Getting old

[anonymous-user]

Anyone seen a band 30+ years ago and seen them recently? See Jackson Browne at Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, previous time was 35 years ago to the day at Glastonbury in 1982, flippin eck from young hippies at Glasto in 82 to oap's at the RAH.
I'm getting old along with my favourite bands and artist.

[marcosgt]

Yeah, I can sympathise.

I've actually seen a lot of the bands I liked in my youth for the first time in more recent years.

I'm struggling to think of one I saw in '80s, who I've seen recently, though.

Last time I saw New Order at Brixton, I heard people saying "I've seen them for the last 30 years and that's the best they've ever been!". Whether that's nostalgia or true is hard to say, but they were very good on their most recent tour, being energised in a way that they hadn't the previous time (A couple of years earlier) I'd seen them.

I saw Heaven 17 a few years back and they were excellent and Rankin' Roger's "The Beat" are one of the most enjoyable live acts I've ever seen (my Daughter, now 24, said they were the best band she'd even seen!)

I suspect some bands are actually better than at their 'peak', but equally many are flogging a long dead horse.

I don't know much about Jackson Browne, except that I thought he was old 35 years ago!

M

[HOGEPH]

My favourite Jackson Brown song and showing what Glastonbury is all about.

https://youtu.be/QE8wTOJ1o70

[droopsnoot]

Yes, my first Stranglers gig was 1983, and I've seen them earlier this year (and most years in between). Towards the end of the "Mk 1" era before Hugh Cornwell left they were starting to be slower gigs, but some of that was because they were playing slower, less aggressive music. Even while Jet Black was still playing live drums with the latest line-up they were still very energetic gigs, and I think now probably a little more so. General live reviews are very good, audience is mainly people who've grown up (well, grown old) with them but there's an increasing number of younger people in the audience now.

[S7Paul]

Quite a few, now that I think about it:

First saw Roy Wood (with Wizzard) in 1973; saw him again late last year. One of our unsung musical heroes, IMO.
First saw Hawkwind in early 1975; saw them again last month (and many times in between).
First saw Motorhead in around 1977, supporting Hawkwind. Last saw them (I think) 2012, for the 17th time.
First saw Sabbath on their 10th Anniversary World Tour (with Van Halen supporting), which would have been around 78/79; didn't see them again until the Reunion show in 1997, and have seen them on every opportunity since, culminating at the O2 on The End tour.
First saw AC/DC around 1981, and then again much more recently on the Black Ice world tour.

Sadly, won't be seeing Motorhead or Sabbath again, and will probably choose not to see what's left of AC/DC again.

Yep, we're all getting older......

[BIRMA]

S7Paul said:

Quite a few, now that I think about it:

First saw Roy Wood (with Wizzard) in 1973; saw him again late last year. One of our unsung musical heroes, IMO.
First saw Hawkwind in early 1975; saw them again last month (and many times in between).
First saw Motorhead in around 1977, supporting Hawkwind. Last saw them (I think) 2012, for the 17th time.
First saw Sabbath on their 10th Anniversary World Tour (with Van Halen supporting), which would have been around 78/79; didn't see them again until the Reunion show in 1997, and have seen them on every opportunity since, culminating at the O2 on The End tour.
First saw AC/DC around 1981, and then again much more recently on the Black Ice world tour.

Sadly, won't be seeing Motorhead or Sabbath again, and will probably choose not to see what's left of AC/DC again.

Yep, we're all getting older......

Me too, I went to the first or second Glastonbury to see my heroes Hawkwind. If I remember rightly it was free or at least I didn't pay to get in. Also went to the first few Isle of Wight festivals saw Jefferson Airplane, Pretty Things. At about the same time saw Slade when they were a skinhead band and played violin Thin Lizzie were supporting them at Fareham Community hall for about two shillings.
How time has flown.

[popeyewhite]

Carrying on with the rock theme...

Ditto Hawkwind,Sabbath and Motorhead. Seen them all in the last 2 years having first seen them in the late 70s/early eighties. Especially happy to see Dio with Sabbath. (As an aside I saw Rainbow recently, they were weirdly like a Rainbow tribute band led by Ritchie Blackmore).

