Poll: How many shows have you played?

[madmikebass]

1st gig. Played washtub base in a cub scout talent show. Our featured tune was the theme to "batman". What a hoot!
Many bands, and 53 years later, absolutely no way to tell how many gigs.
Here is a pic form my first "real" gig. I still have that Vox Apollo IV bass.

 

[Jeff L.]

And/or where was your first gig?

Responses to my last thread on what covers have you played most got me thinking. Some people put down some incredibly obscure songs, and then it occurred to me - maybe they're much younger and have only played a small handful of gigs in their life?

Anyhow, I did a little rough math. My first gig was in a battle of the bands in 1976. Guitar was my instrument. First "real" club gig was CBGB in 1978. And I kinda quit music from 84 to the early 90s. That's when I picked up bass and fell head over heels in love.

All that being said, my best guess is I've played throughout my life just a little short of 2000 shows.

What's your best guess as to how many shows you've done?

What I have noticed overall is how many "old bastards" there are answering this question. I have played well over 2000 gigs over the past 51 years-I'm 62 now and got payed for my first job at 12 years old at a local church. $25 if I recall-which was a huge amount of money in 1968 at 12 years old.I truly think that the current group of bass players,guitarists and drummers will be the last of a dying breed. After we have gone. You dont hear any "garage bands" walking up and down neigborhood streets anymore. They used to be all over the place. Kids today dont have the patience to learn an instrument, and put the time in it takes to master one. So,after we are all gone---so is Rock and Roll, my dear friends.

 

[Roger Ford]

What I have noticed overall is how many "old bastards" there are answering this question. I have played well over 2000 gigs over the past 51 years-I'm 62 now and got payed for my first job at 12 years old at a local church. $25 if I recall-which was a huge amount of money in 1968 at 12 years old.I truly think that the current group of bass players,guitarists and drummers will be the last of a dying breed. After we have gone. You dont hear any "garage bands" walking up and down neigborhood streets anymore. They used to be all over the place. Kids today dont have the patience to learn an instrument, and put the time in it takes to master one. So,after we are all gone---so is Rock and Roll, my dear friends.

Speaking of old bastards....I'll be 70 soon and haven't played near as many gigs, always had a day job, family etc. What I'd like to know is for 2000 gigs which would be rounded to about 6000 hours playing, How many hours did you spend rehearsing? (never mind learning your instrument)

 

[bbh]

All early gigs were high school dances. We always got our $125 as a wad of singles. Since then I have over 3500 gigs not including sessions. Now that cancer treatment has ruined my old life, gigging days are over but I can still handle a session and some jamming here or there.