Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
When did you stop gigging due to age?
- Thread starter stringthrough
- Start date
I’m 67. My last gig was a wedding reception in 2018. I was planning to resume when Covid came along, but I’m done.
I don't know, despite all, he's still here
More of an encouragement that I might make it too!
Maybe. How much heroin have you taken?
When they put me in a box I got one last gig in me.
I assume I'll stop gigging when the final nail goes into the lid. Gosh, I hope that guy is a good drummer - I'd hate to go out of this world on a poor groove.
Turning 61 in December.
Geezer Rock Forever (and Get Off MY Lawn!).
Geezer Rock Forever (and Get Off MY Lawn!).
65 and still gigging plus still have fulltime engineering job/career....so I'm thankful for each additional day on this ball zooming around the Sun. Bandmates are 66 to 63, all in decent shape. Two have had covid with minor symptoms(fever for 1 day, tired for almost 2 weeks), longest got it in Dec 2019 and both have "raging antibodies" as the blood bank nurses call them. The members not getting the coof are all on immune-boosting supplements and prevention protocols. 2020 slowed us down, 2021 is slightly better. I got slammed with what was probably H1N1 in late Dec 2019/early 2020 and was a bit glad we slowed b/c it knocked me down hard and took MONTHS to feel normal again. First time I'd been sick in 10 years. I've no covid antibodies per tests at my doc and employer(recent physical). I did put on 10 pounds due to not gigging as much...so now I'm working on more exercise at home and eating less.
Share the same thoughts as others, there are many older than me still doing it. Wife and grown children all tell me "As long as it's fun and you enjoy it, keep doing it!". Bandleader's son said "Gigging keeps you guys young" which I tend to agree with 100%. Very thankful my late Dad got me a bass in 1965 when I was 10 years old. Thanks Dad!
Share the same thoughts as others, there are many older than me still doing it. Wife and grown children all tell me "As long as it's fun and you enjoy it, keep doing it!". Bandleader's son said "Gigging keeps you guys young" which I tend to agree with 100%. Very thankful my late Dad got me a bass in 1965 when I was 10 years old. Thanks Dad!
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,069
- 46,010
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
64 - just played the Columbus Oktoberfest last Saturday. Not many gigs planned for this year and that's ok. Arthritis is starting to make playing a little painful. Some of the progression of the arthritis could be a result of the lack of gigs caused by the pandemic. Not using the fingers the same as before the world locked down.
But I'll go as long as I can.
But I'll go as long as I can.
Supplements help (I started taking D2, NAC, Zinc, etc. once the pandemic took off), but there is no substitute for vaccination and "social precautions".
I stopped gigging around 37 or 38 when my twins were born (They were a handful as there were complications for all three involved). I continued to record with friends for another few years after that but time was not abundant. Now the kids are 15 and super busy so I am stealing moments to play but having fun. Truth be told, due to an accident and back injury at work, playing live wasn't all that easy or fun towards when I stopped - with all the loading and standing around. Plus the drama! I miss it a bit but at the same time I couldn't really see myself going out and doing it again. But you never know.
The cool thing now is my daughter now plays bass and guitar. She only plays at school but it's fun to hang out with her at guitar shops and to watch her grow musically. My son hasn't picked up a stringed instrument but he has very good ears and would make an excellent recording engineer. Like I said...Still fun, just different.
The cool thing now is my daughter now plays bass and guitar. She only plays at school but it's fun to hang out with her at guitar shops and to watch her grow musically. My son hasn't picked up a stringed instrument but he has very good ears and would make an excellent recording engineer. Like I said...Still fun, just different.
I like how you put "music AND bass!"
Frank Sinatra decided when Dean Martin should stop touring. ... Frank convinced Dean to leave retirement and to go tour around the country with him and Liza or somebody, and one night while on stage Dean flicked his lit cigarette out into the audience. ... Frank fired him and Dean went back to being retired. ...
I still play upright and electric and still enjoy performing and recording with good, close friends. ...
I wouldn't take a cold call pickup gig for all the tea anywhere, "Hi my buddy gave me your number and he said you were pretty good." ...
Diversity is the key. ... Just like you learn all the styles, rock, country, blues, jazz in music you do the same with your life. ...
About 20-years ago I stumbled into the movie business working in Locations, (scouting/prepping locations). So, I managed to take, what I had learned from years and years of performance and touring, and use it in the movie business. ...
It pays really good, gives me the freedom to still play music and I sleep in my own bed.
I still play upright and electric and still enjoy performing and recording with good, close friends. ...
I wouldn't take a cold call pickup gig for all the tea anywhere, "Hi my buddy gave me your number and he said you were pretty good." ...
Diversity is the key. ... Just like you learn all the styles, rock, country, blues, jazz in music you do the same with your life. ...
About 20-years ago I stumbled into the movie business working in Locations, (scouting/prepping locations). So, I managed to take, what I had learned from years and years of performance and touring, and use it in the movie business. ...
It pays really good, gives me the freedom to still play music and I sleep in my own bed.
66 still playing, but not enough!! I think there should be a Senior's group here on TB!! I play with an 86 year old guitarist the great Bob Wood!! We usually play once a month around the Nashville area. Also with another group!! I'm recently retired, but not from Playing HaHa!!
I am 68 and wish I had more gigs. Mega Church or Jazz Real Book are ideal (Air Conditioned, , minimal gear, professional players) - but hard to find. Doing cover band gigs as hired hand. Carted250Lb of gear in and played in 90+F heat last week. Will need to rethink that one.
