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Poll: Gigging and over 50 - When to quit?

Gigging and over 50 - When to quit?

  • A soon as my current band(s) dissolve

    Votes: 8 0.9%

  • By 60

    Votes: 5 0.6%

  • By 65

    Votes: 4 0.5%

  • By 70

    Votes: 10 1.2%

  • By 75

    Votes: 9 1.1%

  • By 80

    Votes: 6 0.7%

  • Once I’m physically unable to

    Votes: 714 83.4%

  • When I can only consume liquefied carrots

    Votes: 100 11.7%
  • Total voters
    856
#341
stringthrough said:
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.

I had to retire as my band's bassist last year (I'll sit in for a few songs at their gigs on occasion) at 67 years due to unreliable finger flexibility (Arthur-itis). I didn't want to compromise their sound. Here's a shot from earlier this year when I sat in with them for a few songs at a gig. Yeah, I was having fun! I was playing my successor's bass. We've swapped in the past (and will in the future). Sorry for the size...
IMG_0820.jpg
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#342
I like this response CBS newsman, Bob Schieffer got from now 86 year old Wille Nelson.

“When I asked him when he was going to retire, he said, ‘All I do is play golf and music. Why would I want to quit either of those things?‘” Schieffer recalled of his conversation with Nelson. “Pretty good philosophy.”


:)
 
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#345
TomB said:
What’s wrong with hats?
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They frequently go hand-in-hand with "wants to play like Stevie Ray, wants to look like Jimmy Buffett."

It depends on the hat. Sometimes they're totally fine. Sometimes they're an affectation (trying to hard to be cool - you aren't Rick from "Casablanca" fronting a ska band). Sometimes they're not enough of an affectation (the times that ball caps = "put in some effort").
 
#347
Ok, I'm 60. I'm playing one gig this Friday and one gig this Saturday. I turned down another offer for Friday and THREE other gigs on Saturday. Granted, that much work in one weekend is not typical. However, as long as the jobs are available, pay decent and are enjoyable I plan to keep doing it.
 
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#349
stringthrough said:
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
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Turned 54 in this past September (2019). I'll most likely be gigging as long as the money is coming in. Or unless i'm physically no longer able to.
 
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#352
I was 11 years old when I first picked up a bass, and 12 when I did my first recording date with my dad. I started gigging with his bands when I was 16. That's 54 years invested in this instrument, and 49 years of playing out.

Holding down the low end has helped to keep me more or less sane throughout some of the hardest parts of my adult life, and I know that there are more to come. Why on earth would I stop as long as there are audiences to play for?
 
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#353
I'm another one of those who started playing and gigging late in life so it's great to see so many other people who got started decades after their teen years! I played my first gig back in August just before I turned 55 and I intend to keep playing as long as I possibly can.

I mentioned earlier in this thread that my dad is STILL gigging. He turned 92 a few weeks ago and last weekend I went to see his band play their most recent show - and he's not the oldest member. When the band leader was announcing the musicians, he singled out the keyboard player, who just turned ***99*** earlier that week. You'd have no trouble believing he was 20 years younger.

I hope I have another 40+ years of playing in me!
 
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#355
I'm 63, play in 3 bands and sub for another 2. I move the PA for the 3 main bands and often don't receive much help doing so. Gigs are 2-4 days a week. Keeping physically fit is a must, it is my own form of business insurance. Best part is it's free. I'm also the oldest guy in all the bands I play for. All the old guys that I use to play with when I was young are dead. Some played up into their 80's. If you are passionate about it then it's not really work at all. I remind myself of that when I lift a 80lbs bass cab or amp rack!
 
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#360
acleex38 said:
They frequently go hand-in-hand with "wants to play like Stevie Ray, wants to look like Jimmy Buffett."

It depends on the hat. Sometimes they're totally fine. Sometimes they're an affectation (trying to hard to be cool - you aren't Rick from "Casablanca" fronting a ska band). Sometimes they're not enough of an affectation (the times that ball caps = "put in some effort").
Click to expand...
Nothing's wrong with hats. Caps, yes, but not hats.
 

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