When did you stop gigging due to age?

[City]

62. September has been and is, a busy month for me. 5 gigs. As mentioned before in a different thread, I have steered to a different kinda jam. Got away from hair band stuff. Was never really my thing anyhow, but it brought jobs in. I never had "the look".

 

[road-cat1]

I'm 72 (a few months shy of 73) and still play at a dinner theater in the Phoenix area. Most of the shows are concentrated when the winter visitors are here and then it is 5 shows a week. I also play at a steady church gig and pick up some additional freelance gigs. I have no plans on stopping but do feel that it is harder than it used to be. I am thankful that my bass rigs stay at the theater and church, so I am not carrying equipment except for any freelance gigs. Like others have stated, I can't imagine NOT playing music no matter what age I am.

 

[Richard Lindsey]

I'm 65 and lucky enough to be playing still. I will until I can't.

 

[Ralph Manak]

I'm 62, and playing less table saw and more music. Currently in two wildly different bands led by people in their 20s and 30s. Also working into doing more recording. I feel I am (finally) just getting started—with a deeper focus—and knowing how much I don't know feeds a rewarding curiosity and learning process.

 

[Hammertime3]

My wife is 82 next month and still plays a couple times a month with keyboard player in a country duo. Played last night at Modern Maturity Center from 7-9 and still loves it. They also have have a four piece band which includes a drummer and lead guitarist, but the duo seems to get almost all the work. I'm 83 and did help on an local outdoor fair setting a couple of weeks ago, but my gear stays covered up for the most part. Just not into it like I used to be.

 

[57pbass]

63 y/o and will continue to do shows “ Until The Wheels Fall Off “
It’s great to be able to play these shows and to play with my gear.
Involved in a great project that keeps me busy throughout the year. A rare late after midnight gig here and there but we’re usually done by 10. Many years ago I used to leave my house at 10 for those late night bar gigs.. which were awesome.
KEEP ROCKING!!!

 

[DJ Bebop]

Dis guy is still going at 80, I bet he has help with his gear though

I'm still going @ 65

 

[Eric Swaim]

55 here, as long as I am breathing, I'll continuing to play gigs.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

. . . and why did you stop?

Also, if you're over 60 (please provide your age in the reply), are you still gigging?

I ask because at 66 I realize my remaining gigging years are few and that saddens me.

I'm 78 and still gigging. As long as you have the desire and a good pain med prescription, you're good to go.

 

[Chris Hass]

I guess around 23? Just didn't have the time anymore between working and family life.

Hoping to get back into it perhaps in my 40s.

 

[morgansterne]

At 47 I'm a relative youngster. But my dad and I did a poetry/music performance last month. Admittedly Its been 2 years since our last show.
He's 81.

 

[petch]

66 and happy to still be gigging occasionally.

 

[Manticore]

I'm in my 60s and still gig. I'm playing as much as I want while leaving time for family and fishing (not necessarily in that order). Most gigs involve travel, so I rarely use a dedicated bass rig which reduces much of the hassle. I can't imagine stopping.

 

[Johnny StingRay]

Not really age, but my praise group was forced to stop Saturday evening Mass service after almost 25+ years (I was bassist for last 15 years) due to Covid and a new priest who was not a fan of praise music during Mass.
Now, I’m too busy with grandpa duties and my other charity work to get back into playing with a praise group again.
By the way, I want to apologize for a few previous derogatory, narcissistic, vile posts a few weeks ago…….I could blame it on an over indulgence of Jack and Bud boiler makers, but that would just be an inappropriate excuse for poor behavior…………I screwed up and am sorry for being a jerk……

 

[jmlee]

I'm 66 and still happily playing in 3 ensembles when and how the virus situation permits. Still in good shape (my opinion) physically and so don't see giving up any time soon.

 

[Texaspandj]

I'll tell you when I get there (currently 58).

But most likely I'll be playing til my fingers fall off.

 

[GreyBeard]

I'm 71 and still gigging a couple of times a mo. Age is relative to the length of your list of crap you will no longer put-up with or your state of health.

 

[bikeplate]

56 and gig often

 

[Rebel Rocker]

Still gigging at 62. Booked the next 8 weeks and starting to fill in dates after that. I guess I'll be gigging till I can't do it anymore.

 

[Ewo]

I'm 70, closing in on the next digit. Still out there gigging four or five times a month. Both my shoulder joints wore out and needed replacement parts a few years ago; been regularly doing dumbbell workouts since, and they feel pretty good now that the muscles have been strengthened. Got a touch of rheumatoid arthritis in my index finger tip joints; my rheumatologist prescribed hydroxychloroquine (yep, the stuff that had so many knickers in a twist regarding C-19), and that's stopped it from getting worse.

LOL--I'm a year or two older than the songwriter/front man's father! (There's a link in my sig for a radio show we taped.) Lucky for me, those young cats don't hold it against me. I guess they must figure I'm some distant relative of Keith Richards...