The Numbers Game- Too Old To Rock ‘N’
Roll?
By Stephen Rainone
“Hope I die before I get old”
- “My Generation” by Pete Townshend
They say that age is nothing but a number,
but why are so many people using age as a
means to, not necessarily picking on a band
or artist, but to say that their time on stage
or in the recording studio (Stones, Dylan-
feel free to fill in the blank with your favorite,
or un-favorite band you think whose time has
come to ride off into the sunset) is up? I’ll
bet most of those people are the same ones
that don’t believe that age matters,
but it does if you’re showing it (I
think we can safely say that Mike Ness is
defiantly showing his age). A little grey
hair and suddenly they’re saying you
need to give it up!
Look at Bruce Springsteen- he’s showing
signs of age (he’s 58), but isn’t
he still playing his ass-off with The E-Street
Band (Clarence is in his 60’s) on stage,
and making important, vibrant records in the
studio? YES THEY ARE! Bruce and the E-Street
Band are prime examples that age is really
nothing but a number. So why bring up age
if a person is committed to a dream? Why not
let them continue to love their work, and
entertain their fans? My guess is maybe that
some people are jealous, or they dislike the
band, and feel it’s time for new blood,
or dislike the sight and sound of someone
who is showing their age.
So why not pick on a band like Motley Crue?!
Lord knows they’ve been around for what
seems like forever! Or Guns ‘N’
Roses? What about Elton John, Billy Joel,
The Rolling Stones, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts,
or The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones? They all
still play pretty much like they did back
in the day, and most of them really don’t
care about their age, relating to playing
music. With age comes wisdom, and they all
seem to have plenty of it (...well, maybe
not ALL of Motley Crue, ahem, Tommy Lee, ahem!)
Yes, we do change as we grow older, but a
most of the time, hopefully for the better.
Look at The Boss and how much deeper his albums
have gotten. Motley Crue has shown us that
there’s no age cap on rockin’
out with all their touring and stage antics.
Guns ‘N’ Roses? Umm, well…
in their new configuration, Axl & Co.
show that with time, things can get better
- sort of (Chinese Democracy is good!)
Elton John and Billy Joel (both in their 60’s)
are touring together again doing a summer’s
worth of shows. The Rolling Stones have the
hearts of twenty year-olds, and have one of
the best sounds and stage presence around.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts still have
their speed, sound, energy, and love of music!
The Bosstones always fill their shows with
energy and craziness as well as getting involved
with the crowd, both of them taking the music
to another level. The Bosstones can also do
whole sets (sometimes two hours), while wearing
suits (indoor AND outdoor shows), with the
same or more velocity as a band wearing casual
clothes.
So, should you quit playing music just because
you’re 40+ or just showing your age?!
Go up and ask one of these guys or girls,
and tell them that they should quit because
they’re old and showing their age. Bring
an ice pack because you might not like the
answer you get!!
Note: Steve is 23 and has been a contributing
writer to Jersey Beat since he was 15.
