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When did you stop gigging due to age?
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Got my Medicare card and played a gig last weekend... works for me 
I'm 52 and bass days are over. Over the last year started to get moderate to severe arthritis in fingers and hands. Too the extreme a few knuckles double in size. Also downsized my equipment a few years back and sold the PA but after having 3 hernias repaired, it's over.
Was gonna give a last go with a really promising group but not into the bar and club scene.
Got to give to the guys that are still playing every week. I have roughly a 20 year run and will really miss playing live. Best to all!
Was gonna give a last go with a really promising group but not into the bar and club scene.
Got to give to the guys that are still playing every week. I have roughly a 20 year run and will really miss playing live. Best to all!
Our gig last Sunday at the Appleumpkin Festival, Tecumseh, Mi. Band members all in 60s to 70s. 90 minutes in 80 degree temperature -- we sure weren't perfect, but we did all right!
I turned 62 this year. I've mostly switched over to lightweight gear, but my health is generally good* so I will keep gigging as long as I can. I'm a weekend warrior and still do late night gigs. Last month, I played three gigs in two days -- Saturday early afternoon, Saturday night, Sunday early afternoon -- and made it through OK but weary afterward. That said: I had an offer to do a fourth gig that weekend, late on Friday, but turned that down because it definitely would have been too much.
Right now, the health exception is that I have a genetic hand disorder (DC) that is slowly impacting my hand dexterity. There are temporary treatments, but no cure. I won't be joining any Rush tribute bands because of it, but aside from that I have no trouble with the usual cover band tunes. Even without that: at my age, I'm aware that other health issues could happen, so I'm going to enjoy gigging for as long as I can.
One of my favorite local bassists is over 70, and still has masterful touch. With luck, I can make it that far and beyond.
71 and still gigging. Don’t do bars anymore. Tribute and festival/show bands only.
Thinking of retiring soon. I want to travel to South America and live there for 6 months for instance. Only so many steps left in these old legs, I wanna use them wisely
Thinking of retiring soon. I want to travel to South America and live there for 6 months for instance. Only so many steps left in these old legs, I wanna use them wisely
I'm a weekend warrior, still working my day job, so I don't have some of the issues you mentioned. I also juggle a few different projects so I don't have the stress that comes with being cooped up (so to speak) with the same bandmates all the time. That said, there can be hassles/drama even in better situations, from venue management if not bandmates, so I totally understand why some go on hiatus or outright retire. I ain't doin' this for the money, so if the fun goes away I will definitely step away.
At 72, I can say that I have never appreciated or enjoyed playing more than now. God saved the best for last as far as I’m concerned. I’m not saying my playing is better, because I’m having 2 of my knuckles shot up with cortisone every 4 months. But the head and heart of purely enjoying the instrument has never been better.
Other factors that contributed to this that I’ve never played a better bass than my Sadowsky.
I’m 3 years into this bass and I have never looked at another (except short scale). Now for a musician that’s a minor miracle.
Also, my Begantino rig is not only great sounding, but it doesn’t punish me to load it. So better tech has help with the joy of playing as a crotchety old man. Lol
Other factors that contributed to this that I’ve never played a better bass than my Sadowsky.
I’m 3 years into this bass and I have never looked at another (except short scale). Now for a musician that’s a minor miracle.
Also, my Begantino rig is not only great sounding, but it doesn’t punish me to load it. So better tech has help with the joy of playing as a crotchety old man. Lol
Way back in 1975 I saw Kansas / Mahogany Rush / Queen (headliner) at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC -- one of very few rock shows held there. I've seen many concerts in my lifetime, and that one might be my favorite: partly because of the venue, but mostly because of the incredible onstage performances from start to finish. Dave, it's great to know that you are enjoying music more than ever after all these years.
All the best!P.S. Side note: we have similar taste in gear.
... i'm 66 years old , still gigging every weekend ,
with no plans to stop or slow down .
if you still feel the urge to play , why would you even consider quiting ???
with no plans to stop or slow down .
if you still feel the urge to play , why would you even consider quiting ???
I am 68 and seriously think I'm done. I did a 90 minute show over Halloween outside and that exhausted me. I set up a small PA for that one. I had of course done a sound gig the night before which killed me and took 8 hours. so seriously thinking about it.
In my experience, back to back gigs, or even 2 in 1 week, get harder and harder as you get older. If you can dial it back a bit, you may be able to keep on enjoying it longer. (Like so many things in life!)
84 or there about. Played till we went to "the home".
Country western till 82 and Praise at 84.
86 now and teaching myself keyboard. Key of C and chord harmony mostly. Some easy treble clef melody. Pentatonic stuff. Music is something I really love and do not see it not being in my life.
Enjoying every moment.
Country western till 82 and Praise at 84.
86 now and teaching myself keyboard. Key of C and chord harmony mostly. Some easy treble clef melody. Pentatonic stuff. Music is something I really love and do not see it not being in my life.
Enjoying every moment.
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“Retirment? All I do is play music and golf. Which one do you want me to give up?”
I’m 77. I’ll drop you a note and let you know when I stop playing gigs.
I stopped gigging when I realized that it was way too much hassle for the small bucks, drunk crowds and a******** club owners to be worth it.
I no longer play instruments because of a rare brain disorder known as Corticobasal Degeneration. Corticobasal degeneration is a rare disease in which areas of your brain shrink and your nerve cells degenerate and die over time. The disease affects the area of the brain that processes information and brain structures that control movement. This degeneration results in growing difficulty in movement on one or both sides of your body.
The condition may cause you to have poor coordination, stiffness, difficulty thinking, trouble with speech or language, or other problems.
The symptoms of corticobasal degeneration progress to serious complications, such as pneumonia or sepsis, a life-threatening response to an infection. Corticobasal degeneration complications ultimately lead to death.
People with corticobasal degeneration usually do not survive beyond an average of 7 years after symptoms begin. Aspiration pneumonia or other complications are usually the cause of death. My symptoms began over 2 years ago, so my haters can look forward to my death soon.
I'm 58 years old, and I wasn't expecting to be able to say this, but I plan to leave a good-looking corpse.
I no longer play instruments because of a rare brain disorder known as Corticobasal Degeneration. Corticobasal degeneration is a rare disease in which areas of your brain shrink and your nerve cells degenerate and die over time. The disease affects the area of the brain that processes information and brain structures that control movement. This degeneration results in growing difficulty in movement on one or both sides of your body.
The condition may cause you to have poor coordination, stiffness, difficulty thinking, trouble with speech or language, or other problems.
The symptoms of corticobasal degeneration progress to serious complications, such as pneumonia or sepsis, a life-threatening response to an infection. Corticobasal degeneration complications ultimately lead to death.
People with corticobasal degeneration usually do not survive beyond an average of 7 years after symptoms begin. Aspiration pneumonia or other complications are usually the cause of death. My symptoms began over 2 years ago, so my haters can look forward to my death soon.
I'm 58 years old, and I wasn't expecting to be able to say this, but I plan to leave a good-looking corpse.
1) when I'm no longer having fun
2) when I'm physically unable to play
3) When nobody wants me to play with them
2) when I'm physically unable to play
3) When nobody wants me to play with them
