Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Midchuck
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 09:18 AM

Genie said:

I can't count people like Joan Baez, Paul McCartney, and Barbra Streisand as "old," since they're all approximately my age.

Me too. I'm actually in between Joanie and Mr. Zimmerman.

Scary thing is, Muhammed Ali is the same age as all of us - in years, anyway.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Genie
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 01:59 AM

I can't count people like Joan Baez, Paul McCartney, and Barbra Streisand as "old," since they're all approximately my age.   ;D

But a few who are at least a few (5 to 15) years older than I and still going strong are Miriam Makeba, Leondard Cohen, Eartha Kitt, Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne (I think Lena's still singing).   Of course, Chet Atkins kept on playing that guitar (amazingly) right up to the end, and wasn't he about 80 when he went to join that angel band?

Wasn't Marijohn Wilkinson (sp?) over 80 when she passed away, not long ago, and wasn't she still active in music till then?

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Folkie101
Date: 17 Mar 07 - 10:13 PM

PoppaGator,

it's good to see you are still around! :)

Odetta, Joan Baez and Judy Collins are still going at it!

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: PoppaGator
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 11:13 PM

Some of the most amazing stories, to me, are those of the oldtimers who were "rediscovered" in the '60s and began their real careers, in the big-time limelight for the first time after lifetimes of obscurity, at fairly advanced ages: Libba Cotten, John Hurt, Skip James, all those other blues characters, and then the whole country contingent, Bascom Lunsford, the Stanley Brothers, etc.

In many cases, these musicians were notable enough in their youth to record a few sides just before the Depression hit and sent them back to the farms and factories, and they (presumably) kept up their chops as complete amateurs for decades and decades until some young kids who had heard their long-forgotten recordings suddenly showed up, heaped adulation upon them, and brought them to the big city for a long belated helping of fame and fortune.

What great, true stories!

I know this happened over and over again in the US in the mid-60s. I know they had the Depression on the other side of the ocean, and similar folk revivals also occurred much later and roughly simultaeously, too. So I have to wonder if there are similar stories in the folk-scene histories across the pond...

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Bert
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 09:45 PM

Melanie is still going strong but she's still a young 'un at 60.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Greg H
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 08:15 PM

Ukulele player Bill Tapia is 99 and still doing gigs.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: BanjoRay
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 06:18 PM

I was playing with Tom Paley in a London session a week ago - he's still as young as he ever was, with a fine fiddle style and a great sense of humour.
Ray

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: GUEST,Stooball
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 05:44 PM

Mose Allison

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Mark Ross
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 01:20 PM

John "The Yank" Harrington, born 1903(I think). Died 2004. Started playing the button accordian when he was 7, learned from his Irish immigrant parents. Kept playing until the end.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Kevin L Rietmann
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 12:46 PM

That reel was recorded the year before he died, also. He's playing the chanter of the set which the famous vaudeville piper Patsy Touhey used.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Kevin L Rietmann
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 12:44 PM

Andy Conroy lived to 88, and was an uilleann piping bricklayer who took up karate in his 80s, to fend off muggers, natch.
I'm leaving out a few details, though.

"Andy Conroy, Master piper, composer, former flute and whistle player, bricklayer (retired), musical, local and social historian, commentator, wrestler, boxer, weight lifter and Karate practitioner, is unquestionably an outstanding contributor to the social and cultural life of this country."

Very witty too. Here is an example of his inimitable playing of the reel Boys of Ballisodare.
RIP. Apt that I came across this thread on St. Patrick's Day.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Bugsy
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 01:40 AM

Derek Brimstone must be pushing 74 this year.


Cheers


Bugsy

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 01:57 PM

When you reach that age, what in hell else do you have to do?
(been there, doing that)

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 01:48 PM

Hughie Jones, in his 70's I believe

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 01:43 PM

Tommy Makem.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Fidjit
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 11:06 AM

Okay, I'll come clean.
I'm a 1933 model July YDD. (work that out for yourselves.)

Although I'll be at Miskin unofficially this Easter, I'll still be giving it a go. I O.D'd my voice there last year so plan to take it easier this time. Even pay for my ticket!!

I sing, Pete Seegers, "Get up and go" as often as I can. 'Cos I like to remember where my get up and go has been.

Thinking of a little tour round the English club sceene in 2008. When I get to a serios number.

Better book me whilst I can still do something.

Chas

http://chasclark.net

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: GLoux
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 08:07 AM

I saw Stephane Grappelli a couple of times in his eighties and he was amazing...

Marvin Gaster is from NC, by the way, Russ (I know you know that).

-Greg

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: nickp
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 07:55 AM

Guest Russ's mention of Joe Thompson prompts me to add old time fiddler Benton Flippen.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 04:45 AM

We should aslo make mention of the Rev. Ken Loveless.

