5 Rockstars You Didn’t Know Who Were 70 Years Old
70 and Over But Still Rockin’ It
Whoever said “septuagenarian” and “rock ‘n roll” don’t belong in the same sentence can just go away because these old-timers prove that your age is just a number especially when it comes to filling stadiums and performing live.
Around fifty or so years ago, they were young and wild and free. Nowadays, they’re just free. LOL, just kidding. You see, it still feels like yesterday when they were at their prime. But time didn’t slow them down. Sure, some of them may be down to a few gigs per year but, they’re still living the rockstar life.
P.S. We excluded Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards here. Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock knows they’re over 70. Ha.
5. Brian Wilson
Age: 75 years old
The leader of The Beach Boys embarked on a Pet Sounds 2017 World Tour and fans can’t stop gushing about it. He recently finished his European Tour and The Guardian’s Kitty Empire reviewed his performance and she wrote, “Most importantly, though, this frail legend reading from a teleprompter still seems game to witness his bittersweet, elegiac album being adored 51 years on.” She even referred to him as “still surf pop’s Golden Boy.”
“We’re performing more shows than ever before and the fans keep asking for more! It’s been a real trip so far and I’m happy that we’ll have the chance to reach so many people that weren’t able to catch our shows last year.” – Brian Wilson
He’s always been known as an innovator and trend-setter. He didn’t follow anyone’s path and instead created his own. With a career spanning more than five decades, Brian Wilson still has it!
4. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
Age: Both are 75 years old
While some of our favorite classic rock artists are reuniting or embarking on farewell tours, Simon and Garfunkel fans know it’s too much to hope for any possibility of a reunion, let alone reconciliation from the duo. If you want to see them on stage, you’re going to have to settle for separate concerts – Simon’s summer tour dates ended last June 28 while Garfunkel will hit the road until April 21 next year.
“Can you believe I’m still doing this? Well, I’ll tell you why I am. It’s because singing is an addiction.” – Art Garfunkel
These folk rock legends gave us epic musical masterpieces – from Mrs. Robinson and Bridge Over Troubled Water to The Sound of Silence. Younger musicians may have kickass covers but nothing will ever come close to the original.
And the fact that they’re 75 and still killing it onstage, that’s proof that you’re never too old to rock.
3. Phil Lesh
Age: 77 years old
Grateful Dead’s bassist and founding member, Phil Lesh still continues to tour with his backing group The Terrapin Family Band. In fact, fans in the Bay Area received an early Christmas present when during Phil’s most recent show in the area, Bob Weir joined him on stage. It was definitely a night to remember.
“And the purpose of music is the same as it’s always been: to bring enlightenment to sentient beings. Beethoven said, “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.”” – Phil Lesh
His side project is officially called Phil Lesh and Friends wherein they play some of Grateful Dead’s biggest and most loved hits. He even founded a music venue called Terrapin Crossroads located in in San Rafael, California. And can we just add, Phil’s looking really good. We can only wish to be half as cool as him when we reach that age!
2. Van Morrison
Age: 71 years old
“Van the Man” began his musical career back when he was just a teenager. Fast forward to more than five decades later, he proves he’s still well-loved by fans since some of his tour dates are already sold out! Every time he steps on stage, he always makes sure to meet the crowd’s expectations and more often than not, exceed them in the process.
Last July, aside from announcing his tour dates, he also gave us another thing to look forward to – his 37th studio album “Roll With The Punches” which will come out on September 22!
“The songs on Roll With the Punches– whether I’ve written them or not – they’re performance oriented. Each song is like a story and I’m performing that story. That’s been forgotten over years because people over-analyze things. I was a performer before I started writing songs, and I’ve always felt like that’s what I do.” – Van Morrison
It’s still not too late to buy tickets for his shows!
1. Iggy Pop
Age: 70 years old
Iggy Pop is the grandpa we all wish we had, second to Steven Tyler. He’s wild, cool and crazy in a good way. And at 70, he proves why today’s musicians can’t hold a candle to him.
On October last year, he released the double live album Post Pop Depression: Live At The Royal Albert Hall and he’s currently on tour until November 10.
“I don’t expect to use the album form anytime soon, but I hope I can do some singing or talking or writing that appeals to me. I just want to continue working and reacting to the world around me and enjoying bearing witness to this beautiful Earth. I like the outdoors very much. And I hope to be of use to the people that depend on me.” – Iggy Pop on what he hopes to accomplish in his ‘70s via interview with The Rolling Stone magazine
Oh and by the way, just because he’s 70 doesn’t mean he’ll stop appearing shirtless in public. And he wants everyone to know he doesn’t care.
