Poll: Gigging and over 50 - When to quit?

[vindibona1]

I'm 67 and 10 months old and continue to gig trumpet... and just getting started with the bass gig thing! Age is telling me that my trumpet days are numbered and my bass days are just beginning. I may have to sit on a stool, but see no reason to stop playing in the foreseeable future.

 

[fleabitten]

Hey! I'm 58, and the second youngest in my main band (6 piece); the oldest
guys are 65. We've settled into a nice spot of a gig-or-two per month, and it's
comfortable. I want to keep playing until there's no more gas in the tank,
air in the tires, or spark in the engine (pick your metaphor).

58 here as well. a local venues Newfoundland kitchen party band. the older/ the better for that. I am also the youngest

 

[ursusaltered]

I'm advancing in years (64) but continue to gig (~30 times per year). I was wondering what thoughts other bassists in my position have about when to hang it up.

[Edit]
I've decide to add a current picture of myself with my current band (doing modern country) for some visual context. (I'm the one wearing shades.)

View attachment 3513665

Do it if you can, for as long as you’d like!!

 

[DJ Bebop]

When these guys stop it...

 

[Ewo]

I'm 68, and well on the way to the next number...

Having the time of my musical life, gigging steadily (average 2-3 shows/week). And...erm...I'm actually a couple years older than the songwriter/singer guy's father.

 

[Bass_Frequency]

I'm advancing in years (64) but continue to gig (~30 times per year). I was wondering what thoughts other bassists in my position have about when to hang it up.

[Edit]
I've decide to add a current picture of myself with my current band (doing modern country) for some visual context. (I'm the one wearing shades.)

View attachment 3513665

When it becomes too dam Loud only then will you be too dam old, till then keep on keeping on

 

[Mark Ambler]

It was too damn loud back in 76.

 

[bbh]

Wow guys. A lot of great pics.
I’m 60 and have had to sit during my gigs for the last 5 years or so.
Now I’m so ill, I rarely go out and only jam in a basement when well enough.
I think it would be awesome to die right after a song at a gig.
Music till the bitter end...

 

[BassBrass]

I'm 67 and 10 months old and continue to gig trumpet... and just getting started with the bass gig thing! Age is telling me that my trumpet days are numbered and my bass days are just beginning. I may have to sit on a stool, but see no reason to stop playing in the foreseeable future.

A good stool is a fine thing, also there are lean-back almost standing tall stools that work.
Vin, one great and comforting thing about the bass is all you have to do is pluck the string and it WILL make a sound. Every time. As we know with trumpet you have to invent the whole game every time and have faith the center holds. Fortunately daily trumpet practice is good cardio.
The pole is flawed because of the 'once I'm physically etc.' answer skewing it and the way people are finding to keep going. My gf is in elder care arts therapy and she'll love this thread! (we're 63 & 64)

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Haven’t read all the responses and I’m sure it’s been said already but my response is “when it stops being fun and you don’t expect it to become fun again”.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I'm 76. I'm still gigging. Doing about 25 - 30 shows a year.

 

[Exploiter007]

This was taken two years' ago. I'm 57 and still gig.

 

[GoesThump]

50, and gigging with 7 bands. I won't stop until I can't move....

View attachment 3514116

When I first looked at this I thought "dear God! he must be one tough SOB to rock out like that with his right knee that swollen!"

Then I realized that was someone's head.

GT

 

[DJ Bebop]

When I first looked at this I thought "dear God! he must be one tough SOB to rock out like that with his right knee that swollen!"

Then I realized that was someone's head.

GT

 

[SWRnut]

Just turned 62, and no end in sight (at least not that I'm aware of). Started at 14 and never been out of a band. Got back to playing rock and roll about twelve years ago, and it became my Fountain of Youth.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

 

[DJ Bebop]

Our drummer just quit a couple weeks back. He's a monster at the kit, so it's a great loss. He said his wife and daughter wanted him to quit for "health reasons". Sounds to me like he is now interested in becoming an old man.

Do young guy things, stay young. Do old guy things, get old.

It can be harder on a drummer...

Retirement
Peart announced his retirement in an interview in December 2015:

Lately, Olivia has been introducing me to new friends at school as 'My dad—He's a retired drummer.' True to say—funny to hear. And it does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to ... take yourself out of the game. I would rather set it aside than face the predicament described in our song 'Losing It' ...Invalid Link Removed

Peart had been suffering from chronic tendonitis and shoulder problems.[29] In January 2018, Alex Lifeson confirmed that Rush is "basically done".[8] Peart remains friends with his former bandmates.[30]
Neil Peart - Wikipedia

 

[Mastermold]

It can be harder on a drummer...

Retirement
Peart announced his retirement in an interview in December 2015:

Lately, Olivia has been introducing me to new friends at school as 'My dad—He's a retired drummer.' True to say—funny to hear. And it does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to ... take yourself out of the game. I would rather set it aside than face the predicament described in our song 'Losing It' ...Invalid Link Removed

Peart had been suffering from chronic tendonitis and shoulder problems.[29] In January 2018, Alex Lifeson confirmed that Rush is "basically done".[8] Peart remains friends with his former bandmates.[30]
Neil Peart - Wikipedia

Yeah drumming is harder to keep going than bass or guitar.

 

[adk teleman]

I’m 54, and love playing out! I’ve found smaller rigs ( Ampeg PF800 into a PF115LF) really make a difference. For bigger gigs line out to the FOH is all I need. I’m the geezer in my band. My guitarist is 28, drummer 42. LOL

 

[electracoyote]

I shut down the last band I will ever manage a couple of years ago and I was prepared to slow way down. I'm 60 years old.

But I find myself doing more gigs as a sub (on guitar and bass) than I was in my own bands, and making better money because they are almost all private/upscale events. I have at least three BL's calling me regularly. The only difference now is I don't do any heavy lifting, booking, hosting, administration, or promoting beyond shares on my own Facebook page and e-mail list. Just like the horn players, I show, blow, get paid, and go.

I have no idea when Mother Nature will make it impractical to continue, but as it stands I'm jumping around stages with people half my age, having a blast. I think when it becomes obvious I'm the lonely old guy in sunglasses and a fedora, hunched over my axe in my black on black, standing in one spot throughout the show, I will become too self-conscious and abandon the stage for good. My vanity won't allow it. But I'm looking forward to spending more time on the other side of the line being entertained.