Poll: Gigging and over 50 - When to quit?

[Bass Man Dan]

I will play out until I don't enjoy it anymore.

 

[Plectrum72]

Getting old is the number one reason I'm so glad I dont ONLY play rock. Old geezers should stop trying to be rockers by a certain point, but that doesn't mean you have to stop playing music.

Psshh. Play what moves you. Age be damned.

 

[wyleeboxer]

I’m 51 and gig at least 6 times a month sometimes more, with 2 different 70’s cover bands.. so some long giggin nights! And then I have a couple original alternative rock band that gig once every couple of months.. thank god for class D amps and neo speakers, but my double bass gig bag is feeling heavier lately

 

[Hundred proof]

At 65 and still working a full time job, l slowed down on the playing grind. Virtually all of what we do is on Beale st in Memphis which means load in is from a parking garage a block away. I’m doing it about as much as I want to, how much longer?

 

[Moose22]

yeah, these choices are all wrong.

When to quit is when you don't want to do it anymore. Or when you can't, I guess.

If you are making good music, people are coming to the gigs, you're enjoying yourself, you're physically capable... really, what does it matter how old you are? I mean, if you're trying to be in a boy band or work as a backup player/dance on a Katy Perry tour or some such, sure. But bars to festivals, churches, weddings, whatever, nobody is going to care. Especially in rock, blues, country, worship, or the like.

 

[iiipopes]

The day you quit gigging is the day you start dying. I am 57. I am the youngest original member of the band. The other original members of the band are 65 to 70, and we are booking gigs a year in advance.

 

[bucephylus]

When asked what he was going to do when he retired, Duke Ellington responded with “Retire? To WHAT?”

 

[ShortyGetLow]

I’m 47, I quit 60 years after Keef does.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

I turn 65 in October. Been playing bass for over 50 years. Working a full time day job, and gigging about 40 times a year.

Switched to lighter equipment years ago, in deference to a history of chronic back trouble. That has helped me to keep going despite the inevitable aches and pains that come with aging.

I don't have the stamina I had as a young man, but I'm still loving it, and my playing continues to improve. Why quit when I'm still getting better at it?

Provided that my health holds up, I'm looking forward to when I retire from my day job. I plan to pack a lot of extra gigs into all that free time!

 

[MynameisMe]

I traded gear with a guy 75 years young who was still gassing for more basses. He already had 9 I think. He plays with guys older than him and says they’re all dying off, but he loves to play and isn’t stopping any time soon.
He’s an awesome bassist who can clean the floor against most I’ve ever seen.
Great guy also! I love to talk to him.

 

[juancaminos]

Time to quit is when your list of stuff you are not going to put up with gets too long.

I'm there now, I'll be 65 in January

 

[buldog5151bass]

A good friend of mine is about to turn 70. He gigs at least weekly, playing blues guitar, or sitar with a free jazz group.

 

[40Hz]

When you decide you want to.

 

[xnewyorka]

When a licensed mortician or coroner says you are done, you are done.

 

[ShortyGetLow]

I quit when the band wants to do Ed shearin songs

 

[Bander]

The way I'm acquiring gear, I must be planning on playing another 10 years. I'm 54.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I'm 63. I only switched to bass from guitar and percussion 7 years ago, so I've barely started on bass. I plan to live in good health to at least 120!

 

[Dave Orban]

I’m 64 and gigging at least once weekly. Love playing, hate booking.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

View attachment 3513696 View attachment 3513697 I turned 67 las month my regular trio, I fill in in my drummer’s other project, and my guitarist other project. Of the three (3) bands I mainly work in, in only one I am not the oldest player
I have no plans to stop
My kids say I probably have have 6 gigs on the calendar three days after I’m dead LOL
My trio
And my drummer’s project

I love a band ballsy enough to play right in front of the dart boards!

 

[flatwound62p]

Mid 50’s here and been thinking maybe I’m getting too old for it since my mid 20’s
As the youth of today like to say ... Meh, whatever