When did you stop gigging due to age?

[mike o]

About to hit 63. Still gigging but…. COVID pulled me out for a year. Also, I’ve gotten very picky about who I’ll play with (talent, attitude, song selection, etc). That in itself will retire me sooner than I like. Plus note: I’m resurrecting my old acoustic duo with my wife doing small intimate shows so I’ll be gigging unless she kicks me out again!

At my age, it’s all about making more memories rather than talking about them.

 

[InhumanResource]

You missed three letters there, big guy.

I need to know what this means, lol

 

[3Liter]

I'm 48. I have a full time job and other interests that have really taken off during the pandemic.
I'm in two bands. One that did gig and a new (more competent, maybe better?) band that wants to gig - but is a long way from it happening.

I don't want to any more. In addition to the virus, general nastiness and behavior of people out there, etc. I don't really want to be out in public much. I'll have moments during a jam/rehearsal where that magic of hitting it right is there, but nobody to watch us. I don't know what the future brings. I'll need to have some tough conversations with the bands if a desire to gig turns into a push to actually do it.

 

[OogieWaWa]

65, with a 57 (g) and a 70 yo (d); all retired. We all sing. 15 more gigs this year, we've done a dozen already. Starting tomorrow we've got two 3-gig weekends. Cover band, playing multiple genres, some pretty robust stuff. Other than setup and teardown everything is cool, hopefully nothing comes up to stop in the next decade or so. But I didn't start until I was 50. We'll play our 100th gig together in a month or so after four years together.

 

[thmsjordan]

57.
Last gig was late Feb 2020. Not because of age but the covid panic. I don't miss it anymore. World is upside down. Damn shame and truly unbelievable but it is what it is.

This post reminds me of a ancient curse I heard from one of my Chinese teachers:

"May you live in interesting times."

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, I was 69 when I stopped playing in March 2020. Most of my gigs for the last 15 years have been community concerts and special events that are done early. If bar gigs were all that were offered, I'd have been done a long time ago.

But I initially stopped playing due to Covid, not age.

 

[brianrost]

Turned 67 two weeks ago, still gigging but the writing is on the wall. I don't have contacts with younger players (20-50) so future gig opportunities rely on players of my generation continuing to hire me. In the last two years, two drummers I worked with regularly passed. The bandleader of my main band is 75. I'm figuring I have less than ten years left, then it's time for the gear fire sale.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I am 43. I used to think I was invincible, but now I am maintaining a clean diet, no drugs/ smoking, I barely drink, I bike, paddleboard, and practice kung fu. I believe that staying active is the best way to combat impending aging. Playing music, transporting gear, performing, is very physical and I want to do it as long as possible. At 43, I could have resigned to aging, but I am in better shape now than I was throughout my 30s. I lost almost 90 lbs when I was 39 and I have kept it off. I turned 40 weighing what I did in High School. I did see a dietician at one point and that helped. Once I got the weight off, joining kung fu took it to the next level. If I can do it, any of you can too.

 

[jnewmark]

I'm 73 and gig only occasionally, mostly due to aging problems like back issues, lower energy levels, etc. I used to gig 3-4 times a week, for 25 years or so, and worked day gigs most of that time, but, really, I have been playing out since the early '70's. So, its sort of been a natural slow down, mixed with aging problems, stamina, etc. The local music scene has also changed a bit, as far as the kind of music I play, or want to play, and the studio calls I used to get have just about dried up, due to Covid and other issues. But, I'm OK with it, I've had a great career, lots of fun and excitement, got to play with and record with some great players, and made a decent amount of money during this time. But, Father Time gets us all in the end, and I'm easing in to it as best as I can.

 

[Jazzdogg]

I remember hearing this several years ago: old musicians don't retire, their phones just stop ringing.

I'm 66, and have only played with friends since I retired a few years ago. The reason I no longer gig is because my wife and I bought an RV and have been traveling full time for the past two years.

 

[funkinbottom]

I'll be 67 next month. Still gig a couple times a month (not so much last year for obvious reasons), jam with friends and record at home.

 

[thmsjordan]

 

[Matt Dean]

I’m 64, I’m not gigging as much as I used to, but still do gig semi regularly. I also still play/rehearse twice weekly with the two bands I’m in.

 

[Plectrum72]

Still gigging at 49. I know, just a youngun. Our drummer is 70 and still gigging though.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Haven't yet at almost 57. Looking to retire by 60 and will be done at that time due to wanting to not have my schedule constrained. Good to read about so many folks 60+ still doing it though.

 

[Marc valero]

I will be 67 next month and still gigging regularly and enjoying it in a 5 member (with girl singer) classic rock band in Florida. We were doing 12 to 13 shows a month before the shutdown and only missed a few weeks of gigging and worked back up to 10 gigs a month for the first half of this year. I think we are doing about 7 a month now as a couple of gigs were winter season things. I enjoy performing and feel great when I do. It can be a grind doing mostly one nighters and driving one hour or two hours to a gig and setting up, playing and breaking down and driving back. Also Saturday night shows followed by shows that start at noon or 1 p.m. on Sunday leave very little time to rest.

At some point I would probably like to scale back to just local gigs in a trio or something. We are in a bit of a Catch-22, I don't mind playing with one guitar player, but the drummer/BL and girl singer always like to have either 2 guitarists or keys and a guitar, so with five members we have to travel out of town to make more money, which goes into paying for gas, so you are better off just playing locally for less money and less driving time, BUT, the coastal/bigger city gigs are more rewarding than playing our little local venues.
I still work full-time at a desk job and operate a couple of AIRbnbs with my wife, so I stay busy no matter what.

About 3 years ago I was doing a Sunday afternoon tiki bar gig and a guy came up to me and asked why I was still playing. Not sure if I was showing my age and I am the oldest member of the band, but I told the fellow I enjoy playing bass and performing.
My singing is holding up and still adding new songs. Though I am not a top-notch singer, I can do well on songs that fit my voice/style.

 

[Max Bogosity]

I read that as “when did you stop giggling” and was very confused.

 

[Wesley R]

Did jam with relatives last weekend. The oldest was 82. He has not done a bar gig or big part in ten or twelve years.

Me, I need one more gig, all sore, tired, sweaty, ears ringing, crabby paid too little, etc.

 

[Sid Fang]

Stopped gigging (but not playing!) in my 20s and started again in my 50s, though what with COVID and personnel drama it's been a couple of years since the last one. I'll stop when I can no longer remember the material. Unless I forget I've made that rule.

 

[Bassamatic]

I think maybe another 5 years?? For now, I am 76 and still gigging as much as possible. I love to play and have the time to dedicate to it. A couple years ago was playing with 3 bands - Americana, Classic Rock and Blues, playing out at least twice a month. I think I am a better (tastier) player now than I used to be, but my hands are definitely slowing down, so I am committing to short scale basses from now on. especially since there are so many really good ones now.