Ageing Musos

It has been suggested by some people that there be a cut-off point in terms of age for musicians who are considered to be well and truly past their prime.  Some say 50, some say as late as 70, or even as early as 40.  Some suggest that the age varies depending on the artist – Justin Bieber can retire as soon as possible, Bob Dylan can retire when he dies, and what remains of the Kingston Trio don’t need to retire at all, they just need to be shot and “Tom Dooley” subsequently rendered a form of contraband.

And some musos who have been in the business for decades, like Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Ferry, shouldn’t even dare think about giving up, because they still make top music.  Their latest albums prove that age need not be a barrier to creating great music, provided they stick to what they know and what works, rather than try and emulate the bland cacophony that has been doing the rounds of contemporary music culture for the past 12 years or so.  Just listen to Bruce Springsteen's "We Take Care of Our Own", from his latest record, Wrecking Ball.  Listening to it is like a stoner coming across the perfect hit.

The one possible exception to the rule of 'if it works, it works" is perhaps the legendary bard and hero of the anti-war and bath-shy movements, Bob Dylan.  His latest single as of writing, “Duquesne Whistle”, proves he still has the ability to revolutionize and get away with it, even if his voice now resembles Louis Armstrong minus one testicle.

Frankly, the only people I think should retire are the record industry executives who have allowed modern music to descend into the soulless tripe it has become today.  I was an avid fan of contemporary music up until about the time the Spice Girls first came on the scene back in 1996.  And then my favorite radio station started playing only modern music, which by then had turned to rubbish, and descended into the travesty that we know as manufactured pop music.

It is obvious that age doesn’t matter when it comes to making great music.  It only matters when trends are involved.  And who really cares if the likes of Bob Dylan and Barry Gibb are considered dinosaurs by young whipper-snappers?  If it sounds good, it is music.  Period.