Originally Posted by Guitarhacker
While I do agree with the sentiment of refuse to grow old .... There comes a time when it's time to retire, especially if you are not able to do what you used to do. I've seen a number of musicians who are still performing and giving a great performance and experience to the audience and fans and I've seen others that were embarrassingly bad and should have been home with their families, not on the road on stages trying to sing.

I've seen a lot of stars who went into semi-retirement come back and IMO sound weak. I think for many, the reason why performing when old is due to the fact that they took too much time off.

Playing and singing are physical. The muscles need to be kept in good shape, because if we let them go, especially at an advanced age, it's very difficult and time-consuming to get them back in tiptop shape.

If you don't use it, you lose it.

We take a vacation almost every year. Even if it's 2 weeks, I know when we get back, our stamina is a little off. I can't imagine what it would be if I took a year or two off.

During the COVID lockdown, when we had no gigs, Mrs. Notes and I set up the gear in the living room, and gave free concerts to the squirrels and birds that hang out in the trees around our house. (They never tipped us, not even one buck.)

For those of us who are still gigging ±50 weeks per year, everything we need to perform is still in good condition.

We also take care of ourselves.

I know this will end some day, but I'm having such a good time, I want to postpone that day as far into the future as I can.

I don't get to hear too many stars in concert, because it seems like I always have a gig the same day they are performing. But I applaud those who kept their chops up into their senior years.

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
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