This question was inspired by Wire & String’s last blues song of the day question. He mentioned Myra Taylor’s recent death and how she still had stage presence into her 90s. This got me thinking who the oldest musician I’ve seen perform. I saw Pintop Perkins at a blues festival when he was87. At the time of his death in March of this year, he was the oldest living Mississippi delta blues musician at97. Considering his age, he had plenty of stage presence. BQ: When you see older musicians on stage, do you expect more because of their experience? Or less because of their age? Thanks for the answers @American Guitarist- yeah. I saw BB King on his 75th birthday tour about 11 years ago. He sat down the whole time, even between the show/encore. . They just dimmed the lights. Typo- That was supposed to read Pinetop Perkins. I was so pleased to find this — Leonard Cohen was 75 when I saw him in concert at MSG back in 2009. (One of the best concerts I’ve ever seen, incidentally. ) BQ: More because of their experience. I understand that older singers don’t have the same pipes they did in their younger days, and that people who were extremely energetic decades ago don’t necessarily have the same stamina today. Having said that, I’d say the greats find ways to compensate for that. (In the case of Leonard Cohen, none of that applies anyway – his music doesn’t lend itself to frenetic energy, and as far as I’m concerned his voice has actually aged very well. ) EDIT: Actually Bo Diddley may have been slightly older (by a few months) when I saw him as part of Little Steven’s Underground Garage Festival on Randalls Island back in the summer of 2004, but it was a fairly short set, and to be honest not as memorable as the LC concert, though not half bad.
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it probably is myra taylor, i’m not quite sure when the last time I saw her was, but I am thinking 3 years would be a good guess. that would put her at 91 at the time.
BQ: both. certainly the case with myra. she performed sitting in a chair for most of her latter performances, but the knowledge of how to work a crowd was what gave her that stage presence. she performed with a group named “the wild women of kansas city” and the fact that there were other, younger performers in that group gave her chances to rest while they took solos, but all the same she was easily the most charasmatic and stole the show all time.
Les Paul about 2 years before his death so I think he was around 92 in a small club when I was in the USA. It was an honor to be so close to a legend of many generations and it was definitely an experience that I will never forget and Cherish to my own grave. R. I. P Les Paul, a wonderful man and very talented musician and an innovator that’ll be remembered forever.
BQ: Neither to be honest. I would anticipate them to be better from experience I guess but I would more anticipate them to like themselves.
I think Eric Clapton was 64 when I saw him in Vegas a couple of years ago.
BQ: I expect more musically and much, much less on the entertainment spectrum (ie: moving around the stage or dancing or getting the crowd excited. ).
Haha. . . I have actually never seen a very old musician live
BQ- N/A
I recently saw the King of Surf guitar, Dick Dale this past October in Minneapolis! He was 74 at the time of the show & while he’s slowed down a bit, it was still an awesome show!! Below is a clip of him performing “Miserlou” in 2008
I’ve seen many in their 80s and 90s. Bill Tapia, who, coincidentally, just died a week or so ago at 103 was the oldest I’ve seen. I saw him at his 100th birthday concert (he may have been 99 .
I’m not sure exactly how old either artist was when I last saw them, but it’s be between B. B. King and Willie Nelson. Both put on great shows even though King was confined to a chair on stage (although it was when he was still walking out to the seat–my brother saw him a year or two ago and, sadly, he was wheeled out in a wheelchair). Nelson, however, stood up the whole time and really put on a good show. . . I believe that was last year that I saw him, but it could’ve been two years ago now.
BQ: It depends on a mixture of their age and their health. If they’re in good health, I expect more than if they’re in poor health. Generally, however, I don’t expect the most impressive show from an older artist and that’s a big part of why Willie Nelson’s stage presence impressed me so much when I saw him live.
Saw Jagger at 66 sprint all over a huge stage for a 3 hour show. He had to have put in at least 2 miles that night and didn’t perform or look any worse than he did 30 years ago. Buffett’s still rockin 3 shows a week, 30 weeks a yr at65. But then I saw Chuck Berry in a small club when he was in mid 70s and his performance showed his age.
I personally expect less due to age but am mostly surprised by the energy left. Considering the average rocker lifestyle of any act around in the ’60s and ’70s, I’m amazed most of these guys are still breathing let alone rocking.
Roger waters like a year ago
I’m thinking Pete Seeger. It was several years ago and he must have been near seventy at the time.
Jeff Beck age 67, but you wouldn’t know it. He looks as good as he did in his 20′s. But I’m hoping to see B. B. King in a couple months,but i’m broke and tickets might be sold out by the time I have the money
BQ:Well if I know they aren’t in the greatest health, than I’m pretty sure they won’t be as good as they were years ago, but that’s ok, I still go cause I respect the musician and they deserve an audience which supports them.
The Rolling Stones who are about 3,000 years old
BQ:Yeah it is strange for an old man to go jumping around the stage like any 25 year old
Ray Sawyer? Lemmy? Charlie Daniels? Rob Halford? I don’t know who is the oldest out of those, but they are certainly the oldest I’ve seen recently. Maybe Willie Nelson?
BA: I expect less because of their age but let me tell you, they have all pleasantly surprised me. And, Rob Halford will *hurt* you. Painfully.
I saw Leon Russell back in the 80′s at a club called The Ritz.
Frank Sinatra 81
Buddy Guy, 74
Bob Dylan this October.
He was 70.
The second oldest was Mark Knopfler at the same concert.
He was 62.
The third oldest was Brian Downey of Thin Lizzy in May.
He was 60.
A couple of my professors were well into their seventies when I was in college. They performed for us regularly. Not only did they have absolute mastery of their instruments, they had incredible stage presence. I was very lucky to study under them.
I saw Lee Perry back around 2000. He was about 65.