Are We Ever Too Old For Rock and Roll?
By bostonphil
@bostonphil (4459)
United States
March 17, 2012 8:35pm CST
I live in Austin, Texas and we are having a huge music festival which is called SXSW. Music is everywhere, all over town, both day and night.
I have been trying to catch some of the very good free music. I was at Waterloo Records enjoying myself. A man came to sit next to me and said "What are you doing here? You look too old to be here?"
I was really taken aback. I am 67, after all. I would realize that he was probably joking since he was gray haired and in his 50's. But that did leave me thinking. All ages were present but the majority of fans were youngish, in their teens and 20's. However there were plenty of both fans and musicians over 50. Jimmy Cliff was one of the musicians playing, not exactly a spring chicken.
Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney, two of the great names in Rock and Roll are still gong strong along with many of their peers. How could I forget Bruce Springsteen who was just in town?
So are you ever too old to Rock and Roll?
5 people like this
14 responses
@bretay61 (722)
• United States
18 Mar 12
I personally do not think so.I love music.Old time rock and roll.The 70's rock.I am 50.My 2 granddaughters are 7 and 10 and they like the 70's rock over todays music.But I don't think you can be too old music.It's in your soul.Hope you had a good time at the festival.
2 people like this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
There were all ages at the daytime and evening shows from new born babies to senior citizens.
I wanted to have a good time at the festival and I tried. But it was too crowded. I could not really enjoy myself. I was really glad just to get home.
Other persons had a great time. it didn't work for me but it did for others. And I still know others who avoid the whole festival. Some persons now leave town during the festival.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
18 Mar 12
to answer your question , Hell No!! Music is for all ages! And that a$$hole can take a flying f@ck at a rolling donut! No one is too old Or too young for music . I was playing Mozart at age 9! I guess to many that was way too young! Everyone should be able to rock out to Any type of music that moves them.
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
Agreed. But I do think he was kidding. I was just taken aback when he turned to me and said that. I was not ready for his humor since I was turning 67 the next day which is today. I'm no kid anymore. I didn't really need the comment at that moment but he meant no harm.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
18 Mar 12
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a great day!
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
Thank you. 67, wow. Where did the years go? I am going to my 50th high school reunion in June.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
18 Mar 12
What an impertinent comment. You are not too old, as long as you can move. Tap just one toe, clap your hands or nod your head to the beat. I hope he was just teasing. It sounds like a fun festival.
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
I really think he was just kidding. He was 56 after all. And it was my generation that created Rock and Roll.
I really wanted to have fun but it is too crowded and frantic. The music is incredible! But it brings about 200,000 people into town. It becomes real unpleasant.
I can still dance very well and move more than just my fingers. I still Rock and Roll.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
18 Mar 12
And as long as you keep moving you will keep moving, and Rocking and Rolling. I know you are very active and enjoy an interesting life. I guess I was meaning that anyone who still feels the beat is not to old for rock and roll.
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
It is said, "use it or lose it". I think that pertains both to body and mind.
1 person likes this
@LaDeBoheme (2004)
• United States
18 Mar 12
I am 60 and work as a stagehand at an outdoor concert venue, so I literally live and work rock & roll. We local hands work with the roadies in loading in, setting up, and loading out the equipment. I've worked with Ozzy, Aerosmith, KISS, Judas Priest, the late great Dio, among others and most of these guys are older than I am! If they can keep doing it, so can I.
ROCK ON... forever!
1 person likes this
@LaDeBoheme (2004)
• United States
18 Mar 12
Nah, I missed the HBO thing, except for bits and pieces. I do watch concerts on VH1 Classic sometimes.
Unless I worked at them, there is no way I could afford to go to a live concert these days. Not only the price of the ticket, but there is all sorts of service charges and hidden fees added to the cost. Jeezus!
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
I know a lot of persons around my own age who still work in the music industry. Some are musicians. They appreciate us older fans. We grew up with them. We made them who they are.
Onward through the fog! (That is an Austin, Texas quote from Oat Willie's, a head shop)
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
By any chance, did you see HBO's 25th Anniversary Special for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Incredible concert. Many great musicians played over a two night period. Most were our age with a sprinkling of young ones.
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
25 Mar 12
You are never too old for listening to music, you like what you like and if you just stop cause you thin you're "tool old" then you stop living. My family often tries to tell me to stop doing this and that but I never listen to them, they are full of negative crap.
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
26 Mar 12
I don't think that I am too old for a lot of things including music. I am not about to go mountain climbing anytime soon but I can still shake my booty. I am 67 years old but look a few years younger. I look to be in my 50's but I still feel 17 and sometimes act it.
I am a free spirit and had to leave home at an early age. My family was very oppressive. Now, I am in senior housing and most of the other residents are very oppressive.
But some of them still like music. We have a wonderful organic supermarket behind us. They have live music several days a week. Some of the residents go over. Some get up and dance, really enjoying the music. It seems to relax them.
