Oldest Performer You've Seen Who Was Still Excellent

Nope. Englewood, NJ. Close enough

 

Bill Monroe, 1994. I think he was 82.

 

Iggy Pop.

 

Another for Burt Bacharach. Forget his age, he still has the x-factor, the way he drives the orchestra and Steinway. Of course, it actually keeps him alive.
DD

 

There have been several I've seen both in the past and more recently, but Ray Price's late-period live performances really stuck with me.

Ray Price shortly before his passing in 2013.

 

Alberta Hunter @ NYC's The Cookery, I believe it was either '78 or '79.

 

Same for me.

 

Jeff Beck in his early 70's defies science.

 

Leonard Cohen, two years ago in Memphis. Funny, charming, self-deprecating, and amazingly energetic. He literally skipped onto the stage, knelt numerous times, and sang for 3 1/2 hours. All when he was around 80. One of the best shows I've ever seen--what a body of work.

 

Just saw a 76 year old Tom Jones open for Van Morrison about a week ago at the Bowl and he was undiminished.
Still in shock at how mighty his voice was.

Also shocking was his backing band which has turned into a guitar based blues/boogie outfit.
Like watching Elvis fronting ZZ Top.
Wow

 

I saw Ian Hunter about a week ago. Unexpectedly great voice for somebody who was 77. Show was extremely well balanced with slow songs and rockers. I was extremely impressed.

 

I was just about to post almost the same comments. Saw Leonard in Seattle the last two times he came through town. They are still among the most excellent shows I've seen.

 

Yep, saw him at the mgm.

 

Gerry Marsden....a great showman....I don't think that his Pacemakers are the same folks...I know that his brother (drums) passed several years ago.

 

Randy Weston at the Jazz Museum in 2010, he was 84, played solo, fantastic
McCoy Tyner at SF Jazz, January 2015. He was 75, played with Gerald Cannon and Francisco Mela. McCoy may have lost a step compared to his younger days, but when he sits down to the piano and plays his unmistakable compositions, the molecules in the room change.
Sonny Rollins - a couple of times at Monterery Jazz from 2001-2007..Sonny always brings it to the band stand.

 

Buddy Guy, saw him about 3 years back, as good as ever if not better.

 

Leonard Cohen without a doubt.

His concert in Leeds, in the north of the UK in September 2013 was for me one of the absolute highlights of 47 years' worth of regular concert-going - it was an astounding performance in many many ways.

Best Wishes,
David

 

This has to be Chris Barber (with his Big Chris Barber Band). I saw him a couple of times in the same year. He was in his early 80s at the time (2012, I think). He was absolutely fantastic, both as a band leader and as a trombonist.

 

Ruth Pointer. A couple of days shy of turning 70 and she looked and sounded just as god as sh did in the 80s.

 

Arthur Lee's Love, Forever Changes tour.
Went out of curiosity and was totally spellbound.

And another for Buddy Guy.

Not forgetting Brian Wilson a few months ago. Oh and Ray Davis (Kinks) who left his much younger band, for dead.

Judy Collins was sadly another story. Nothing wrong with the Hobsons (Hobsons Choice - voice) but the between song banter and audience interaction stuff, made me feel like an inmate in a old folks home.
A bit sad & embarrassing.
I swear I could smell stale pee.

 

John Hammond Jr

 

Colin Blunstone and the Zombies. Fantastic performance in 2014.

 

Jeff Beck. Saw him 2 years ago when he was 70. He blew the roof off the place. He was as good as if not better than when he was 35. Still full of energy!

 

70s UK songwriter- guitarist Michael Chapman, going strong acoustic and solo at 75, my wife, who'd never seen him before, called him "bloody brilliant".......

 

Van Morrison's 70th Birthday bash.