Saturday, December 5, 2009

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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From the Community…

Comments 31-37 of 37
  • Angel Morbid's Avatar
    Posted by Angel Morbid Mon Mar 2, 2009 11:09pm PST

    God, if the only thing you're concerned about is their looks/age, then maybe you should stay away from rock and similar genres. It truly isn't supposed to be about how old they are or what they look like. If you're going to be yapping about looks then maybe you should go whine about that in a post about pop or some crap like that.

    oh PS, Madonna does not count as a rocker (she's just a tired, washed up pop act), people are throwing that label and sticking it to people like it was going out of style these days.

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  • Anise's Avatar
    Posted by Anise Mon Mar 2, 2009 11:55pm PST

    I'D VOLUTEER TO GIVE ROBERT SMITH A NEW IMAGE FOR HIS "THE CURE" RETURN....CALL ME.....

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  • craftyladyinor's Avatar
    Posted by craftyladyinor Tue Mar 3, 2009 12:13am PST

    YES, YES, YES, AND YES

    !!!!!!

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  • itslilolme's Avatar
    Posted by itslilolme Tue Mar 3, 2009 3:32am PST

    When you're young, cool, trendy, etc., you can pull off looks that on anyone else would look stupid. (Madonna, Axl Rose, Robert Smith are just a few examples).When these celebs start to age, you start to see the look that you once thought was trendy for what it really is - stupid. It's not age on the part of the musicians/performers, it's maturity on part of the fans. Note to Bono: ditch the tinted shades, dude. Cool once, but we all outgrew it.

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  • Carl's Avatar
    Posted by Carl Tue Mar 3, 2009 4:24am PST

    The answer is no. If they still can pack venues and make hit records, why bar them from doing the only thing they are good at? I'm in my 30's and I still like Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Sting, Earth, Wind and Fire and a host of other performers from my mother's generation.

    http://www.eloquentbooks.com/TheRingOfKnowledge.html

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  • Renae's Avatar
    Posted by Renae Tue Mar 3, 2009 4:32am PST

    I have one comment to Brett Micheals and his Rock of Love Show.... GROW UP! Come on this guy is older than I am and he is still wearing makeup. He is still trying to act like he is in his 20's. He is almost 50 and is trying to get a woman half his age. That is sickening.

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  • Falisha's Avatar
    Posted by Falisha Tue Apr 7, 2009 11:00am PDT

    I think madonna is way to old to be on stage with a brittney spears outfit on and opening her legs as far as they can go. i dont mind an artist doing what they love just do it with taste and class especially if your'e that old people like seeing the fresh young people do that not old hags. act your age.

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