“I’d rather be dead than sing Satisfaction when I’m 45,” Mick Jagger claimed in a 1976 interview. The Rolling Stones frontman, a wise old 33 at the time, could hardly have predicted he would still be singing his most instantly recognisable hit at the age of 70, to an ever-growing all-ages audiences. But that is precisely what he will do on Friday when the Stones bring their mammoth 14 on Fire tour to Yas Island.
Jagger remains freakishly fit and dynamic for a man of 70, but he is not alone in rocking long past most people’s retirement age. Like his fellow 1960s survivors Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tom Jones and Tina Turner, he has chosen to keep working long into his eighth decade. Not far behind are a slightly younger cohort of rocking senior citizens, now in their mid to late 60s but still in the game. These include David Bowie, Neil Young, Elton John, Debbie Harry, Iggy Pop, Bobby Womack, Patti Smith, Roger Waters and Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath, who play Yas Island on May 29.
What unites these resilient icons is their apparently indestructible longevity, remaining relevant and popular while younger generations of pop superstars crash and burn. All are still touring, many playing the biggest and best shows of their career. Some, like Bowie and Black Sabbath, are still topping album charts. This boom in grandparent rockers has been partly fuelled by internet music clips and file-sharing, which largely erased the musical generation gap that once existed between adults and teenagers, exposing even ancient artists to a young and curious global fan base.
More pragmatically, shrinking royalties from declining album sales has also been a factor, with every last 1960s rock survivor going back on tour, since live work is now a more reliable income stream. The most lucrative rock tours of the past 20 years have been dominated by oldies such as the Stones, The Eagles and Pink Floyd, beating ambitious young pretenders such as Madonna and U2.
Old rockers never die, it seems; they just keep coming back for one last encore as long as the crowd keeps shouting for them. Neither burning out nor fading away, here are 10 old masters of rock coming to an arena near you, soon.
The Rolling Stones
Still a hugely exciting live act after more than 50 years together, the original bad-boy aristocrats of Britrock continue to break box-office records with their hit-packed, stadium-sized mega-shows. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are both 70, and the drummer Charlie Watts is 72.
Bob Dylan
Far from mellowing in his autumn years, the 71-year-old folk-rock legend remains a formidable force in modern American culture, releasing numerous archive anthologies alongside his official albums, publishing several books and still drawing huge crowds with his aptly named Never Ending Tour. In 2012, Dylan released his high-charting Tempest album and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama.
Paul McCartney
The perennially boyish ex-Beatle turned 70 last year, telling Rolling Stone magazine: “There’s a little cell on my body that’s never going to believe that.” But McCartney shows no sign of slowing down, from his triumphant appearance at the closing ceremony of the London Olympics to his latest album, New, recorded with several hip young collaborators.
Black Sabbath
Led by Ozzy Osbourne and the guitarist Tony Iommi, both 65, the founding fathers of heavy metal reunited last year for their first album together in more than 30 years. Produced by Rick Rubin, 13 became the band’s first UK No 1 since 1970 and their first US chart-topper, attracting a new all-ages audience to their spectacular live shows.
Tina Turner
Having sold more than 100 million albums, the queen of rock 'n' soul has been fairly quiet since her 50th anniversary tour became a smash success in 2009. But the 74-year-old has a new compilation album out this month, Love Songs, plus all-new recordings in the pipeline. Last year, she became the oldest ever cover star of Vogue magazine.
David Bowie
In a masterstroke of anti-marketing, Bowie emerged from a decade-long silence last March with a surprise new album, the million-selling international chart-topper The Next Day. Despite shunning interviews and concerts, the 67-year-old art-rock godfather cast a huge shadow last year when a major London museum show about his work became a blockbusting sell-out. It is now touring the world.
Leonard Cohen
Forced out of semi-retirement in 2008 to replace savings stolen by his former manager, the 79-year-old Canadian crooner is currently enjoying one of the most remarkable third-act comebacks in musical history. His 2012 album Old Ideas was a masterpiece while his current live shows are the biggest and best of his career.
Fleetwod Mac
After decades of bitter feuds, these Anglo-American rockers reformed their 1970s line-up to tour again last year. The 70-year-old Christine McVie has now rejoined her 68-year-old ex-husband John McVie and the 66-year-old drummer Mick Fleetwood. Their comeback was partly triggered by their 1977 album Rumours featuring in the TV show Glee.
Kraftwerk
Germany’s robot professors have inspired generations of artists from David Bowie to U2, Björk and Daft Punk. With 67-year-old Ralf Hutter as their last original founding member, the band are currently playing to their largest audiences ever with their dazzling 3-D live shows. In January, they picked up a Grammy award for Lifetime Achievement.
The Who
"I hope I die before I get old," sang Roger Daltry back in 1965 on The Who's My Generation. Daltry turns 70 next month but still plays huge arenas with the hearing-impaired 68-year-old who wrote those words, the guitarist Pete Townshend. The surviving Who members recently announced plans for a farewell tour in 2015.
Five young stars with long-term potential
Jake Bugg
The teenage English guitar balladeer whose classic folk-rock sound has seen him hailed as the heir to Liam Gallagher and Alex Turner.
Chance the Rapper
A Chicago-based 20-year-old with a mellow, melodic rap delivery who has already worked with Justin Bieber.
Kelela
Slinky smooth, experimental electro-soul from the 30-year-old Washington DC singer with a timeless R&B voice.
Sam Smith
Versatile, soulful 21-year-old English vocalist who guested on several smash-hit singles last year and recently topped the BBC’s Sound of 2014 poll.
Katy B
A flame-haired 24-year-old Londoner with a string of hit dance-pop singles and a hotly anticipated new album due out this year.
[ artslife@thenational.ae ]
