You know you're getting old when half (most?) of the artists on your "favourites" playlist have died

I did, actually to music that was hundreds of years old. Most of my classmates didn't though. Ignorance of the past is not a new phenomenon.

 

I'm only 37 years old, but recently I played a bunch of records by the Grateful Dead (featuring Jerry Garcia and Brent Mydland), Sandy Denny, Kirsty McColl, Nick Drake, Suzanne Vega and Tom Petty, thinking "Suzanne Vega will probably look twice before crossing the street".

 

All these age jokes are just so hilarious. Can you guys add something about prostate problems, too?

 

Nobody said it was.

 

"We're the weaker sex! Men don't live as long. We get more heart attacks, more strokes, more prostate trouble!" - Steve Martin, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

 

It is what it is.

 

Mid-70s. John walks into the proctologist's office for a routine checkup and is surprised to see Ringo at the exam table, gloved to the elbows. Though reassured by the thicket of medical degrees and professional certifications dated post-breakup on one wall, he curiously asks, "What inspired you to do this?". Ringo smiles, points to a large picture of Dave Clark on the opposite wall and says, "I've been practicing since 'Polythene Pam' and wanted to give you a feel for my new style".

(the author is prepared sign printouts for a George Martin-sized fee)

 

It's not a matter of age, it's a matter of taste. If you're into old blues or classical music, then the percentage will rise accordingly. My daughters are 12 and 15, and about half of their playlists are from older/dead artists.

 

some of the latest
Squire, Becker, Bowie, Prince - starting to hit that next generation of artists- early to mid 70s

surprised Crosby is still with us and putting out his best music in decades

 

My advice, and it's no joke: once you get to 40 start getting a regular PSA test. I did. Otherwise I could have been among those late artists.

(Frank Zappa died from prostate cancer.)

 

I don't want to call myself old at age 21.