Is There Such A thing As Too Old?

Was pondering this at the pit with workmates while jamming on some tunes around the fire.

One guy had taken "leave" to check out Metallica, Pantera, and Mammoth WVH (I think that was the line-up?) and was sharing his experience.

Dude had fun, so that is all that really matters. I asked about the age thing (cause that is what I do) and he said something about F'n ageism or whatever.
But then "deflected" towards the energy in the giant crowd. I get that, but changing key and tempo, or even worse not playing the arrangement the same cause you cannot play it that way anymore is a deal breaker for me.

I can go see 60 or 70 year old dudes play some blues, it is believable. But seeing most Geriatric hard rock/metal is a joke (IMHDO) Especially,some 80's glam metal band "Give me something I can pee in". I guess the exception is if they can actually bring it onstage without help from technology or have the computerized production that is merely a distraction from their shortcomings

What do you say about it?

Laterz...

Good timing, what with the Rolling Stones announcing their new album and all.

I say 'yes', but only when you can't perform anymore. If you only do studio work, then that limit gets even higher. Once you can't even make your way around the studio without help, yes, too old. Time to retire, just like with any job.

However, too old is different for every individual. Some people rock till they drop.

Depends on the band/individuals I guess.I'm sure come can pull it off and others probably should have called it quits a while ago, like KISS (Paul Stanley just doesn't have it vocally anymore,although he can move around on stage rather easily). Plus, if people are willing to pay to see the geezers play, they'll still perform, no matter how well they're able to.

Depends 

I hear Metallica has their own vinyl printing house.
They print their own albums and then charge $30.00 per album.
Record store sellers must charge $35 to make a profit.
James Hetfield’s net worth is 300 million……
Lars is 350 million…….too old, too rich.

I think it depends. Some bands are still having fun despite their age. Isn't that all that matters? We as fans or music consumers don't have to listen, watch or attend their shows.

Motley Crue is a perfect example. Really, just let it go. Rock n Roll has always been a young man's game. Most musicians run out of good ideas fairly quickly. Everyone has a limited amount of originality and creative ideas.

I really think it depends on the band. For example, Motley Crue clearly need to quit. But Winger still sounds great live. Skid Row is still going strong. Styx is their 70s and still sound amazing live.

nevermore wrote:

I think it depends. Some bands are still having fun despite their age. Isn't that all that matters? We as fans or music consumers don't have to listen, watch or attend their shows.

Exactly. It's nothing away from no-one.

It depends on the band.

Some bands just sound bad when they reach a certain age, but some sound great.

I saw Judas Priest live last year. Rob Halford is in his 70s now, and Judas Priest put on a better show than when I first saw them back in the 2010s.

In general, you can only play thrash until a certain age. It’s very physically demanding. 

But a traditional metal band or a plain rock band can go until their 70’s or 80’s (like The Rolling Stones).

Motörhead would have kept going if Lemmy didn’t get sick.

Troublezone wrote:

Motörhead would have kept going if Lemmy didn’t get sick.

He was sick and they still kept playing. The only thing that stopped Lemmy from performing was not living no longer.

Lari wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

Motörhead would have kept going if Lemmy didn’t get sick.

He was sick and they still kept playing. The only thing that stopped Lemmy from performing was not living no longer.

And as cool as it would have been if he died on stage, like I think he wanted to do, Motorhead suffered for him going on so long. He was hard to watch the last year or so.

Wrecked Neck wrote:

Lari wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

Motörhead would have kept going if Lemmy didn’t get sick.

He was sick and they still kept playing. The only thing that stopped Lemmy from performing was not living no longer.

And as cool as it would have been if he died on stage, like I think he wanted to do, Motorhead suffered for him going on so long. He was hard to watch the last year or so.

Unfortunately true.

Required Fields wrote:

It depends on the band.

Some bands just sound bad when they reach a certain age, but some sound great.

I saw Judas Priest live last year. Rob Halford is in his 70s now, and Judas Priest put on a better show than when I first saw them back in the 2010s.

Halford gets lots of help from technology

James B. wrote:

Required Fields wrote:

It depends on the band.

Some bands just sound bad when they reach a certain age, but some sound great.

I saw Judas Priest live last year. Rob Halford is in his 70s now, and Judas Priest put on a better show than when I first saw them back in the 2010s.

Halford gets lots of help from technology

I’m not sure he utilizes any vocal enhancements, but it’s well known that he uses on stage video screens to help him remember the lyrics.

Troublezone wrote:

I’m not sure he utilizes any vocal enhancements

Listen to the higher pitched extended screams. In the past, there was variation/fluctuation from show to show in both projection, pitch, timbre, and key. Today it is virtually identical from show to show. You do not do the reverse. No matter what ability you are given or busted ass to achieve.

Keith "Keef" Richards will die on stage with a cigarette in his mouth and a whiskey bottle on his amp at around 100 yrs. old, just saying, lol

James B. wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

I’m not sure he utilizes any vocal enhancements

Listen to the higher pitched extended screams.  In the past, there was variation/fluctuation from show to show in both projection, pitch, timbre, and key.  Today it is virtually identical from show to show.   You do not do the reverse. No matter what ability you are given or busted ass to achieve.

Maybe he does… I wouldn’t be too surprised nowadays. People are relying on technology more and more. Hence the recent “backing tracks” controversy.