Saw Iron Maiden, they still weren't very good thirty years later. Kudos to Bruce Dickinson singing again after oral cancer though. Jethro Tull - Ian Anderson's voice was terrible - again after medical issues. Status Quo: Saw them first in 70 something, then saw the original line again up 3 years ago at the Apollo. They were absolutely brilliant. No keyboard, just the whole Quo Live! set. Seen Deep Purple many times over the years, the last time again at the Apollo (not seen any brilliant gigs at the stadia), and again they were utterly brilliant. Fantastic bluesy set. Gillan on form. Umm a few others..mmm..Crosby, Stills and Nash, Bad company, UFO (brilliant).

One thing I've noticed that they all have in common is tremendous enthusiasm and love for being on stage (maybe not Blackmore), but not all singers have kept their voices!

[anonymous-user]

Does anyone agree that even though the band might be performing better than they did 35 years ago it takes the dairy off it a bit when the audience (me included) are quite ancient?
Someone mentioned Bad Co who I was lucky enough to see 15 or so years ago but to me it needed to be 1979, long hair and Levis to really make the gig 100%. I suppose Zeppelin at Knebworth 79 ticks everything! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV7i7eaQtmU

[S7Paul]

Wow, how could I forget UFO; first seen '79, last seen 2013 (and still very good). And related to that, Michael Schenker; 1st 1983, last 2015. I'd also overlooked Metallica, first seen 1985, way down the Monsters of Rock bill (ZZ Top headlining), and most recently seen just over 6 weeks ago.

What am I going to do when all these oldies retire? Very few of the current bands really measure up against the old guys (IMHO).

[mikal83]

Buster Bloodvessel was a blast at the Cornwall Coliseum in.........oooooooooh 1981 maybe. Love to see him can can for 10 minutes now!

[RegMolehusband]

I first saw ELO in the Wolverhampton Civic Hall in about 1976, and again last weekend at Wembley. The light show and sound have come on a bit.

[Black can man]

I saw AC/DC & Black Sabbath at the old Hammersmith Odeon & Motorhead at Reading.

AC/DC i'd say are the beat band i've ever seen , Bonn Scott n all .This would have been 1979.

Getting old really fking sucks , At least Angus young is still rocking like a teenager & good luck to him....Superstar.

[DocJH]

Saw Rainbow in Birmingham last night, 38 years on from when I first saw them. RB clearly can't play like he could in his prime but it was great to hear some of my favourite songs live and loud. Enjoyed it.

[Skyedriver]

First Gig: about 1968/9 4 acts in one show at the City Hall Newcastle
Savoy Brown
Chickenshack (with Christine McVie then Christine Perfect)
Tyrannosaurus Rex (Marc Bolan and Steve Perigrine Took)
The Nice (with Keith Emerson throwing daggers every where )

Since then include in no particular order
Colloseum (twice)
Jethro Tull (twice)
Roxy Music
Gerry Rafferty
Chris Rea (umpteen times and again in November this year)
Steve Harley a few times and Cockney Rebel
Jools Holland
Prefac Sprout
Mike Harding
Van Morrison
Bill Wyman
Peatbog Faeries
Mark Knopfler - couldn't hear a word he mumbled
Texas
Lionel Richie (he was an hour and a half late on stage at the Arena (took wife - not impressed
Albert Lee a few times
Robert Cray
Steve Earle
Barbara Dixon solo and much better than I was expecting (wifes favourite)
Russell Watson (took the wife)
Transatlantic Sessions
Waterboys (and again in October)
Runrig
KT Tunstall (Skye Festival)
Glennn Tilbrook (solo at the Gaelic College)
Amy Macdonald
and Most recently someone I have wanted to see for years : Jackson Browne at the Sage.

Best gigs: Waterboys, Runrig,
Best Musical Quality : Jackson Browne and if my memory serves me: Colloseum, Transatlantic Sessions
Best stage performance Tull
Stunning Guitar work Albert Lee both with Hogan Heroes and solo and all round master Chris Rea
Biggest disappointments: Van Morrison (with Chris Farlowe) and Robert Cray just because his encore was a bit slow and more of a protest song. Also Texas - was at the Arena say no more
And probably the ones I forget

I'm 64 now and my hearing is failing

Edited by Skyedriver on Thursday 29th June 20:55

[anonymous-user]

DocJH said:

Saw Rainbow in Birmingham last night, 38 years on from when I first saw them. RB clearly can't play like he could in his prime but it was great to hear some of my favourite songs live and loud. Enjoyed it.

Blimey that takes me back, an old flame use to play Rainbow On Stage all the time.

[paulguitar]

I saw Billy Joel at the NEC in 1989 and again last month at Madison Square Garden. He’s 68 now, voice remarkably intact and still colossal stage presence. He does the MSG shows once per month, commutes from his Long Island home by helicopter and clears about $1.5M per gig, apparently……..

