The Smiley Smile Message Board

I don’t post here often, but I visit quite regularly.  I know there are quite a few folks here who are much younger than I, and I was just wondering what you guys (and girls) think about older guys playing rock n’ roll.  I have been playing in bands since 1973, and I will be 50 years old this summer.  Throughout the ‘90s, I played in a band with a guy that had been in The Grass Roots in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, and he has got to be nearly 10 years older than I am.  In the last couple of years I have gone to see a bunch of my old favorite musicians/bands play.  I got to see McCartney a couple of times, Simon and Garfunkel, Smokey Robinson, The Allman Bros., The Moody Blues, and Brian Wilson, among others.  This summer Steely Dan will be close by, and this fall Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young are coming through my state.  I really enjoyed all of these concerts, and there were lots of younger folks at most of these shows.  I still enjoy playing out, but when I think back to when I was in my 20s, though, I remember thinking that rock music should never, ever be played by old farts.  I was just curious to see what your opinions were about this subject.  Can you be entertained by a dinosaur rocker?  Is it still rock n’ roll?   

worst comes to worst just have a bunch of bikini clad ladies on stage and you'll be a-ok. :thumbsup

More old guys should play rock and roll. It keeps you young. I think with the speed in which more people are approaching 50 and over, old guys doing rock and roll will be (and is) quite acceptable. So shake that grey hair, leave the bifocals on the amp, and try to remember the words...

The issue these days is most of the popular music sucks. People who enjoy rock and roll, like me, are stuck listening to our albums from the 70's and 80's. My last concerts attended in the last 5 years were: Brian Wilson (three times), The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel & Elton John, KISS, Poison w/Cinderella & Dokken, and Steely Dan.

I am a fan of people making good music and me enjoying it. I've also seen Aerosmith 3 times since 1991 and have been to several Steve Miller Band shows, and 2 Ringo and his All-Starrs.

Today's music is sh*t and we have to leave it to the experts. Keep rocking. 

Yes...old farts should continue to play rock.  Basically...Rock is "old-timers" music anymore anyway.  So I don't think those in their teens and twenties are offended because what they listen to today is not really rock per say....I'm not sure they consider the pop music of today rock.  It's post-punk, post-rap, grunge...take your pick.

I think if a bunch of old guys went out and played Green Day, Linkin Park, and the like....that is less than tasteful IMO.

Face the fact...rock is not rebelious or dangerous anymore.  It's the 21st Century version of the Ray Coniff Singers.  BTW....I continue to play out weekly and I'm 45 years old.

Ever see Dick Dale? He's frickin' crazy and has to be pushing 70, best guitarist I've ever seen live.

Nothing worst about bikini-clad ladies. (Sorry, poor taste.)

Anyone should play whatever he or she wants to. Anyone should listen to whatever he or she wants to. You've got to understand that most of the younger generation will frown on the music of the aging rockers as irrelevant and past tense, and you've got to assume that the fans of the old guys will say (as someone above this post did, a few posts back) that the new music is sh*t.

Both are wrong, by the way. Old music is often relevant, new music is often good. And vice versa. Good music is good. And to argue about what that is, go to the "Is This For Real?" thread. I'm not getting into that.

Yes.

As long as they play good  :)

Ditto to the poster who mentioned Dick Dale. That guy is one badass motherfucker who can wipe the floor with all of the heavy metal and punk poseurs that  have picked up Strats since the 60's!!!!

I think Rock & Roll is all about energy, power, passion... and while it's easy to see that someone in their teens or their twenties has more energy and such than maybe someone in their 50's, I think if somebody is passionate about the music it goes a long way.  So if I see an old man on stage playing guitar, I don't usually think "oh god, he's old", I think "wow, he's still got it" or "man, that guy's got heart" or something similar. 

So rock on, man.  50's not old, anyways.  65 is getting old... but even that's no death sentence.  It's all about your passion and spirit, and with some people, that never dies.

I'm 27.

short answer:

HELL YES!!!

I'm 45 in October, just as a point of reference.

