Poll: Gigging and over 50 - When to quit?

[OldBassman]

I'm 73, gig twice a month at least in a classic rock covers and originals band and still work a full time job. I can't imagine being alive and not living the life I love.

 

[Holdsg]

I'm 56 and average between 3 and 4 gigs per month.
I want to retire soon and play MORE, not less.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Nobody knows how old I am, and nobody is gonna know how old I am. "Don't look back. Something may be gaining on you."

 

[woodyng2]

And it makes me laugh when discussions go into such length about the weight of this bass or another.

A 120 bass accordion is damned heavy! Usually from 25-30 lbs.

I’ve always preferred lighter basses since i started playing in the mid-70’s.
They seem to sound better to me....i also prefer lighter gauge strings,and higher amp power.
(These days i play “ampless” through the 2000 watt PA,including a separate 1000 watt subwoofer.)

 

[nilorius]

Quit only when you only can't.

 

[John Le Guyader]

I'm 58, retiring from my non-musical job the end of the next year when I'll be 60...I plan to play as music as often as I can after that and for as long as I am physically able to. I would even pay a roadie to lug and to set up my stuff, if it would ever get to the point I would need that...and, I'm considering becoming a luthier when I retire after some apprenticeship.

 

[Mark Ambler]

Quit only when you only can't.

I played with a 90 year old drummer at a Jazz club last week. He usually gigs twice a week. I don't think he's planning on retiring yet.

 

[Kukulkan61]

I’m 58, been gigging off and on for over 40 years, I’m gonna go until I can’t physically and mentally, although the weight bearing does take a toll on my left leg on load ins and load outs...

 

[Gizmot]

If you're past retirement age (67 for those born before 1960) and you're still playing gigs, then you're already blessed. My advice is to keep on playing as long as you can because that is what will keep you going.

In my case, I intend to keep playing as long as I can continue to cheat arthritis and I don't embarrass myself and the people I play with.

 

[Kevin Teed]

I voted "as soon as my current band dissolves".

Which basically happened about two years ago. We just get together about once a year if a friend is having a special party or occasion.

I'll be 53 soon and I have zero interest in trying to find other people to jam with. So, my gigging has dwindled down to sitting in with one of the two guitarist / singers in our band doing an acoustic show once in a while or filling in for someone a couple times a year.

 

[tb4sbp]

I will be 52 soon
I haven't gigged with a band in many years
Two reasons;
Not that many bands/musicians that I would want to play with in my area
I would not have a problem playing with descent musicians, and have on occasion which was great, but more often than not I get stuck with beginners or lazy ones that do not put any effort into playing or learning songs. Too frustrating to do that anymore!
And my back is shot
Standing or sitting for any length of time is painful
Working on fixing this

Kudos to all of you that have found good band mates and can stand upright for long periods of time
I really like reading your gig reports

Best of luck to you all

 

[pbassnut]

I'm just about to turn 65 and go on Medicare. * As long as my health holds up well enough, working bands will continue to hire me and I'm still having fun ... I'll keep doing it. Otherwise, what am I going to do with all these cool basses and amps? However, I'll be surprised if I can keep playing gigs past age 70 as I'm having more and more health problems as I age. The other thing is that I'm stuck in the past musically and have no interest in playing new music of any kind. Very little music beyond the mid nineties moves me even in the slightest so the key will be if anybody is willing to pay money to see an old man like me playing old school blues, soul, r&b and classic rock.

* I think that makes it official that I'm a senior now.

 

[JPaulGeddy]

Exercise is key! Do it for yourself and your playing career!

Can't be over-emphasized. You want to be old and playing - exercise. Early and often.

Now, if I would just follow this advice m'self...

 

[Mark Ambler]

I did a memorial gig a couple of weeks ago with the band I played with when I was 16yrs old. Sadly the original Guitarist had been in poor health and passed away. Joined as a Bass player but got shifted to Hammond and Wurlitzer E.Piano pretty quickly. I'm soon to be 59 and am playing usually 5 nights a week, sometimes more.

Back in '76, I'm far left. Not sure about that guy in the middle, though

 

[waveman]

Going as long as I can. I didn't start gigging until 40

 

[Bobhmcs]

You didn't have my selection "When they pry my bass from my dead cold fingers"
So I chose when I phsically can't.
Bob

 

[GBBSbassist]

I'll gig until I'm on my deathbed.

 

[Don Hergert]

When it isn't fun anymore.

 

[SactoBass]

I'm 63 and I will continue to play bass until I physically (or mentally) can't.

 

[Tjazz5]

I'm 57 and keep getting asked to play. So far I'm holding up for the most part.