Oldest Performer You've Seen Who Was Still Excellent

Al Stewart.

June 2012.

 

Ravi Shankar. It was back in the '90s or early 2000's.

 

I saw both Carl Perkins and Bo Diddley in the late 80's. No later than '89. Perkins was an charismatic gentleman who told some great stories and the crowd ate it up. Bo Diddley rocked harder than a lot of contemporary performers…the distortion and phase shifter (?) on his guitar sounded amazing live. And that cigar box shaped guitar…lol.

Two memorable shows by older early rock legends.

 

Dio was still really sharp at age 60.

 

In 1989 Carl Perkins was only 57, the same age that Marie Osmond is now. Bo Diddley would have been 61, 10 years younger than Cher is now.

 

Only partly related to the topic (because I didn't see her), but is Diamond Teeth Mary at 97 years old the oldest singer who has performed in public?



She was the half-sister of Bessie Smith, by the way.

 

I saw Arthur Brown and Buffy Sainte-Marie back in February of this year (one night after the other!). I believe they are the same age - 76 or so. Both artists were so full of energy and put on excellent shows - not to be missed. I'd see them both again in a heartbeat. Exceeded expectations on both counts!

 

Leonard Cohen on his last time in Detroit, age 78 or 79. I saw the Fairfield Four open for Lyle Lovett in 97 or 98 and all of these guys were north of 70 I believe. Being able to get to the Detroit Jazz Festival every year, I've seen a lot of legendary players in their late 70's to mid 80's; Hank Jones, the Heath Brothers, Freddie Cole, Lee Konitz, Tommy Flanagan, Benny Carter, Shelia Jordan, Sonny Rollins, Phil Woods, among others. Gerald Wilson conducting at age 92 or 93 was probably the oldest.

 

Robert Plant a couple years ago.....amazing, he sounded better than he had in years.

 

Saw Benny Carter at Jazz Alley. After missing a high note, he paused, smiled and stated "that's what happens when you're 86!" It was a great concert.

 

Nick Lowe. I've seen him maybe 8-10 times, and he's better than ever.

 

Chaka Khan last week in a 1,600 capacity venue. For 64 she was flawlessly hitting the notes she had done 45 years ago.

 

On TV.
Tony Bennett

 

Alice Cooper three years ago.

 

I just saw Dennis DeYoung last week and he sang wonderfully. He is 70 years old and still has a great voice. He was playing his keyboards getting up to sing and dancing with his wife. I enjoyed the show immensely. I think Styx could really benefit from having him back in the band.

 

I saw Return To Forever in 2011. Chick Corea was 70 at the time. He sat in with opener Zappa Plays Zappa on "King Kong" and then killed it with RTF. Very impressive.

 

Neil Diamond.

 

Colin Blunstone about 3 months ago.

 

Artur Rubinstein who was 83 when I saw him.

 

I saw Gunter Wand conduct one of his final concerts in 2001. I think he was nearing 90 at the time.

 

leonard

 

Blugrass musician Wade Mainer played at a concert a couple of days before his 101st birthday
Wade Mainer performs "beautiful, wonderful music" during 101st birthday party and concert - Flint, Michigan Entertainment News - The Flint Journal – MLive.com

 

These two gentlemen were elder statesmen of rock and roll when I saw them. They were amongst the oldest performers I had seen at the time when most I saw live were in their twenties and thirties.

 

Muddy Waters.

 

Dick Dale !