Do aging rockers need to pack it in?

Jim Dyson/Getty Images

Jim Dyson/Getty Images

Rob Loud/Getty Images

Rob Loud/Getty Images

Growing up, I remember being a little embarrassed at some of the young looking outfits my mother would wear. She dressed cooler than the other moms and looked much younger than the other moms and was much younger-minded than the other moms, but a good part of me just wished she was like everyone else. Of course, now that I'm an adult, I realize the freedom of being able to dress the way you want and be whoever you want to be is an important and awesome liberty I'm grateful both my mother and I have. (I'm not mad about having her good genes either.)

When I saw this this picture of The Cure's Robert Smith the other day, my first thought was, "Ugh, this guy really needs to put away the makeup and give up the act. He's too old!" My mind turned to another aging rocker back on the scene this year, Axl Rose from Guns N' Roses, whose career at this point in time seems futile. But look at this picture of Blondie's Debbie Harry taken one month ago. Sure, the outfit may be pushing it, but the woman has still got it! She looks great and loves performing, so who are we to tell her when to quit?

U2 remains one of the top touring bands in the world, and no one thinks they should stop. Rock legend Bruce Springsteen was requested to perform at the Super Bowl this year. But what about the Rolling Stones? Audiences are split on saying they're way too ancient to be singing about sex and drugs, but as classic rockers who not only lived but basically created that lifestyle, no one can stop the endlessly energetic Mick Jagger from jumping around on stage several decades later. As for Madonna, is her ever-changing trendy pop status growing weaker if she can still put out solid hits with contemporaries like Justin Timberlake?

Do you ever feel like certain rock stars have grown to old to keep doing what they're doing? If so, which ones? Do you think if they enjoy putting out music and performing they should keep going until they no longer can?
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Comments 1-10 of 37
  • HappyHouse's Avatar
    Posted by HappyHouse Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:10pm PST

    Someone needs to stop REO Speedwagon and STYX now!!!

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  • monkeypoo's Avatar
    Posted by monkeypoo Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:16pm PST

    thats a very loaded question. on the one hand you want people to be free to express themselves however they want, but at the same time occasionally you really just dont want to see what people are showing!

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  • Apple's Avatar
    Posted by Apple Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:50pm PST

    My mom was the same way but she was 20 when she had me so, she was still a baby trying to parent me. I was 18 when I had my first, 29 now and I'm sure there are times and will be times when she wishes I would dress or act older than I do. Though she gets mad when we go see shows and she can't go because I'm not ready for her to be around some of the people and stuff that happens at concets because we all know, or should know that it's not all kid friendly, if you know what I mean. Debbie Harry is rockin in that outfit. I'm not sure if there is one band I think needs to put it down... though Aerosmith about drove me crazy for awhile. Enough... We all follow certain music adventures and I think we would be sad and maybe think we were too old if our loves, our musicians, hung it up. So no. You have one life and you better live it to the fullest because you never know when death is going to come knocking on your door. Rock On- In whatever you do!!

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  • Samx's Avatar
    Posted by Samx Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:58pm PST

    I buy music for the sound not the look.

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  • fools_and_sages's Avatar
    Posted by fools_and_sages Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:17pm PST

    Robert Smith looks like Tim Curry in Rocky Horror in that pic. And Debbie Harry has to have had some work done recently. Look at pix of her from a couple years ago and she was looking her age . .and then some

    Honestly, there is nothing wrong with music stars touring as long as they can. The thing they need to consider, however, is whether they can carry off the looks that made them famous years ago. There is nothing wrong with playing your music. . .but there is something wrong with trying to look the same as you did back then if you're not willing to put in the exercise and/or the cash to look like you did 20 years (or more) ago. Tina Turner recently toured and she was looking every bit as good as she did in the 80s. . and the women is 70!!

    And REO Speedwagon sounds just as good now as they ever did and at least the band consists of the original members. Styx needs to hang it up because that band has about 2 of the original members in it today. If bands can't get 4 out of 5 of their original members back, they shouldn't come back. And REO has the sense not to try to lookthe part of 80s ragamuffins. They look like somebody's dad (or grand-dad)-- but they probably are. . .and they wear it proudly!

    And I cannot WAIT to see Springsteen in a couple months. I wanted to see him when I was 14 (in 1984) but I couldn't afford the tickets and my mom wouldn't have let me go anyways. In fact, over the last 5 years, I have seen a bunch of 80's icon bands and performers I couldn't see when I was a kid.

    So older artists touring is AWESOME for those of us who loved them way back when but couldn't go for one reason or another. These artists just need to realize they aren't 20 or 30 anymore and they might not be able to pull off their old looks.

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  • Cranberry Lips's Avatar
    Posted by Cranberry Lips Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:46pm PST

    The reason old rockers are still rocking is because the new "rockers" and their "music" don't stand a chance. It's the truth. Why do you think so many young kids love Pink Floyd, Queen, the Stones, U2, etc., rather than just sticking to Nickelback, Fall Out Boy, Hinder, etc?

    Most rock artists today don't even write their own songs and are no better than living advertisements for various companies.

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  • peter s's Avatar
    Posted by peter s Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:24pm PST

    there is a simple solution - if you think a band or performer is too old then don't listen or buy their stuff...if enough people do that then they will stop...I personally don't care what people look like - if they can rock/jam/sing then that's enough...look at David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, he is getting up there in years but as long as he still plays guitar better than most I will keep buying his music.

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  • Johnny's Avatar
    Posted by Johnny Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:12pm PST

    As a dee-jay,I say as long as any artist is putting out QUALITY music,whether you are a young person or 100 years old,and have the energy to do it,KEEP ROCKIN'!!!

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  • Helen (Kelly)'s Avatar
    Posted by Helen (Kelly) Sat Feb 28, 2009 1:35pm PST

    Kelly

    I think "Brett Michaels"should at least give up on his "Rock of Love" reality show.

    Each season becomes more crude, This is'nt High school,and I doubt theres anyone with enough class or brains (Or self respect for themselves) that would be appropriate to meet his children.

    He humiliates the woman,they degrade themselves and he's just thinking with his penis.

    As I said before,"Ambre" was the one that impressed me the most.

    Brett's ego is probably larger than some of the womans artificial breasts, it's unreal.

    And the biggest thing the show lacks is any class,just like some of the so-called beauties.

    But his show is my guilty pleasure,everyone needs a good laugh now and then,and my jaw has dropped a few times.

    Sorry Brett,but you need to grow up,

    I guess your a "Babe" in "Toyland"

    Enjoy yourself while you can,but get realistic,get rid of the"Stripper Barbies"

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  • kent g's Avatar
    Posted by kent g Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:57pm PST

    As long as it is quality music and performance.why not..

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