)
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
I am a folkie more than a rock and roller. But I like being introduced to all forms of music and to bands that I have never heard of. I like keeping up with things. It keeps me young!
@Celanith (2327)
• United States
19 Mar 12
I am 62 and as long as I can tap my feet, clap my hands I am not too old for Rock n Roll, Elvis the King of Rock in Roll if he were alive today I am sure would agree as do some of the other Rock n Roll groups of the 50's 60's and 70's who are also getting long in the tooth and have graying hair or balding heads and wrinkles but still put on a show here and there.
Even if chair bound I can shake my boody. If I can get up even if I am not as agile and spry as when younger I can wiggle my hips and yeah I can still get down and do the twist.
The limbo rock I would probably refrain from. Larger now in body with a few aches, pains and creaking knee and hip joints I might not be able to get up again but over all No I don't think if your able to snap, fingers, clap hands, or tap toes your too old for Rock n Roll or any other genre of music one might enjoy. I even love to sing a lot of the oldies with my Karaoke machine. There is still "A Whole lotta Shakin going on" I still love Rock n Roll.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
19 Mar 12
I still love music including some Rock n' Roll. In my younger day, I went out to clubs and other spots a lot -- almost nightly. I don't anymore but I miss it sometimes. I miss the scenes that I enjoyed in my younger days.
I do not miss the current situation of exorbitant concert prices. When I go by clubs and look in, they look so dirty and dark and depressing. They did not when I was young.
I can still move to music but I do it sitting down. Once I stood and moved, now I sit and move. It's all good.
And yes, many of the top Rock n Roll musicians are in our age groups. And they are still Rock and Rolling.
@tdemex (3540)
• United States
18 Mar 12
I grew up in Detroit, and was lucky. I'm64 now and got to see Joplin, Hendrix and a whole lot more. Not concert seating like now but in an old ballroom called the Grande....Best of all it was $3.50 to get in! I'm not to old and won't be til my final breath!!!!
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
Detroit. Was that Motown? You were exposed to some great music.
Yup, I remember when we just went out and heard music -- good music like it was meant to be heard. No light shows. No choreography. Just a musician or band and instruments uniting with the fans.
I saw Bruce Springsteen at The Armadillo World Headquarters for $2 in the mid 70's.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
18 Mar 12
I don't think there is ever a right age for love of music. Just because people age doesn't necessarily mean they should stop appreciating music. I'm sure the man was just teasing you, maybe even expecting that you answer back the same question 
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
I should have said back to him "What are you dong here? Aren't you a little too old?" I just did not even think of it.
I think that he was teasing. Music is forever and for all ages. It is something that hopefully brings people together. Music unites us!
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
19 Mar 12
I don't think that there should ever be a time when we are too old for rock and roll. Music is a driving force. if we say that are too old to enjoy it a particular genre of music, then we are cheating ourselves out of a wonderful experience along the way.1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
19 Mar 12
Music is a driving force. It moves people. It creates change -- some good and some may not be so good. Rock and Roll has changed the world.
I am enjoying hearing bands and musicians that are well known but not known to myself. I enjoyed that at SXSW. I went to showcases of well known musicians whom I had never even heard of. I did not always like their music but I loved being exposed to these persons. Now I know who Fun and Howler are. I even heard The Cult.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
Music that I enjoy really makes me feel more peaceful and sometimes even more spiritual. But if I do not like the music that I am listening to, I get stressed and cranky.
I try to keep up with what the younger people are listening to so that I remain younger even while I grow old. This festival gives me the opportunity to learn about new acts while enjoying some of the musicians I have been familiar with.
@davaome (1826)
• Philippines
20 Mar 12
You can never be too Old for Rock and Roll
As long as it's the music that you want to listen to, may it be classic, modern, heavy metal, as long as you like it.
[b]"Age is an issue of mind over matter".
If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”[/b]
have a nice day
As long as it's the music that you want to listen to, may it be classic, modern, heavy metal, as long as you like it.
[b]"Age is an issue of mind over matter".
If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”[/b]
have a nice day1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
26 Mar 12
I like what you posted. I think that music keeps people young. I may not like some bands, musicians and even genres but I do like keeping up with the younger set is listening to. It keeps the brain working. Use it or lose it. Right?
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
18 Mar 12
I don't walk like I used to. Same with dancing. But I can still hear and I can still love music. And I can still move to it.
@honest_efforts100 (1607)
• India
21 Jun 12
Hi, personally I think we are never too old to rock and roll. Here is what other people think
http://www.sodahead.com/entertainment/how-old-is-too-old-to-rock-and-roll/question-202570/?page=3
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
19 Jul 12
Thanks for the link. I guess other persons have asked the same question that I did. Even when we can not move like we used to, we still can move something. I guess that means we are never too hold to Rock and Roll.
You responded to my discussion on June 21st, the day that i was leaving on vacation. I have been back for two weeks but only noticed your response today when I was cleaning our my in box.