He was a very accomplished concertina player and champion of Morris Dancing in England. He also had a tremendous singing voice. He was at the core of the morris dancing movement for many years and had the honour of holding the concertina that once belonged to Bill Kimber of Headington.

I can see him now with his cap, pipe and concertina playing as part of the Broadstairs Folk Show!

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: iancarterb
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 11:06 PM

Louis Killen is a spring chicken of 74. Rosalie Sorrels a mere 75. No one in their 60s wants 70s to be OLD! and it's not. Stoppped enjoying life is old. We all know 40 year olds like that.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 09:33 PM

Wasn't it Si Kahn who wrote the song "People Like You Help People Like Me Go On"? The song may have some relevance to this thread.

Now Bill Morrisey sounded like he was in his 70's when he was in his 30's! Since then he's made up for lost time. ;~)

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Effsee
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 09:18 PM

How about the late Compay Segundo, still in harness when he passed on at 93 IIRC?

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 07:03 PM

An excellent thread. it is making me feel remarkably young!

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 06:51 PM

Joe Thompson (NC), Marvin Gaster (ND), Lester McCumbers (WV)

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Stringsinger
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 05:39 PM

Y'all only mentioned the "folk stars". There are a whole lot of folks who are actively performing into their 70's and 80's, some make 90. They don't make the cover of Sing Out! or show up on Mudcat but their contributions are just as viable as the "stars".

How 'bout my friend Sam Hinton? He still plays a mean harmonica in his late eighties.

Burl Ives did his vocal excercises every morning 'til the time he left the planet.

Unfortunately, many are like Joe "King" Oliver who die in obscurity after a lustrous career.

One thing about musicians, if they take care of themselves, the music keeps them young.

Frank

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: vlmagee
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 04:50 PM

Lightfoot is "only" 68.

Another who comes to mind is Oscar Brand. He is 87, and is still performing and hosting his decades old radio show in NYC. I saw him perform in January, 2005. The man is amazing. He has the energy and voice of someone much younger than he is. Perhaps folk music keeps you young?

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: pdq
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 02:12 PM

corrections   Yes, Barbara Seeger makes five children for Ruth Crawford and Charles Seeger to go with half-brother Pete. Barbara is also on "Animal Folk Songs for Children". Also, Penny's daughter's name is spelled Sonya Cohen.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: mrmoe
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 09:05 AM

Tony Bennet comes to mind.....and Bear Acker.....

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 08:40 AM

I notice Jerry Rasmussen mentions his band mates' ages, and not his own-- but don't be fooled by the white hair and long line of great folksongs. Jerry is actually a spring chicken! :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 08:32 AM

How about Ian Tyson and Gordon Lightfoot? Both are into their 70s now and the last time I checked schedules, still had a lot of shows lined up.
SC

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Deckman
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 07:16 AM

And ... Paddy Graber, from the Vancouver, Canada area. Bob (He just recorded his first CD about 3 (?) years ago)

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: kendall
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 07:14 AM

Utah is younger than I.But not much.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Little Robyn
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 05:01 AM

Has anyone mentioned Packie Byrne?
And in the Seeger family, what about Barbara? She sang on the Folkways record FA2005.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 03:50 AM

Funny you should say that, Roger:
                                 At 76, my father-in-law is one of the younger members of the Bastion Jazz Band in Victoria, BC.
They play every Sunday night at The Blethering Place and I was going to hear them long before I met his daughter.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 03:44 AM

Pinetop Perkins performed into his 90s as well, Othar Turner seemed to go on for ever. Humphrey Lytelton is still blowing as well as ever at 85. Sadly, George Melly is still performing but not very well now, at 80. Most of the jazz heroes of my youth are in their 70s, many still performing.
RtS
(approaching 60 - but from the wrong direction)

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 03:44 AM

Art Thieme,

No, I didn't receive it. Oh dear. I will call you.

Elmer

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Joybell
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 01:17 AM

Australian Smokey Dawson is 93 and still singing.

(Ramblin' Jack Elliot is 76)

Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: open mike
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 11:53 PM

i just saw ralph stanley last week!!
he just had his 80th birthday
Tom Paley. another original member
of the New Lost City Ramblers is
still touring and performing.
How about Kenny Hall?

Glenn Ohrlin performs these days too.

of course Utah Phillips and Ramblin' Jack
are also active still

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: pdq
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 11:04 PM

Pete Seeger was born in 1919, son of ethnomusicologist Charles Seeger.

Seeger re-married and, with the help of his new wife Ruth Crawford, produced four more children. Mike was born in 1933, Peggy in 1935. I believe (not sure) Penny was next (Married John Cohen, produced Sonja Cohen) followed by Priscilla. Priscilla chose not to be active in folk music. Penny passed away in the 1990s.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Ref
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 10:10 PM

Bruce "Utah" Phillips? And above, I think you've got Peggy and Mike Seeger reversed. I believe Mike's the youngest.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Deckman
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 09:47 PM

The late David Spence used to say: "I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was!" CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Midchuck
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 09:39 PM

Has anyone mentioned Ramblin' Jack Elliot? He's about 120 and still performing.