Fantastic post.  I was gonna add something, but you basically took the words right out of my mouth in a far more eloquent fashion, Luther.  :D

Wait a minute, I must've read that wrong. Did you mean "you're an asshole, you don't know what you're talking about, you need to hear [some unreleased song]?" Because that's what I'm more used to.

Should old guys play rock-music? Of course, of course!!!

Rock'n'Roll is basically about fucking the rules. Then why should there be rules about the age?
I still remember watching Live8 last year, seeing The Who, and thinking "These guys look a lot cooler and rock harder then most of the younger bands during these concerts".

They should keep rockin.  But do it gracefully.  The Stones on the Superbowl looked ridiculous.

In contrast, McCartney looked fine on his Superbowl appearence.

And as for age, I'm not telling...but I will say that I saw Jimi Hendrix in concert.

Yes, old guys should play rock'n'roll but only if they haven't lost their rock'n'roll spirit.

I get bugged at folks my age who don't go out and see real rock'n'roll being performed. A few weeks ago I saw authentic rockabilly & skiffle combos do it right and naturally the club was empty. That bugs me.

Then I get mad when folks who used to play rock'n'roll the proper way change stuff and add stuff into the mix and ruin the whole thing.

And don't slow the music down too much, and don't speed it up too much. Let it swing in the proper rock'n'roll fashion and everything is going to be fine.

We're talking about rock'n'roll right?

...Haha...As for age, I'm not telling either, but my 1st concert was the Who, and the new song was "Won't get Fooled again"

Me too.

Being a sentimental sap, I love to see the old guard out there doing it, especially the "legends".

I sometimes take for granted how many of the greats are still around, and still performing. Because I don't get the chance to see them live as much as I'd like, I wish they would be featured with more TV concerts. Look who's still around and occasionally performing: Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Paul and Ringo, Ray Davies, The Rolling Stones, Ray Manzarek & Robby Krieger, Lou Reed, and John Fogerty - just to name a few.

How many times do you see an obituary posted on a message board and go "Damn".

I'd give anything just to see Johnny Cash growling "Folsom Prison Blues" again, or even Frank Sinatra swingin' with his big band...

Well I see Jerry Lee Lewis on TV and he still rocks. I fully intend never to stop loving rock. The Beach Boys do it for the wrong reasons but Brian himself seems to still care. It think If it still means something to you stay with it. Just don't do it for $$$$ only.

I've just been watching the Cream Reunion DVD.  Those old guys can still ROCK!  And they don't look ridiculous like the Stones.  As Ginger Baker says, "We never jumped around on stage then and we won't do it now".  Also, they were able to make the music sound new and fresh.  As Jack Bruce said, "There's nothing worse than being a tribute band to yourself."   Which, of course, is what Mike Love is doing.

Thanks to all of you for the feedback.  As I said, I still enjoy playing out, and if I didn't have that passion for playing, I wouldn't be doing it.  About 6 or 7 years ago I had to take a little break from playing (about a year and a half, actually) because I felt that I was just going through the motions, giving soulless performances.  I didn't so much as pick up a guitar for much of that 18 months.  When I got that desire. that need, back, I found that even though I was rusty at first, I was playing as well as, if not better than ever.  So, thanks again for your opinions, and I am definitely going to keep shakin' my long gray hair around for awhile.

LostArt... 

Absolutely "old guys" should still play out!
I play in the Philly based cover band "Acoustically Challenged".We play 3 weekends a month at 7 different club/bars
and I'll tell ya what.....from what people have told me we wipe out 95% of the bands in our area!
Our drummer is 50;our Bass player and rhythm guitarist/singer are both 45.And I'm a young 43.Being an onstage muscian IS a drug.Age should never have anything to do with following your Passion.And YES...it does keep you young playing every weekend,meeting tons of women,free drinks,and getting paid to play your instrument!! Not bad for "old men".Well,not that old.  LOL
Big Bri

I think the best answer is giving by Carl perkins. Just go to youtube.com and watch the videos from is 1986-special (the vids from '97 are down unfortunately and they were almost better!!). That's rock'n'roll at it's purest !
Jerry Lee was already mentioned, so I won't tell you again about him.

