What do you think of the old rock stars still on tour? Which ones can still deliver and which ones should give up touring? I've been seeing many concerts starring aging musicians from the 60s (on TV only, I don't attend real concerts anymore...for a lot of reasons). Some of them are as good as ever, even better (after all the sound has improved since the 60s). But others seem like they should give it up and retire.... Some of these ancient rockers are in their 70s now. I always wondered what it would be like watching these stars once they got old. Since the music they created was so timeless and so good, there was never a doubt they'd still be rockin' into the new millennium. We still see some old bluesmen playing their music into their 80s, and with the aid of a chair (and a cane in some cases), they can still play their music. But rock and rollers? When will they draw the line and decided to hang it up? The irony of rock 'n' roll being rebel music for young people now being played by ppl in their 70s for ppl in their 60s and 70s seems to escape many of us... So who have you seen recently and are they ready for the old folks home? Did you see last year's Rock Hall of Fame induction? I saw Simon and Garfunkel recently and Art was still able to hit most of the high notes well, Paul is hanging in there but looking pretty ragged around the edges. Carole King and James Taylor. Carole is showing her age now, her voice is getting a bit rougher, but still sounds good. James has still got that wonderful voice. There were many more acts too. I'll see what I can remember later...
I understand exactly, some of them are having a rough time preforming. However, I am extremely grateful a lot of them are still touring for the sole purpose being that I never got to see them when they were in their prime. So I am not against them touring...in fact I see every show I can (which isn't very much due to my lack of age and money) I recently saw Furthur (Bobby and Phil for those who don't already know) and I thought they played amazingly. Bob Dylan was pretty cool, the sound wasn't great the experience sure was. The Allman Bros. were awesome. Those are the only shows I've been to recently. And I did see Simon and Garfunkel on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I thought they were amazing. They definently gave me chills. EDIT: Ooops...I know I'm not supposed to post here, but it was a good thread
I watched Paul McCartney in the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, maybe two weeks ago. I've mentioned elsewhere on this site, he was incredible. He has maybe only got better with age, no word of a lie. And he was playing some of the heavier songs of his career, like Helter Skelter. Not bad for a guy of near 70. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlG668CsPxU&feature=related"]YouTube- Paul McCartney - Live And Let Die (Live at the Millenium Stadium) He played for three hours, including two encores. Can't be beaten
Oooh...I would love to see Carole King and James Taylor...won't be able to do it, but I can't imagine them being anything less than wonderful... I think it's great that the old rockers are still out there doing their thing...even though I don't go to live concerts anymore either, I think it would be great to see any one of them perform. I'm not sure that exactly answers the question, but it thrills me that they are still out there spreading the message...
some of the old guys have really slipped, but even slipped old guys can be alot better than some of the "new talent" that is coming at us!
I typically think either one of two things : 1) The artist(s) in question really wants to put on a show to generate more money coming in (for various causes) or 2) The artist(s) in question are true musicians and can't be away for too long from performing and making music. Willie Nelson is still terrific. I think if you still have that connection with your audience and your fans want to see you out on tour, you should do it. Cast aside all judgments of being an old foggie and all that whooey! If you do it for the love of music than it's always going to be received in a positive light by the people that find it. And I too, would love to see James Taylor. Seems the more folksy singing voices last a bit longer from that generation - at least they still sound really good.
I heard awhile back the lead singer to aerosmith steven tyler fell off the stage n was airlifted to the hospital,which I know they are a 70's band, but they still have been around quite awhile, his voice still intact he just needs to be more careful while doing his dance moves. I don't go to concerts as frequent as I once did the last concert I attended was the moody blues a couple years back and they still put on a pretty good show. I think that the artists who are still performing today from the 60's or even the 70's should keep rocking and rolling they are poets music is their love and passion and by them rockin and rollin till they run out of road proves that they are legends.
I saw the Martin Scorcese directed Rolling Stones film Shine A Light not long ago. Mick proved that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, old men should never "prance."
Last year I saw Johnny Winter at a blues fest. He had to sit down for the entire set, he was 65 but looked 75, and he no longer has that loud wailing voice, he's had to switch to a mellower voice. But those old gnarled fingers can still tear up a guitar! He blew the crowd away! It depends on the performer. If they can still cut it on stage, then let them do it until they die.
If you want to see how some of the other rockers from the '60s/early '70s have faired ... you have to hit the fair circuit. B.T.O , Grand Funk, even bands like Kansas have been busted down to the lowly carnival act. lol Seriously though, Steppenwolf comes to mind as a band that seems to have maintained integrity despite it all. I don't know if they are still going but they came to the Western Montana Fair here some time ago and what struck me was that unlike many "nostalgia" bands they didn't play their old shit, other than the obligatory "Born To Be Wild" and "Magic carpet Ride" ( both of which were ultra souped-up!) they performed all new music with as modern edge as any of the younger acts today! ZW
I see Bob Dylan and his Band as often as I can, most recently in Monterey, California. I'm not much interested in seeing anyone else live unless they're opening for Dylan.
Hey, i'm a young buck(28).You guys inspired me to start a thread. http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=410006&f=10
Grace Slick once said "I don't want to be an old fart on a rock & roll stage"--or something to that effect. She IS still singing, only now it's in the kitchen while cooking pasta. When I see some of the old groups reforming and playing venues today, it makes me a bit sad...I'm not sure why.
