Seeing old bands from the 60s, 70s and 80s

[NewJeffCT]

I was wondering if anybody else felt this same way? I'm not singling out Van Halen, as it applies to most bands from the 60s, 70s and 80s to me.

I was in high school in the early to mid 80s. One of the big rock bands of the era was Van Halen - the were the epitome of the hard partying hard rock/heavy metal band with David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony.

I was thinking about this the other day when a friend posted on Facebook about a potential reunion with the original band members.

While I loved that original lineup (and never liked Sammy Hagar), I really do not have any desire to see them in concert anymore. I'm in my early 50s now and David Lee Roth and the others in the band are in their 60s. Do I really want to see these guys at this age singing about being "Hot for Teacher" or "Running with the Devil" ?

I still like hearing the music if it's on the radio, but I'd prefer to keep my memories of them in the primes from back in the 1980s and not as guys 40 years later trying to recapture their old glory.

Again, I don't want to single out Van Halen, but I generally think I feel the same about most bands from the era - I saw a lot of concerts in the 80s and 90s, but don't really want to go seem them again.

[BootinUp]

1. I'm ok with everyone deciding this

For themselves.

[NewJeffCT]

5. agree with that

but, it's not for me.

[Merlot]

2. I feel the same way, and prefer finding new musicians to watch in concert

I did see Pete Townsend do an acoustic version of one of his songs from Quadrophenia which was wonderful. He had done an orchestral version of Quadrophenia, so it was different musicians creating a different take on the music.

I would not want to see a remake of the Who playing out their old songs. That's what concert movies are for.

[Freddie]

3. Depends

I adore Elvis Costello and he’s totally awesome in concert.
Paul McCartney can’t sing anymore (old age finally caught up) and I’m not sure if I want to see him again if he ever tours this way. Have seen him probably 10 times since 1976.

[samnsara]

4. i will go see Pink Floyd again if they are ever near me..

..im too old for the party bus tho….

[Bayard]

6. Two of my favorite bands of all time

The Eagles and Journey. But now you have Glenn Fry's son replacing him. And some guy taking Steve Perry's place (never be as sexy).

I'll just keep listening to the old stuff.

[wryter2000]

7. I see Tower of Power whenever I can

They range in age from 30's to 72. IMHO they sound better than they did in the 1970's. Great, great band.

On edit: last June they released a new album. All new songs with wonderful, funky sound.

[hibbing]

17. Have you seen their Tiny Desk show?

I've never even heard of them before, saw their Tiny Desk show on YouTube and I'm like damn, these guys are cool!

Peace

[wryter2000]

20. Yes!

Delightful. Do see them live if you get a chance. They're amazing musicians.

[Iggo]

29. I saw a comment under a Tiny Desk video on YouTube earlier today...

...as I was watching Mariachi Flor de Toloache or Monsieur Periné for the umpteenth time.

Random dude said something like: "I can literally wear a blindfold, click on any Tiny Desk video, and I'll love it."

So far, I'm with rando.

[hibbing]

34. A few recommendations

Tank and the Bangas, it will make you laugh, make you cry and make you think. Phoebe Bridgers, sad songs from a woman too young to write such sad songs and pipes that I thought were going to blow out the room. Diane Coffee....no words can describe this epic performance. Moon Hooch, 2 saxes and a crazed drummer in an intense 12 minute performance, including a traffic cone stuck in a sax. My last one for some coolness, Tuxedo. I could offer another 20, but these ones are my favorite. I have found more new music or artists at least new to me on Tiny Desk than almost anywhere. The variety they offer is something that is hard to find elsewhere.

Peace

[Iggo]

35. "I have found more new music..."

Ain't that the truth.

And thanks for the recommendations.