Rock'n'Roll has nothing to do with age but with the joy of making music. BTW I'm 22, no old guy just trying to justify himself playing rock.

Too Old To Gig?

>>>>>You Might Be Too Old to Gig If...
>>>>
>>>>Before each gig, you find yourself warming up more parts of your body.
>>>>
>>>>It becomes more important to find a place onstage for your box fan,
>>>>than
>>>>your
>>>>amp.
>>>>
>>>>During the second set, you scream for the drummer to please stop
>>>>hitting
>>>>those
>>>>annoying cymbals.
>>>>
>>>>You refuse to play out of tune.
>>>>
>>>>Your gig clothes make you look like George Burns out for a round a
>>>>golf.
>>>>
>>>>Your fans have left by 10:30 p.m.
>>>>
>>>>All you want from groupies is a foot massage.
>>>>
>>>>You love shopping the dollar store because you can sing along to most
>>>>of
>>>>your
>>>>play list.
>>>>
>>>>You hire band members for their values instead of their talent.
>>>>
>>>>Instead of a fifth piece, your band wants to spring for a roadie with
>>>>the
>>>>extra
>>>>money.
>>>>
>>>>You've lost the directions to the gig.
>>>>
>>>>Prepping for the gig involves plucking hair from your chin or nose.
>>>>
>>>>Most of the hair you've plucked from your chin or nose are gray.
>>>>
>>>>You need your glasses to see your amp settings.
>>>>
>>>>You've thrown out your back jumping off the stage.
>>>>
>>>>You're thrilled to have New Year's Eve off.
>>>>
>>>>The waitress is your daughter.
>>>>
>>>>You stop the set because your bottle of Ibuprofen fell behind the
>>>>speakers.
>>>>
>>>>Most of your crowd just sways in their seats.
>>>>
>>>>You find your drink tokens from last month's gig in your guitar case.
>>>>
>>>>You no longer use a tip jar.
>>>>
>>>>You refuse to play without earplugs.
>>>>
>>>>You ask the club owner if you can start at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9:30
>>>>p.m.
>>>>
>>>>You want an opening act.
>>>>
>>>>You check the TV schedule before booking a gig.
>>>>
>>>>High notes make you cough.
>>>>
>>>>Your gig stool has a back.
>>>>
>>>>You're related to at least one other member of the band.
>>>>
>>>>You need a nap before the gig.
>>>>
>>>>You don't let anyone "sit in."
>>>>
>>>>After the third set, you bug the club owner to let you quit early.
>>>>
>>>>During the breaks, you now go to your van to lay down.
>>>>
>>>>You prefer a music stand with a light.
>>>>
>>>>You don't recover until Tuesday afternoon.
>>>>
>>>>You can't operate without a set list.
>>>>
>>>>You discourage playing longer than contracted.
>>>>
>>>>You have a contract.
>>>>
>>>>You know all the words to "Aqualung."
>>>>
>>>>Instead of asking what kind of a deal you get on beer at the bar, you
>>>>ask
>>>>if
>>>>they have a coffee pot.

High notes make me cough and I'm only 18!   :-\

That's another thing... leave your hair gray, and be cool with getting older.  Everybody gets older, I'm just a few years behind you, but i'll be there in a second.  Nothing worse than people trying to be something they're not.  You're still a rock star, don't try to be 20 again, though. 

YES. Keep playing as long as you physically can and tell everyone who tells you that you shouldn't to go *bleep* themselves.

I've been watching John Fogerty's new DVD "The Long Road Home".  Now there's another over-60 guy who can still ROCK!

Good stuff!

Yes, JimC1702, and he's currently touring with Willie Nelson, who is over 70 and still puts on a great show!

one week ago today, the guess who were in town. part of the july 4th shows that are put on free back here each year for 3 nights. they only have 2 founding members (kale & peterson..bass and drums).. (does that sound familiar??) ..but man...they flat out ROCKED for almost 2 hours. best rock show i have seen in years. yes, i was stunned that they could sound great but they were......play as long as you want and can..regardless of your age.