When is time to get off the stage?

[QweziRider]

When are you too old to perform?

For me? Never. Until the day I drop on stage. Others' mileage may vary.

Sure the legends are still out there, but they were touring when they were in there 20's.

So? Why stop because of age alone? If you're feeling awkward because of the age of those you're auditioning for, change the genre or the age group you're shooting for. Or if that's impossible, then you may have to hang it up. I sure as heck wouldn't. It's what I do. I can't NOT perform.

 

[Manticore]

I've been at it about 45 years. I don't tour, but I'll do fly-in dates or long weekends; I also do as many local gigs as I can. My go-to bass weighs in at just over 14 pounds, and I have no intention of switching basses or reducing my gig schedule.

 

[Big Hoss]

Look harder, us older guys are out here, and there are a lot of us that just want to play. Just find a bunch of guys that you click with and go with it...

Most of the band scene here is guys in their 40s + anyway... The twenty somethings, at least here, for the most part are more interested in electronica and DJing anyway...

If you have physical issues, deal with them, if you have psych issues, deal with them, if either of those keep you off stage, take a break.

Change your orientation on what you want to do musically. For instance, I never would have thought or wanted to play in a country / blues cover band, but here I am at 48 chugging along on the low end just fine!

 

[HolmeBass]

Here's a bassist they literally carried off stage.

Hell yeah she died with her boots on!! That is awesome. Maybe she'll jam some with Colonel Bruce Hampton.

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

I've been in various bands in the last couple of years (if you want to call them that...) with people aged between 18 and 60. I'm 36. Current project is just me and 18 year old guitarist, making songs until we're ready to enter the mindfield that is seeking a drummer.

It doesn't matter one bit, particularly not at the amateur level.

 

[Hahaha]

One of the bands I play in has an age range from 20 to 69. We have a large following that has the same age range. It's pretty cool.

Last year I played in a trio that opened for The Moonshine Bandits at a large concert venue. The Moonshine Bandits draw a mostly 20s & 30s following. The band I played in was a trio aged 63 (me) 70 and 75. We didn't want the gig because we thought it would be embarrassing, but the promotor insisted on having us. I'll admit I felt a twinge of embarrassment when we took the stage, but after the first song we had them. We heard loads of compliments when we came down off the stage.

 

[ThePresident777]

When are you too old 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 could restrict myself to only playing with people in the same age bracket but it's hard enough to find good musicians who are dedicated without limiting yourself to a certain age.

The real kicker came at my last audition. I thought I was going to the drummer's house but in reality it was his father's house. We were jamming melodic metal at 120db when his grandmother came waddling across the living room in her nightie to retrieve the mail off the dining room table. Awkward!

Awkward? Certainly. Music Video? Possibly.

 

[ctbass]

I am 52, and am getting more calls than ANY time in my life. Thinking it was weird. Smiling because I see from this post it's happening to many others. I suppose with age comes, experience - not just playing but being reliable, getting along with people, being more relaxed because of all we've seen in life. Actually makes sense that we would be in demand

 

[LucasMcCain]

I've got 38 years of guitar/bass experience under my belt, and my body has more miles than a worn out freightliner. I'm broke down pretty bad, all over. But what really started bringing me down was arthritis in my hands and wrists. I got to where I couldn't take advil anymore, and had to hang it up. But now my doctor prescribes Voltaren gel, and it works- Problem is, I don't smell like a rock star anymore, but I guess it could be worse. (depends of course)

 

[WillOtter]

I retired from my day job so now i can take daytime gigs in addition to evenings. At 62 I'm gigging as much as ever. I started at 17, it's still fun so why would I quit now.

 

[RichardW]

Papa John Creech was almost 60 when he started playing with Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship in the 70s--when the rest of the players in those bands were in their 30s. Just sayin'...

 

[chadds]

They asked Sophia Loren why she looks so great at her age. She said, "I don't make old person noises when I stand up."
Hang in there. The young whipper snappers will realize what the monster players now knew when they were young. You go play with people who are better than you are! Sit in with those old cats. Listen and learn.

However I met a bassist who pulled his bass up so he had complete access to the fretboard. Before it was at his knees. His band mates said, "What about your image man?"
So I guess you find someone else to play with.
"Oh, Mack? Yeah he was famous for posing. Couldn't play but hey?"

Our personal responsibility might border on looking healthy so your age isn't an issue. If you have to go home at 8:30 perhaps you're sending the wrong message. Work out so you can haul your gear and keep some late hours. Eat well too. Be about the music not the drama and you'll be called all the time. (I've learned my lesson!) Be able to play it all with feeling. ...and don't mention that you played with Moses & the Stone Tablets.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Charlie Daniels is 80.
I'm only 74. As long as I can pull my bones up on stage and hold up my end, I'll keep doing it.
Now get off my stage!

 

[micguy]

Play until they close the lid.

I'm gonna knock on the lid (syncopated) 'til there's so much dirt on top they can't hear it no more.

 

[Fletz]

64

 

[Tony In Philly]

I'm 64 and I currently have more gigs this summer than ever. Of course it probably helps that all of the really good bands are down at the shore for the summer.

 

[tom_305]

My singer toured until 3 months before his death, a month before his 77th birthday last year. He was ok on stage until the end, the rest of it was harder for him. It was his choice and we sold out a gig in Vancouver on our last run.

It's not so much a question of age, as a question of health. I know much older people that are healthier than he was and have no issue. He didn't believe in doctors, or doing anything differently than he always did. Geniuses can be like that. For better and for worse, he lived and died on his terms.

If both you and your audience are getting something out of it, by all means - go until the end. If you have diminishing returns, shut it down until you get the itch.

 

[bolophonic]

I will never stop.

 

[DrayMiles]

Real musicians don't retire... They drop dead onstage... IMO...
Gotta go out with a bang... or a kerplunk ..

 

[JRA]

i've been a card-carrying, paid musician for 53 years! i see no reason to stop...the music gets better and the fun part is definitely more abundant.

i've advised both bands: "if i die on stage, during the gig...figure out how to use the event for marketing" = "a killer band!"