Oldest Performer You've Seen Who Was Still Excellent

Levon Helm
Donovan

These were around 20 years ago, so they weren't that old.
But they were the oldest I've seen.
Both were excellent.

 

Sonny Rollins 6 or 7 years ago: 80?

 

Doc Severinsen, who just turned 90 a few days ago. Happy Birthday, Doc!

Doc was in his mid 80s when I saw him lead a big band at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis. I expected him to turn the trumpet solos over to some young hot shot in the band. No way. Not only did Doc play them all himself, with complete control and seemingly the range he's always had, Doc Severinsen is the only octogenarian I know who totally rocks a pair of leather pants. The red velvet sports coat with a bold, black paisley pattern seemed an afterthought.

 

Neil Young and the Promise of the real 2016
Still angry and shredding old black at 70!

 

Van. 2 weeks ago. Just dropped 4 new songs into a largely hit based set. Just remarkable.

 

Little Feat still kick ass and they are all around 70.

 

I just saw Chicago perform in Indianapolis. Robert Lamm is 72, Lee Loughnane 70 and Jimmy Pankow is 69. They were great! Lots of energy. I am posting a recent concert in Sacramento.

 

Toots Hibbert! Saw Toots & the Maytalls a few months ago. One of the best shows I've seen in quite some time. Sold out crowd in a small club and he just fed off the audience and took us higher and higher and higher!

 

Ian Hunter-78.
Taj Mahal-75
Paul McCartney-75 (hey, for a 75 year old he has a lot of stamina and sounds pretty good IMHO).

 

I don't know how old Jorma and Jack are but saw Hot Tuna last night opening for Tedeschi Trucks in Atlanta. They rocked!

 

76 and 73 respectively.

 

John Mayall a few weeks ago. Going on 83 I believe.

 

You may have won! He will be 84 in November.

 

At 72 Jon Anderson is a wonder! He sounds pretty darn good.

 

Herbert Blomstedt a few months ago, aged 89 (since turned 90), conducting the NY Philharmonic in Beethoven's 7th & 8th symphonies.

 

OK, I was wrong YOU'RE the winner as I doubt anyone will beat that unless someone is performing at 91.

 

Saw Fripp with King Crimson recently.

Leonard Cohen in 2012 was excellent.

 

Ravi Shankar at almost 91 years young at Davies symphony hall in San Francisco, on October 7, 2011. Still fully aware and still able to jam on the sitar!

RIP

Perhaps it's time to turn vegetarian....

 

Pianist Mieczyslaw Horszowski, age 99:



Soprano Magda Olivero, age 100+ in this clip:

Magda Olivero - left us september 8, 2014. Really VISSI D'ARTE .





Did I win?

 

The Stones. Hunter Valley NSW, Australia circa 2015. Nailed it. Crowd of 40000. Gimme Shelter was immense. Mick Taylor looked like the only one who'd aged naturally. Keith was fantastic.

 

Both Arthur Brown and The Zombies. Saw them both about three or four years ago. Both absolutely superb; songs played with real fire and energy and no hint of voices going either. Both Brown's and Blunstone's voices are genuinely awesome and something which needs to be experienced live.

 

Leonard Cohen.

 

Every other week my 83 year old sax teacher gives me a lesson. He's great and plays like a demon. He also gigs regularly and his jazz band is amazing. I'm sure the average age of the group is about 75.

I also saw Dewey Redman at the end of his life and he still had it. Jack Bruce was killing it when I saw him late in his life.

 

Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzman, Phil Leah, Jorma and Jack, BBKing ( about 2years before he passed), Philippe Entremont( conducting), Bronfman ( piano), Rozhdestvensky ( conducting).

 

Wayne Shorter. I hope he lives forever.