'nah....********'.........Then i came across this 'gem'.
What are you smokin boy?.......if that were true we'd all be listening to white noise.

I'm 56 and I'm not done yet. I've played in working covers bands ....working originals bands .........getting famous at 56? not likely...but does that stop me from getting together with some guys and trying to write a hit?.... no it dont!!.
Fer ****s sake...every cover that you ever think of to play , is someones original! If you think that the creative process of writing songs belongs to 'famous' people, take up knitting or bingo. Everyone has a chance ...especially in todays electronic/ digital world. Sheesh!

 

[Biggbass]

I can think of several "old guys" playing originals....guys like Sir Paul, Pete T, Jackson B,
James T. I guess no one has yet informed them that playing original music is limited to the youth. Let's hope the music police don't nab them.

 

[pjmuck]

I think if you're stuck in the 'box' of playing Rock in Clubs in a youthful band as the end-all, then you're missing out on lots of other opportunities for musical fulfilment.

+1. The implication that one's success in music is limited to how well they can conquer the narrow scope of "playing out" is just downright ridiculous and unfortunate for those who can't (or won't) see beyond as much. Wherever music is needed or appreciated, there are potential opportunities.

 

[Rumblestiltskin]

Lets form the 'Music Police' ! ......these young upstarts need edjumacating.......we could arm ourselves with tazers and lie in wait in stinky backstage bandrooms across the nation.....a little torture wouldn't hurt....much!

You know, the biggest hurdle I have found to writing originals.....as an old man of 56, is that I no longer have anything to truly rage against, so if you are speaking from experience ....it's tough to stay current and not give the game away, age wise. Lyrically speaking, of course.

 

[ThudThudThud]

I left a blues band when I was 20. Way too young to have actually experienced enough to play the blues. But that's another thread entirely.

A promoter booked in a bunch of white, middle class teens ( had to sit outside the club until they went on) on to bill we were on. Shiny new instruments and back line - good stuff too. They weren't bad, but lost everyone with their blues medley. If you have a brand new Les Paul and a brand new Marshall half stack, and you've never even washed a car to get it all, you don't have the blues. If your Mom drives you to gigs in her Escalade, you don't have the blues.

Old guys have lived a bit. Have stories to tell. Have memories to share.

 

[Biggbass]

Yeah, I tried the blues thing in my 20's...it was totally lacking of any earned cred.
It always seemed to me that playing in a blues band was the easiest musical path a guitar player could take. And, technically, it may be. But having earned a wealth of life experiences to inject soul and emotion into the playing takes it to another level.

Nowadays there's a blues band on every corner and 95% of them sound the same.

 

[Curmei]

I have been doing originals for most of the last 27 years, and will continue to do them. It's a way to keep me from killing myself or someone else.

Well, the last line was a bit dramatic, but I took a year or so off in my late-20s and my wife was the one who told me to get back into a band - she said I was getting 'weirder than usual.'

Personally, I don't care what people think of the songs I write and release. I have, for the most part, always held that view - one of the many reasons why my success (as defined in the popular vernacular) has been limited. If I didn't feel like playing out, I didn't worry about it - just stay in the studio. And, vice versa.

At this point in my life, I like to play out every once in a while. I have started to see the live show as more than just the music - working projectors and props into the stage show (often times without other band members knowing about it beforehand). But, it is not something that drives me. The creative outlet is the necessary aspect for me. Even if we do covers, I enjoy tearing them apart and then putting them back together in odd ways.

I do not enjoy loading/unloading/setting up equipment. I did the tour-in-a-van thing many years ago, and have no interest in going back to that.

Having said the above, though, I realize that my views are that - mine. And, each person approaches things in their own ways.

I enjoy seeing people playing covers, still enjoy watching younger musicians run around the stage and play way too loud (just like I used to), and also know a number of "older" guys still going out and performing originals - and still holding onto the dream of being able to make a living on their music. It is all good, as far as I am concerned, and I get new ideas from just every type of musician I see.

I also understand where the OP is coming from... When I was in my early-20s, we were looking for a new guitar player. One guy showed up to try out who was in his mid-40s. Long, greying hair, still wearing the tight denim jeans and denim jacket... playing Kiss on his Les Paul, with way more enjoyment, than I thought he should be getting from it.

We played with him for thirty minutes or so, and hung out a bit. Nice guy, but in my head I was thinking, "I think this guy should be dead - not trying out for my band."

I was young, drunk much more often than I should have been, and thought I knew a lot more about things, in general, than I actually did.

I am now that "old" dude. The first band I played with when I moved south was a five-piece, original rock band. There was me, and then four other people (kids) who ranged in age from 18 to 24. I had a great time. It made me feel more alive to be around that energy again.