I got the impression that he was only in his 70s, probably. It's his liver that's 120.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Beer
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 09:11 PM

Good thread but a tough one to answer. Where does Old Age begin? Would Kris Kristofferson consider himself as being old at 70? I think that is his age. What about Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings?
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Alice
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 09:01 PM

Ibrahim Ferrer of the Buena Vista Social Club.
died in 2005
From Wikipedia bio, he was born at a dance (1927) and his mother died when he was
12, forcing him to busk in the streets to earn money.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: pdq
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 08:10 PM

Bascom Lamar Lunsford as born in 1882 but was still playing and teaching in the mid 1960s. (d. 1973)

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: DADGBE
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 07:55 PM

Lee Hayes used to say, "I'm not as young as I used to be and, furthermore, I never was!"

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: RangerSteve
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 07:48 PM

Wade Mainer is still alive, I think. I saw him sometime in the early '80's, and he sounded like his original recordings, made in the 1930's.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 07:29 PM

If us oldtimers didn't keep on singing, how would the little kids learn from their grandmas & grandpas?

Charley, I can't be coy about my age anymore, not since my old book (SINGING FAMILY OF THE CUMBERLANDS) was first printed- and is still in print at U.Press of KY- The first sentence is, "I was born in Viper, Kentucky...on the eighth day of December, 1922..."

I am enjoying my twilight years, singing and traveling when I feel like doing it, enjoying all the old and new music surrounding, and Lord! What a host of memories keep me company in the quiet hours!

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 05:26 PM

Robyn et al-

Well, I was actually born in 1942, according to my mother, but I'm still less than mature.

And I'm willing to give Jean Ritchie and Peggy Seeger the benefit of the doubt as well.

Has anyone mentioned Ramblin' Jack Elliot? He's about 120 and still performing.

Stan Hugel was still belting out shanties in his 90's, and slugging down rum as well.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: kendall
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 04:26 PM

Sandy Paton, 75
Gordon Bok, 67

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: kendall
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 04:24 PM

Tom Paxton is only 67.

And, I'll have you know that I'm not a man my age!

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: frogprince
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:57 PM

Outside the "folk" realm, I saw Eubie Blake playing killer ragtime piano on TV well along in his 90's. He finally quit when he died, though. On his 100th, someone asked him how it felt like to be 100. Approximate quote: Like I'm 35, but something is terribly wrong with me.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Little Robyn
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:51 PM

And don't forget Peggy and Pete's brother Mike Seeger. I'm sure he's still performing and he must be getting close to 70.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:50 PM

I just saw Martin Carthy last night....he is 'only' 66, but he has energy I was I had...

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Little Robyn
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:49 PM

Charley Noble said

Jean Ritchie is still going strong, and she's over 60.

Peggy Seeger must be pushing 50 or so.

And I'm well over 30!

Charley Noble

Wow, time travel. Did you write that 10 or 15 years ago Charley?
If people in their 60s don't qualify, that's me out.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:32 PM

It's just dawned on me that you asked for musicians and Fred Jordan sang unaccompanied.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:29 PM

Les Paul still is performing.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:27 PM

Ray Price, country and honky tonk singer, born in 1926 and still touring. A friend of mine saw him perform recently and said that he's in great voice.

Kitty Wells, born 1919. I don't know how active she is in music these days but not long ago I saw her in a video and she still had that distinctive sound.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:21 PM

Louis Killen will be at the Sea Music Festival in Mystic in June.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:17 PM

Bo Diddley will be 80 next year and he is still going strong.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:13 PM

Fred Jordan

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: BlueJay
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:12 PM

Vassar Clements, who I saw perform with "Old and in the Gray", about five years ago. Whatta show.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:05 PM

and how could I have forgotten the late Stephane Grappelli, who still still displayed a phenomenal command of his instrument well into his eighties.

( this thread is also for oldtimers who have departed, btw )

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 02:56 PM

btw, when I say " I am in my sixties (just)", I mean I am just recently out of my fifties, not that I am imminently approaching my seventies ....

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 02:53 PM

Liz, I have to take you to task there, being in your sixties does not qualify you for inclusion in this thread. Jeez, I am in my sixties (just ) and no way do I consider myself an oldtimer.

I just hope I can play guitar like Doc when I am eighty ...

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Tootler
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:35 PM

Saw Tom Paxton recently at the Sage Gateshead. He was in as good a form as ever and must be well into his 70s

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:31 PM

Bob... you got that right.... excellent thread!

