The Old Ones are Still the Good Ones!
@Sandra1952 (6047)
Spain
June 29, 2009 3:05am CST
Yesterday, we were at a friend's house when coverage of the Glastonbury festival came on tv. It's not something we'd normally go out of our way to watch, but Tom Jones and Status Quo came on, and we settled down to enjoy. Tom Jones was fantastic - full of energy, and his voice is still strong. We were all singing and dancing along with the festival goers. Not bad for a man who will be 70 next year, and The Quo are either approaching pensionable age or already there. They were also brilliant.
It amazed me that these oldies are still touring and still full of energy and giving great performances, yet so many of todays so-called stars withdraw from gigs with 'exhaustion.' Why is that? Are the pressures greater to day, or are the stars of the '60's and '70's made of sterner stuff? I think it's the latter; older performers were bought up on the maxim 'the show must go on.' What do you think?
4 responses
@thedailyclick (3017)
•
6 Aug 09
There is definitely nothing like an oldie. Give me Status Quo any day of the week rather than modern music.
I think you are partly right when you say that the older performers were bought up knowing that the show must go on. But I also think there are a couple more reasons why the older performers tend not to cancel gigs.
Firstly I would say because there primary reason for performing is because they enjoy it and get a buzz from hearing the crowd go wild. Most of these older performers must be quite well set up for life financially so it must be pure love for what they do. Where as I would say the younger generation are not so much in it because they enjoy it but because they see it as a way of getting rich.
The other thing I would say is that the older generation no doubt were bought up with a strong work ethic and so understand that you can’t expect to be handed wealth for basically doing the minimum. Where as I believe a lot of younger performers do not have that work ethic and some have fallen into a career in music as it seems easy.
1 person likes this
@thedailyclick (3017)
•
6 Aug 09
Hi stalker, I mean Thea 
I like a bit of Leonard Cohen now and then although I couldn't listen to a whole album in one go. But that's the same for most artists as I can't listen to too much of the same thing without getting a little bored.
I like a bit of Leonard Cohen now and then although I couldn't listen to a whole album in one go. But that's the same for most artists as I can't listen to too much of the same thing without getting a little bored.@thedailyclick (3017)
•
7 Aug 09
Yep, Thea's stalking me too. I actually think she is in denial as she says others are stalking her but I am sure it's the other way round and she's just trying to divert the attention, lol.
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
23 Jul 09
Morning Sandra, I have no choice but to agree as I don't think any new music has actually registered with me since about the 80's. Give me Bryan Ferry over a boy band of adolescents any day. I still love Frank Sinatra and he certainly kept going well. Even with the Greek music I've developed a real love of the old singers from around the 40's and 50's as the music is so compelling and I had a fantastic introduction to the old songs and laments by a friend who knew his old Greek music, and the history of the artists, really well. If you ever come across a Greek singer by the name of Kokotas it is bliss.
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
23 Jul 09
They certainly don't make 'em like they used to, do they? I'll look out for that singer.
@meapas (2436)
• India
29 Jun 09
Yes you are right. Oldies are goodies. Today the show must go on. Todays youngsters are tomorrows oldies and tomorrow they will say the show will go on and the oldies are better. This way the world goes on and on and on blaming todays and praising yesterdays. A real generation gap.
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
22 Jul 09
I don't think that's strictly true. Many of today's 'stars' will not be around in 40 years, because they burn themselves out. It's nothing to do with generation gap, more to do with excesses.
@allisonbrk (155)
• United States
29 Jun 09
I will admit, I have no idea who that is is. :-( BUT I do love going to oldies cover shows and singing along to the classics just as much as dancing to rap and hip hop at the club... if not more... :-)
