Society today is not so accepting of its older generations. Senior citizens are criticized for being behind on all the latest technologies and trends. The elderly tend to walk slower, speak more old-fashioned, and seem to never know how to use a television remote control — but what about older rock stars?
Our beloved music legends seemingly get a pass on this universal disliking of the aged. We roll our eyes at ordinary old people, but we still rock out to the older artists that are still prominent in the music industry today.
Perhaps the prime example of the old guy rockers, 70-year-old Bob Dylan kicked off his 2011 tour last April in Taiwan. Although his aged body couldn’t quite groove to the sounds, he still managed to put on a decent show with his harmonica and keyboard. Dylan is still touring the world this summer despite his age. Dylan isn’t necessarily known for putting on a rousing live event as much as he is known for his influence in the music industry. Seeing a Bob Dylan show isn’t exactly a phenomenal spectacle, but to witness a legend perform his work is.
Irish rock group U2 began their North American tour on May 21st in Denver, Colo. Lead singer and rock icon, Bono, celebrated his 51st birthday on May 10, 2011. At this age, Bono and the rest of U2 are still putting on sold out shows around the world. Debatably one of the best bands in rock history, U2 still put on extraordinary performances to audiences of every age.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are set to release their tenth album this Tuesday, August 30th. Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in 1983 with original members Anthony Kiedis, Hillel Slovak, Flea, and Jack Irons, back when they were rowdy high school students at Fairfax High in Hollywood. “I’m With You” will be the band’s first album in 15 years not featuring lead guitarist John Fusciante. At age 48, frontman Anthony Kiedis is still writing, playing and performing music in new, creative ways. The group has influenced many artists over the past few decades, and the fact that they are continuing their career after nearly 30 years in the industry marks them as one of the most influential American bands of all time.
Perhaps the most outrageous example of old geezers still making noise is that of the collaboration of Lou Reed and Metallica. Though it is hard to believe, these iconic artists are coming together to release an album of epic proportions. Rock ‘n’ roll hero and native New Yorker, Lou Reed, will combine his genius with that of the thrash-rock super group that is Metallica. Both Reed and Metallica have grown old, so old, in fact, that neither of them even have a contract with a record label anymore. There may be more sheer curiosity for this album than anticipation, but the real question is, “Will these old men actually pull off a unique sound?”
At the end of the day, it all boils down to the music. Despite the increasing ages of each group, these artists are still doing what they love to do. Their voices may be a tad worn out, their songs older than the average college student, and their fingers decrepit from endless guitar picking, but they are all still making the sounds we love to hear. It may not be a high-energy concert anymore, but it is their music and genius that keeps these artists forever young.
Reach the reporter at jocelyn.gee@asu.edu
