When is time to get off the stage?

[40Hz]

I'm also 62 and a while back, after playing 4 string Fenders for aeons, decided to take the plunge and bought me a 6 string, 2 octave bass and never looked back.

I had to develop a new technique and posture that revitalized my playing for the better. I'm not only playing a lot better than ever before but I'm also enjoying the whole thing to the point that I have daily, engaging moments. It's really fulfilling. And that transformation started in my 60s. It's never too late.

I hope you keep improving and playing more bass!

Thx! I never stopped. Almost the first thing I did when they sent me back home was grab a bass and plug in to see if I still could play.

They also told me a big reason why I got so much use of my hand back was likely because of all the extra neural connections you form when developing any manual skill. They said musicians, dancers, the martial arts crowd, and gymnasts fare far better than the average individual avoiding paralysis and regaining use of limbs following a stroke or other serious injury.

Like the Top Gun school teaches fighter pilots: You don't rise to the occasion. You default to your level of training.

 

[jthisdell]

When my fingers stop working

 

[TonyP-]

When are you told to perform? Sure the legends are still out there, but they were touring when they were in there 20's. If you are a part time musician playing clubs, when should you realize you had your turn and retire? I am now in my late 50's and I feel a bit odd going to auditions where I'm the same age as the parents of the band members.

I applaud You Sir...(Serious)

 

[Steadfast]

I am a BL. I am 56 my band mates are 17 and 18 year olds.

I am a very experienced musician but find that youth players are inspiring because they try stupid sh** that us older musicians know better than to do---and sometimes they create magic.

I find this especially true with original music.

 

[foolforthecity]

I'm 59 just prior to getting onstage, 69 by the time I get home after a four-set gig. The next morning I'm 59 again, reset and ready to rumble

 

[the yeti]

The sax player in my main band is 76 or 78. I wish I could play like him.

As far as when to quit, like the song says "t minus whenever it feels right..."

 

[Killed_by_Death]

take a page from Ian Kilmister & tour right up until your death

 

[MCS4]

I think it's silly when people criticize bands for playing into their old age when other people are still willing to spend their money (or at even just their time to see them). I understand that some people like to hold onto an image of a favorite band the way they were in their prime, I certainly don't think the band owes it to the fans to do that.

 

[gjohnson441496]

I'm 56. I will play until I can no longer play. That'll hopefully be when I'm dead.

I'll add to that, too. In my 40s, when lots of people were telling me I should hang it up, I got signed to my first label. Also got my first endorsements, did my first international tours, and had the most fun I ever had playing. At 56 I landed the most heavily booked, best paying gig of my life. With people who's parents I'm older than. I also believe there's much more ahead of me. I keep an open mind, I keep pushing my comfort zones, I keep learning, and I keep believing the best is yet to come. I've yet to be disappointed with that mindset.

Tony Bennett is 90 years old and recently wrote a book Just Getting Started. He's accomplished more in the past 5 years than most people do in a lifetime.

... and it's not only about music. Tony Bennett takes painting seriously (Invalid Link Removed). I'm 59. Just bought a stratocaster (Fender American, of course), and will begin guitar lessons in 2 weeks at Belmont University. I'm a photographer and teach Spin classes 3+ times a week AND ride my bike religiously. Life is too short for stop signs and red lights (unless of course you're driving)

 

[gjohnson441496]

take a page from Ian Kilmister & tour right up until your death

or David Bowie. He finished his last album two days before he died.

 

[5thsand4ths]

I started playing classical guitar at age 10. Switched to bass at age 12 and was in the houseband of a restaurant cabaret at that time. I played in several bands and a jazz ensemble through my teens then gigged until I was 25, then quit so that I could focus on my day job career. I played here and there from time to time but it wasn't until I hit my 50's when I got seriously back into it. Now that I am winding down by work career I really enjoy the opportunity to play again.

 

[Johnny Crab]

@cman227 Time to get off the stage? Dunno about that one, your call. It's WAY MORE FUN than anything else one could do at 61.

Current band average about 85 gigs per year. Saturday we were outdoors, real feel about 100 degrees in the shade. Our guy with the worst record of nutritional "taking care of himself" AND no floor-based squirrel cage fan pointing at him had to exit twice for a few songs as he was about to fall out literally. A late joiner, he missed our boot camp, YEARS of playing outdoors for every gig year-round. When we got indoor gigs it was always appreciated.
Ages: 62, 62, 62, 61, 58

 

[vilshofen]

cman, at what age would you stop teaching? Let that serve as a guide.

 

[Doner Designs]

When you can't get up there or start falling off regularly.

 

[AngelsBassBall]

Keith Richards would say don't even think about it.

View attachment 1174486

And one could argue that he should!

 

[D-Smith]

Stop playing? No. Stop playing music that was more relevant to a younger me that had more energy and youthful angst? Yes.

 

[RichardW]

I always told me kids the difference between becoming a great athlete and a great musician is that the former is almost invariably washed up by the time he or she hits 40, and the latter can keep going until the day he or she dies.

 

[Runnerman]

Our setlist includes Alice Cooper's "I'm Eighteen". And I have to say we rock it pretty hard.

Band ages....66, 56(me) and 45

 

[Holdsg]

54-year old weekend warrior late bloomer (started at 40).
so I agree completely with many on here, hope to keep playing until I can't do it any more physically or mentally.
particularly, after I retire from my day job and spend a year or two bopping around Bluegrass and Blues festivals I've always wanted to attend but haven't yet.

 

[RustyAxe]

I'm 48, with a bullet. I'll quit when I can't drag my rig, my bass, and my tired butt to the stage anymore.

Could be tomorrow.

At 63, I'm guessing that will be deciding factor. But then, our band leader is 77 (been doing this steadily for 52 years) ... and he still schleps the PA. I did buy him a pair of speakers this year to replace the 90 lb monstrosities we were using.