[MuseRider]

8. I graduated from High School in 1971

and I get a kick out of seeing the old bands I loved then and in college. Sometimes it can be a little sad but that is mostly watching the rest of the audience deal with their walkers and canes. Elton John was one of those, I never saw so many old people with health issues in one place. It was a little disconcerting to see all the oxygen tanks there with explosive oxygen while smelling a lot LOT of weed. Jethro Tull did their 50th anniversary, it was fun. Really fun. I finally saw a 70+ year old Ringo a few years ago and it was outstanding and his All Starr Band was great and full of famous old rockers. Paul Simon, James Taylor....you name it. Maybe you are not old enough yet. You go with your memories and you can really get into it all over again, it is a sharing thing with your audience mates and the band and it really is special. Just saw YES do their 50th and it was great! David Crosby and then CSN, wonderful fun. It is individual I guess but it might be moreso for you in a few more years. We are all old, you look around and it feels good actually. These are the folks who rolled in the mud, sat on hard floors to hear people like Zappa and Steely Dan just like you did. We now need chairs and many of us cushions but we are all the same. YMMV

[Lochloosa]

10. My first concert was Edgar Winter in Tully Gym at FSU.

Your right about sitting on hard floors back in the day.

16 and I was right up front. No chairs back then.

[MuseRider]

13. AWESOME!

He was so great! My first was the Turtles (with Flo and Eddie) and Steppenwolf. Hard bandstand. We would go anywhere but the best was we could enjoy it without having to stand through the entire thing. #tooold

[Lochloosa]

9. Going to see Dead and Company for three nights in Mexico.

Great spin-off from the Grateful Dead.

I sure miss Jerry though.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

11. I'm 66 and I go to "oldies" shows a lot - mine are older than yours -

last month I saw 86-year old Petula Clark! This month I saw Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman of the Bryds (on tour with Marty Stuart) - they're in their 70's. There are a number of clubs/theaters in my area that draw acts from my 1960's/70's youth, and I go to as many shows as I can. I always have a great time even though they can't always hit the notes they used to or have the vocal power they used to. There's still always such a good energy at these shows that I love to experience.

[msongs]

12. saw elton john and diana ross last year. fine shows and tons of youngfolks there.

eltons voice has lowered quite a bit but still sounds fab and the band was rocking. diana needs to shake up her show, she,s doing the same set list for 30 yrs. call me, diana and we revitalize the act lol. she did sound good tho.

[Phentex]

14. I feel the same...

I love that the internet gives me access to relive the old bands any time I want.

I'm old enough to preserve any hearing I have at this point and concerts are not good for the ears.

[Ohiogal]

15. I saw the Moody Blues the summer before last

And Justin Hayward’s voice sounded as great and strong as ever. Yes they are in their 70 s now, but they can still can rock the stage! Later on that summer I saw Heart’s Ann Wilson, and SHE sounded as good as ever, too! I say, it’s an individual choice.

[hibbing]

16. I'm a huge Dylan fan

He has always evolved and his live reputation has always been mixed, sometimes great, sometimes some good performances in a poor show, and some awful shows. The last show I saw a year ago was great even though he sang some American standards that I didn't even know. I do know what you are saying, do I want to watch Mick chicken strut around like he's 30? Sorry, rambling, I guess it depends on the artist and the style. Dylan always has magnificent musicians and can still rock it, but he's never been dancing around on stage.

Peace

[Corgigal]

18. Saw the movie bohemian rhapsody

and can't stop playing Freddie for the past several weeks. Tried to go back to current music, but they don't sound as good right now. When the queen mania wears off, maybe I can switch it up, but right now I'm enjoying what I haven't seen for awhile.

[Ohiogal]

27. Corgigal,

I am exactly the same way! Ever since I saw Bohemian Rhapsody, I can’t listen to anything but Queen right now! And this has lasted a couple weeks! Freddie was a brilliant musician and entertainer. Do you watch any of their old videos on You Tube? I think I have watched every single one!

[Corgigal]

37. OMG,

You're my new best friend. I live in Kentucky, swing by and we can watch Queen live DVDs.

I'm watching Freddie videos daily, or hourly. Just depends how busy I am.

[True Dough]

31. My wife and I as well

Queen's YouTube videos must have jumped by the millions of views since Bohemian Rhapsody was released.

Sooo many great tunes, but love "Hammer to Fall" in particular!

