Rock Geriatrics

A Number or State of Mind?

Dion DiMucci enjoyed a string of early ‘50s/’60’s hits. “A Teenager in Love” (with the Belmonts), and “Runaround Sue” or “The Wanderer”, and still is recording and playing over 30 shows a year and says he’s happier than ever.
“What are you kidding?” says Dion who turns 70 in July. “You have more experience. My voice is much better, I play better. You enjoy it more. You’re more in the moment. Free abandon in the moment, that’s what it’s all about. That’s rock’n’roll.”

Rocks biggest names are older and if you look at the ones who demand the highest prices its groups and singers that date back to the ‘60’s and 70’s. Six of last year’s top 10 grossing tours were headlined by 50 and older acts. Madonna, the Eagles, Springsteen and the E Street Band, Neil Diamond, the Police and Tina Turner.

Many famous names are testing the age limits of rock and the concert circuits.

The likes of Elton John, 62, pairing with Billy Joel, 60.

Neil Young, 63, releasing a jagged rock album or Bob Dylan, 68, and the recent No. 1 hit album, “Together Through Life”, tours with Willie Nelson, 76.

Or....

Pete Townshend, 63, who wrote the lyric “I hope I die before I get old”, is still touring,

Mick Jagger, who turns 66 in July, “I’d rather be dead than singing ‘Satisfaction’ when I’m 45" has coveted an extra 20 years and several world tours,

Mike Love, 68, still sings “Be True to your School” at The Beach Boys' endless concert tours,

Paul McCartney, 67 in June, recently performed a 2-1/2 hour set at the Coachella festival and released “Electric Arguments” CD,

Bruce Springsteen, 60 in Sept., recently played to a sold out crowd in Chicago, proves they still have what it takes to please the OGR-ers.

One noted exception, Robert Plant, 60, shot down a Led Zeppelin reunion for fear fans would be disappointed and “the comparisons to something that was basically fired by youth and a different kind of exuberance…it’s very hard to go back and meet that head on and do it justice.”

OGR-er's recognize Elton John’s voice is deeper than it was in his 70’s heyday, and Aretha Franklin’s thinner, raspier voice may be attributed to smoking and weight.
But Tony Bennett’s classic voice is richer, and Nancy Wilson’ still sound true to hers in the ‘60’s.

That’s Rock-n-Roll…
Eric Clapton, 64