[BIRMA]

Skyedriver said:

First Gig: about 1968/9 4 acts in one show at the City Hall Newcastle
Savoy Brown
Chickenshack (with Christine McVie then Christine Perfect)
Tyrannosaurus Rex (Marc Bolan and Steve Perigrine Took)
The Nice (with Keith Emerson throwing daggers every where )

Since then include in no particular order
Colloseum (twice)
Jethro Tull (twice)
Roxy Music
Gerry Rafferty
Chris Rea (umpteen times and again in November this year)
Steve Harley a few times and Cockney Rebel
Jools Holland
Prefac Sprout
Mike Harding
Van Morrison
Bill Wyman
Peatbog Faeries
Mark Knopfler - couldn't hear a word he mumbled
Texas
Lionel Richie (he was an hour and a half late on stage at the Arena (took wife - not impressed
Albert Lee a few times
Robert Cray
Steve Earle
Barbara Dixon solo and much better than I was expecting (wifes favourite)
Russell Watson (took the wife)
Transatlantic Sessions
Waterboys (and again in October)
Runrig
KT Tunstall (Skye Festival)
Glennn Tilbrook (solo at the Gaelic College)
Amy Macdonald
and Most recently someone I have wanted to see for years : Jackson Browne at the Sage.

Best gigs: Waterboys, Runrig,
Best Musical Quality : Jackson Browne and if my memory serves me: Colloseum, Transatlantic Sessions
Best stage performance Tull
Stunning Guitar work Albert Lee both with Hogan Heroes and solo and all round master Chris Rea
Biggest disappointments: Van Morrison (with Chris Farlowe) and Robert Cray just because his encore was a bit slow and more of a protest song. Also Texas - was at the Arena say no more
And probably the ones I forget

I'm 64 now and my hearing is failing

Edited by Skyedriver on Thursday 29th June 20:55

Brilliant saw the first lot too. At one time Island records artists did tours So you would see Traffic, Nice and Spooky Tooth all in one gig, good value for money I'd say.

[DocJH]

Also saw Kiss a couple of weeks ago for the first time since 1988. More about the show than the music but I really enjoyed it. Paul Stanley's voice is definitely shot now.

[lockhart flawse]

I saw Yes in 1975 and again in 2015. Those that remain look a whole lot older but they dont look as bad as the likes of Maiden and Def Leppard who still wear the same clothes they wore at 35 years ago.

[anonymous-user]

Skyedriver said:

First Gig: about 1968/9 4 acts in one show at the City Hall Newcastle
Savoy Brown
Chickenshack (with Christine McVie then Christine Perfect)
Tyrannosaurus Rex (Marc Bolan and Steve Perigrine Took)
The Nice (with Keith Emerson throwing daggers every where )

Since then include in no particular order
Colloseum (twice)
Jethro Tull (twice)
Roxy Music
Gerry Rafferty
Chris Rea (umpteen times and again in November this year)
Steve Harley a few times and Cockney Rebel
Jools Holland
Prefac Sprout
Mike Harding
Van Morrison
Bill Wyman
Peatbog Faeries
Mark Knopfler - couldn't hear a word he mumbled
Texas
Lionel Richie (he was an hour and a half late on stage at the Arena (took wife - not impressed
Albert Lee a few times
Robert Cray
Steve Earle
Barbara Dixon solo and much better than I was expecting (wifes favourite)
Russell Watson (took the wife)
Transatlantic Sessions
Waterboys (and again in October)
Runrig
KT Tunstall (Skye Festival)
Glennn Tilbrook (solo at the Gaelic College)
Amy Macdonald
and Most recently someone I have wanted to see for years : Jackson Browne at the Sage.

Best gigs: Waterboys, Runrig,
Best Musical Quality : Jackson Browne and if my memory serves me: Colloseum, Transatlantic Sessions
Best stage performance Tull
Stunning Guitar work Albert Lee both with Hogan Heroes and solo and all round master Chris Rea
Biggest disappointments: Van Morrison (with Chris Farlowe) and Robert Cray just because his encore was a bit slow and more of a protest song. Also Texas - was at the Arena say no more
And probably the ones I forget

I'm 64 now and my hearing is failing

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 29th June 20:55

Van Morrison at Glastonbury 82 then at Audley End in 2011(?) at Audley End it was full of OK YARS which don't make for an entertaing gig.