[Ohiogal]

32. Oh yes that's a good one

And I love the live performances. I think I’ve watched the Live Aid concert about 10 times. Love it all. Freddie was such an entertainer who connected with every single person even with a huge crowd.

[MissMillie]

19. I kept spending money to see the Moody Blues

when I shouldn't have.

There are some people (musicians/artists/performers) that somehow make it work. I saw Peter Gabriel long after his commercial success and he was wonderful.

[Ohiogal]

28. They (the Moodies) are still wonderful!

I’ve always had a little crush on Justin Hayward ....

[IcyPeas]

21. I prefer to remember them how they were also (Simple Minds)

Simple Minds is a band I LOVED or should say Love (still do). They still tour and were in my city recently. I considered going. Then I watched some recent concert clips of them on youtube. They are still great..... but..... I dunno. not the same.

[bif]

22. I pretty much can't listen to the music from the late 60s and early 70s.

I heard all that music way too much back then. Time to move on. A lot of people my age are stuck in that time period and have never moved on. And I really don't want to hear most of those bands live.

[Kali]

23. some are good some need propping up with a stick

saw Robin Trower a while back, good show. a number of years ago saw Johnny Winter, kind of sad.

[kwassa]

24. I bought a ticket to Woodstock for three days of concerts for $18.

I saw the Rolling Stones for $10. Great seats, too. 1978, Some Girls tour.

In 1969 I saw Led Zeppelin for $4, their first year of touring the US.

I don't want to spend hundreds to see the gerniatric version of what was quite reasonable at the time.

[Iggo]

25. Lemme just say, if Michael Anthony's back, they'll at least sound like Van Halen Again.

[NewJeffCT]

41. who knows how long they'll last together?

and if they can even get through some rehearsals before a tour.

[Iggo]

42. I'm guessing one limited tour, major cities.

They get through that, maybe a full tour with repeat performances at the major cities.

They might get Eagles money if they sound good and can hold it together.

[lastlib]

26. Not real keen on seeing all those guys in their 70s,,,

...trying to do what they did in their 20s/30s. Saw the Eagles in '08, doing their "Long Road Out Of Eden" stuff, and without Don Felder, it just didn't work for me. Plus, Henley couldn't remember the words to his own songs--it was pretty sad. I decided I was done with concerts of old bands, would just listen to the original recordings and enjoy what I remembered about them.

Although I gotta admit, Roger Waters has put out some hellaciously awesome stuff recently--and very anti-tRump!

[Heartstrings]

30. Clapton has survived all those decades....

And plays a fantastic concert, indoors or out.....yes, he's a geezer and showing it but, damn, he's an icon and still has it.....

Just saw him this past July in London at Hyde Park with Steve Winwood, Santana, Gary Clark, Jr., Nathan East and Paul Carrack.....saw him the year before in LA at the Forum....Slow Hand still has it going on!

[Bradshaw3]

33. Right there with ya for the most part

I have no desire to see the rockers (especially the Rolling Stones who I saw in their prime) or other similar groups. Part of their appeal was in their youthful vibrancy. I love Dylan as much as anyone and saw him twice in the past 8 years but his voice is mostly gone; anyoneI loved who falls in those categories I would pass on.

Now, there are oldsters who are more acoustic and rely on the emotional touch like James Taylor or Bonnie Raitt I would still go to see.

[Hoyt]

36. Just saw two of the original Byrds. Very good, but neither they or I had the

same level of excitement as 45, or so, years ago.

[NewJeffCT]

40. That's what I was thinking

I'm sure I'd enjoy the music if I saw bands I loved from the 70s and 80s, but it won't be the same experience as when I was younger.

[Anon-C]

38. The sweet spot I find is in musicians who changed their tune as it were, or who are genuinely great

... musicians and will never lose that in a live performance, no matter how old they are.

DLR Van Halen rules but Dreams is their Magnum Opus!

[zanana1]

39. I go to cover band concerts.

They always sound great.

[Iggo]

43. I LOVE cover bands!