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:28 PM

Pete Seeger ain't exactly a spring chicken any more...he still does ok, when he chooses to.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:14 PM

elizabeth cotten was still playing inher 90,s as was etta baker,and junior crehan,paddy cronin is still going well too,loius killen and hughie jones as well.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: GUEST,Wolfhound person
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 04:47 AM

In their 70's:

Johnny Handle, and more particularly, Colin Ross, still playing, and making pipes 14 years after a heart bypass.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 03:34 AM

The Freebie press this week had an article about the Fairport Convention members who, despite only being in their 60's, qualify for this thread.

I can't remember names, or the whole article - I was reading it over someone's shoulder and apparently it wasn't in my newspaper, even though we had the same one!

LTS

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:09 AM

Elmer Fudd,

Did you get the obit/remembrance I sent you?

All the best,

Art

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 12:32 AM

I'm going to hear Lonnie Brooks tomorrow night, age 73 and still ripping.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 12:30 AM

Ya beat me to it, Louie! I was going to say Mudcat's own Louie Roy!

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: KT
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 12:26 AM

Faith Petric

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Louie Roy
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 10:55 PM

3 of the fiddlers I play with at least 5 times a month are over 90 and I'd put their talent up against anybody in the musical industry today.They still call me kid and I'm 82

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Jim Lad
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 09:59 PM

How old is Scrump?

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 09:52 PM

Jean Ritchie is still going strong, and she's over 60.

Peggy Seeger must be pushing 50 or so.

And I'm well over 30!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 09:43 PM

Johnny Silvo still tours UK regularly - And he is well into his seventies !
And my mate John Summerville is eighty and still playing great fiddle -AND running a Ceilidh band !

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 09:38 PM

BB King

Ralph Stanley

Billy Joe Shaver

~S~

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: DulciPicker
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 09:37 PM

Lonnie Austin, best known as one of Charlie Poole's fiddlers, played great fiddle and phenomenal stride piano up until a few months before his death at age 96. Lonnie didn't "play out", but loved living room sessions where he amazed everyone.

Stranger Malone, who played clarinet,flute, bassoon, and string bass with everyone from the Skillet Lickers to symphony orchestras, was playing and singing great until shortly before his death (also 96). He was a fixture at the Swannanoa Gathering the last few uyears of his life, jamming with everyone from fiddlers to swing bands. When he was in his 70's, he learned to play really solid swing guitar, since he couldn't find anyone to play rhythm guitar to suit him!

I've seen a number of older musicians who still play at a very high level at fiddlers' conventions. Unfortunately, some old-timers have lost a good deal of skill...Seems to be a matter of luck as much as skill and dedication.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: GUEST,Tom Nelligan
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 08:36 PM

Scottish/Canadian traditional singer Enoch Kent, who is in his mid-70s, did a splendid set at last week's Folk Alliance conference in Memphis.

Fiddler and African-American string band legend Howard Armstrong was still performing well into his 90s before passing away a couple years ago.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: lennice
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 08:31 PM

it is a great topic!

not quite 80: Willie Nelson is creeping up on 80 and still going strong, and Johnny Cash kept going until the last minute, in his 70's, and I think some of his best stuff was towards the end.

How old was Margaret McArthur?
Elizabeth Cotton?
Mississipi John Hurt?

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 07:47 PM

Joe Evans, bass singer in my quartet, and his younger friend Frankie, who sings baritone, are still going strong. Joe will be 83 in March, and Frankie 82. Joe had his heart stop and almost died a couple of weeks ago, but he didn't miss practice a couple of days later, and has performed with us twice since then. They had to use an electrical shock to get his heart going. Seems to be working fine, now.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Deckman
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 07:25 PM

This is a very good topic.

Subject: RE: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Jim Lad
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 07:19 PM

Buddy MacMaster comes to mind. He's probably the best example I can think of. I have met him at many gigs and have often passed him on the highways in Cape Breton when we were each heading to our respective venues. The man shows up, to work every time and is an outstanding mentor to the younger generation(s).

Subject: Oldtimers who just keep on keeping on
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 07:04 PM

I don't know whether this topic has been covered before on Mudcat, but personally I am in awe of musicians such as Doc Watson, who, in their eighties, still play with the same fire, fervour and finesse that they displayed in their twenties.

I am trying to think of other musicians (past or present) who come into this category, but the only one I can think of at the moment is Ralph Blizard, a wonderful longbow fiddler, now sadly deceased, whom I had the privilege of meeting and hearing back in 1997. Nobody listening to him play then would ever have guessed that he had turned 80.

So, who are the other musicians who have kept going into their eighties ? (and who have retained the same level of performance skill)

No names, no pack drill, but I could name several names who should have hung up their instruments and retired gracefully long before they reached 60, never mind 80.

Here's hoping that Doc keeps on picking going well into his nineties.