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Gigging at 47...you think YOUR old


dughaze

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Everyone in my band is over fifty except our drummer who is thirty..in fact I am the same age as his dad.. I'm almost 58.

 

We are a high energy show band doing fifteen songs a set with costume changes, non stop music etc.

 

I have been playing non stop since 1959 and never had a problem finding a band or making my own. We play two or three times a month in the winter months and nearly every weekend doing corporate gigs, festivals, weddings, and a couple clubs in the summer.

 

I find I need more exercise during the week as I get older and my damn sax gets harder to play when we get up to a ski resort..but 36 holes of golf a week (walking, not a cart) keeps my wind up..

 

Hey, you are never too old to rock and roll.

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43 here. I'm feeling old today, after last night:

 

About midway through the night, I had the following bit of stage banter with a young fella on the dance floor. We had just finished Benatar's True Love, a tune she recorded with Roomful of Blues in '90. I ask over the mic (mostly to the sound tech, Damien!)

 

"Anyone know the original artist?" Nothing, but the young dude was curious so I continued... "That's a Pat Benatar tune."

 

Damien goes over the monitor mic - "oh, COOL." The young fella shakes his head.

 

I say, "Pat Benatar! You know ... Pat Benatar??"

 

He says, "Never heard of him."

 

I said, "I'm going to go slit my writsts now."

 

We're back there tonight, so I'll take my ancient, out of date self out and sing like the old woman I am. Sheesh.

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Originally posted by cherri

43 here. I'm feeling old today, after last night:


About midway through the night, I had the following bit of stage banter with a young fella on the dance floor. We had just finished Benatar's True Love, a tune she recorded with Roomful of Blues in '90. I ask over the mic (mostly to the sound tech, Damien!)


"Anyone know the original artist?" Nothing, but the young dude was curious so I continued... "That's a Pat Benatar tune."


Damien goes over the monitor mic - "oh, COOL." The young fella shakes his head.


I say, "Pat Benatar! You know ... Pat Benatar??"


He says, "Never heard of him."


I said, "I'm going to go slit my writsts now."


We're back there tonight, so I'll take my ancient, out of date self out and sing like the old woman I am. Sheesh.

 

 

Cheri, don't feel bad. We offer a free CD to anyone on the crowd who can tell us the original artist that did "Tequilla" and have never had any takers. Of course the whole crowd knows enough to yell the punch line.

 

And I heard a radio interview with a lady from New Orleans who was asked if Al Queda blew up the levee.. She said she didn't know the guys name, but was pertty sure it wasn't Al..

 

Just keep doin what you're doin...

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50 here. I took several years off in the late 80s and early 90s to raise my daughter, then went back to gigging and have been since. I play every Friday and Saturday night, and have a day job teaching school. I will keep gigging until I physically can't anymore.

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42 here......and gigging out the most I have in all my years living. I truly believe it's because I have included my spouse. She's also 42 ( shhhh.....don't tell her ) .

 

I do notice it takes it bit longer to recover from a full weekend of gigging.....but still well worth it !!

 

PJR

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I've been playing for over 26 years, went to M.I. in Hollywood in the 80's, went there when good guitar playing was king.I moved back to Fresno Calif.,only to find that the place is still stagnant and the scene pretty much stuck in austetics and pathetics.Most guys my age still have those MTV dreams(that's bad):eek: ,many don't have much music ability:freak: ,most have substance abuse(Meth/Drinking)/ego/,adolecent out looks in life:confused: ,some are just burned out on life(divorce,too much drugs/alcohol)or just gave up on them selves and music:cry:.It's hard to find musicians to play with that are my age, have similar music skills/abilities and out looks.I'm not giving up on finding the right people, I still got my gear, my Malmsteen,Vai and Satriani type of chops,a supportive woman:thu: and the hopes of running into some very talented musicians in Fresno.One thing for sure is gigging is so great I miss it dearly.So all you younger guys remember to be in love with music,even if music trends shift, the woman leaves you,or what ever else gets in the way.........you'll always have your music to help pull you throu!!!!!!!!!:idea::thu::D

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I'll be 34 in a few weeks so I'm a youngin' on this thread. I play almost every week during the summer but less frequently in the winter months. I'd go crazy if I didn't play and will do so until I can no longer move my fingers.

 

I saw a singer named Clay Osbourn a few years back (brother of Jeffery Osbourn). He must have been in his 70's! They wheeled him in - in a wheelchair, he managed to stand up on the stage, and then gave an incredible performance - he had the energy of a 25 year old! My hat's off to him! Its amazing how some people just come alive on stage.

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Originally posted by Rico Suave



Cool! What kind of music are you looking to do and what kind of lineup are you interested in?

 

Classic rock covers, eventually some originals. Our lineup will be 3 piece or 4 piece. I'm the guitarist and only singer right now and it's just me and the drummer from our old band right now. We are heavily looking for a bass, maybe one that sings so we can at least start playing again, and maybe add another guitarist.

 

What are you up to now and what choo looking ta do?:)

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Originally posted by Rico Suave



I'd like to come out and jam with ya sometime...see how it goes. I've played around the Atlanta area for many years and to be honest, I've never been in a cover band, always been in bands doing originals. But at my age (50) I think doing a cover thing would be alot of fun. I'm definately into the classic rock thing.
:cool:
I'm going to be very busy from now through Christmas, but if you're interested in getting together after the holidays just let me know. BTW...I'm a guitarist.
:D

:thu:

 

Oh yeah, we need to jam and I'll try to look you up after Christmas. I'm in a band called First Strike if we keep that name. Are you playing in a band now and what's the name?

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I am 48 and have been playing live for over 25 years. My current band the "Love Handles" has it''s first bar gig this Saturday. Never stop. Never say die. Never quit the Rock and Roll. Covers or originals doesn't matter. If the Stones can do it, we can do it. :thu:

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