But, when they wanted to practice three times a week, and travel for shows, etc., I had to move along. They were great, but I have all the trappings that middle-class life brings with it (not complaining), and not enough energy to manage those things _and_ playing three or four times a week with people half my age. I can keep up mentally, but the physical will just isn't there these days.

Not everyone will agree with my take, and not everyone was an much of an idiot as I was in my teens and twenties, but that's what makes things interesting - the different views and how each of us communicate and apply them. That's what I tell myself, anyway, and - to this point - it's worked out Ok.

 

[ACalbass]

bluewine

I cannot agree that people playing originals and making it are exceptions,not the norm.

You know what? the norm is : ONLY THE EXCEPTIONS MAKE IT.
The relation between all musicians and artist that succeed and those that don't is probably in the thousands to one.
But who can say before hand who the exception is?
You have to try and see,right?

 

[Icey101]

"Making it" is a elusive goal. I was in a band in Boston during the mid 80's We were touring up and down the Northeast coast opening for major acts, we were in national rotation on WBCN. Things fell apart I won't go in to the story here. The band was EXPOSE and we were this close. I think I am closer to "making it" now than I was here. I set out to be a rockstar and became a musician................... I can live with that. http://youtu.be/E1fP5tLo_oA

how much a week did it cost to maintain those hair do's?

 

[bluewine]

bluewine

I cannot agree that people playing originals and making it are exceptions,not the norm.

I was specifically referring to guys pushing 60, playing in originals bands at the local level.

 

[bluewine]

I have been doing originals for most of the last 27 years, and will continue to do them. It's a way to keep me from killing myself or someone else.

Well, the last line was a bit dramatic, but I took a year or so off in my late-20s and my wife was the one who told me to get back into a band - she said I was getting 'weirder than usual.'

Personally, I don't care what people think of the songs I write and release. I have, for the most part, always held that view - one of the many reasons why my success (as defined in the popular vernacular) has been limited. If I didn't feel like playing out, I didn't worry about it - just stay in the studio. And, vice versa.

At this point in my life, I like to play out every once in a while. I have started to see the live show as more than just the music - working projectors and props into the stage show (often times without other band members knowing about it beforehand). But, it is not something that drives me. The creative outlet is the necessary aspect for me. Even if we do covers, I enjoy tearing them apart and then putting them back together in odd ways.

I do not enjoy loading/unloading/setting up equipment. I did the tour-in-a-van thing many years ago, and have no interest in going back to that.

Having said the above, though, I realize that my views are that - mine. And, each person approaches things in their own ways.

I enjoy seeing people playing covers, still enjoy watching younger musicians run around the stage and play way too loud (just like I used to), and also know a number of "older" guys still going out and performing originals - and still holding onto the dream of being able to make a living on their music. It is all good, as far as I am concerned, and I get new ideas from just every type of musician I see.

I also understand where the OP is coming from... When I was in my early-20s, we were looking for a new guitar player. One guy showed up to try out who was in his mid-40s. Long, greying hair, still wearing the tight denim jeans and denim jacket... playing Kiss on his Les Paul, with way more enjoyment, than I thought he should be getting from it.

We played with him for thirty minutes or so, and hung out a bit. Nice guy, but in my head I was thinking, "I think this guy should be dead - not trying out for my band."

I was young, drunk much more often than I should have been, and thought I knew a lot more about things, in general, than I actually did.

I am now that "old" dude. The first band I played with when I moved south was a five-piece, original rock band. There was me, and then four other people (kids) who ranged in age from 18 to 24. I had a great time. It made me feel more alive to be around that energy again.

But, when they wanted to practice three times a week, and travel for shows, etc., I had to move along. They were great, but I have all the trappings that middle-class life brings with it (not complaining), and not enough energy to manage those things _and_ playing three or four times a week with people half my age. I can keep up mentally, but the physical will just isn't there these days.

Not everyone will agree with my take, and not everyone was an much of an idiot as I was in my teens and twenties, but that's what makes things interesting - the different views and how each of us communicate and apply them. That's what I tell myself, anyway, and - to this point - it's worked out Ok.

Everything is relative.

Me, at 59, I pray I never lose my passion and drive for gigging.

Loading and tearing down is part of the job and I have no problem with doing it.

 

[bassbully]

I look at it this way 30,40 50 ,60 who cares! If you are willing to go out and work to play original music ...do it! My area has allot of older cat's playing all the time, most are solo singer songwriters and they play 4-6 nights a week. If you are happy this way great! If you are happy playing for what money your music makes and willing to pass making more playing other's peoples music? Right on!