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.
Poll: Gigging and over 50 - When to quit?
- Thread starter stringthrough
- Start date
I'm 64, don't know how to do anything else.
I hear yah, at the same time. Part of me doesn't care as I have no shame
Old bass player with young kids...
That ain't gonna fly. Middle-aged bass player with young kids.
I’m only in my late 20’s but I’ve played with musicians well into their 70’s who show no sign of stopping anytime soon.
Go until you physically can’t go no more!
Go until you physically can’t go no more!
Its amusing how so many bars across the country look the same on the inside.... not in a literal sense, but I guess culturally people who own bars just kinda make them look a certain way.
Wadda mean middle-aged?
I was old but, thank you
All right. Have it your way. Well-preserved old bass player with young kids.
At 61, I'm still holding up pretty well, even after a mild heart attack and a major diet change. I have pretty decent stamina and can move my gear nicely.
The only thing that's aggravating, but inevitable is the inquiries about my age. I get an occasional call to play and after the spiel on the other end, I always replay with "I appreciate the cal, but you know I'm 61 years old, right? Then the awkward silence on the other end and I respond "Thanx anyway for the call". Happens moist off the time, but not all. And at my age, I probably wouldn't care for those gigs anyway....
The only thing that's aggravating, but inevitable is the inquiries about my age. I get an occasional call to play and after the spiel on the other end, I always replay with "I appreciate the cal, but you know I'm 61 years old, right? Then the awkward silence on the other end and I respond "Thanx anyway for the call". Happens moist off the time, but not all. And at my age, I probably wouldn't care for those gigs anyway....
We lost one 
Invalid Link Removed
Larry Taylor - Wikipedia
Canned Heat Bassist Larry Taylor Dies at 77
Invalid Link Removed
Larry Taylor - Wikipedia
Canned Heat Bassist Larry Taylor Dies at 77
Last edited:
when i'm unable to physically do it anymore.
i like gigging too much, and i get paid for it which is a nice plus. i don't get much money, and it's not always the same amount, but the band gets $700-1000 a show, split 4 ways. we play about 3 times a month. it's enough to make you feel appreciated which is nice, especially considering that i'd do this for free anyways.
Good news for me, i will always have a band waiting. i have gigged for prog metal, blues/classic rock and country bands. i'll play anything really.
i'm also a lead guitar player, but my tele and z-wreck have been collecting dust for a while now. i sometimes fear i will never step foot onstage as a guitar player again, as my town has about 20 guitar players to every bassist.
i like gigging too much, and i get paid for it which is a nice plus. i don't get much money, and it's not always the same amount, but the band gets $700-1000 a show, split 4 ways. we play about 3 times a month. it's enough to make you feel appreciated which is nice, especially considering that i'd do this for free anyways.
Good news for me, i will always have a band waiting. i have gigged for prog metal, blues/classic rock and country bands. i'll play anything really.
i'm also a lead guitar player, but my tele and z-wreck have been collecting dust for a while now. i sometimes fear i will never step foot onstage as a guitar player again, as my town has about 20 guitar players to every bassist.
50 to 64 was a couple eye blinks for me, it's amazing how fast time goes as you get older.
This thread has given me hope.
I'm 57 thanks guys /gals
I'm 57 thanks guys /gals
I’m 65 & still playing a lot. Monthly gig with an acoustic trio at a funky local Bistro, (we have been playing together, weekly, for about 25 years), local festivals and private parties, help out a local couple with one-off projects, & I am on a regular rotation (every two weeks) at our church. The church stuff is great! Playing upbeat, contemporary music with a lot of really good musicians.
Last edited:
Wow! TRB.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.
View attachment 3514361
Back in '76, I'm far left. Not sure about that guy in the middle, though
View attachment 3514359
