Keep On, Keeping On

Today is Mick Jagger's birthday. It suddenly dawned on me that he was born in 1943 - and that means he's in his mid sixties! Moreover, he's still rocking with the Rolling Stones.

Truth be told, I'm not a giant Rolling Stones fan but I appreciate and respect their position - and importance - in the rock world. This article isn't about the Rolling Stones or even Jagger himself - it is about longevity.

How long will our favorite Glam bands tour?

I've had a lot of people (recently) say to me "I'll spend the money on these shows now because I don't know how much longer these bands will be around." Point taken. I love Motley Crue. You know this. I didn't see their debut at the Starwood in the early 80s. You also know this. Nikki Sixx is old enough to basically be my dad. Ok, you know this too - so, how long will our favorites keep on, keeping on?

I've written before that I hate fake farewell tours. KISS is a great example of the faux goodbye. In life, you're either in or you're out. That pretty much applies to every scenario you could encounter. So, how long will Motley Crue (or Poison, Aerosmith, Kix, L.A. Guns...) keep performing live.

Some bands face different situations. Tracii Guns' new version of LA Guns features members in a broad range of ages. Poison is all original members, as is Motley Crue. When you start a career in 1981 and the year is 2008, you're probably starting to look toward retirement.

Will my life end when my favorites retire? It's possible.

The issue isn't necessarily the end of live shows or the possibility of new music - it's the ending of an era - but would the music end? I don't think so. I would argue that Glam will remain relevant ten, twenty - even thirty years from now.

Think about that: you, listening to Glam in the year 2030. Will we have personal flying machines by then? I doubt it, but who knows. One thing I can guarantee: diehard music fans like you and me will  remain...and we'll still be debating the merits of Girls, Girls, Girls versus Look What the Cat Dragged In.

Whoa, what a ramble. You can tell I'm tired. I spent the day wandering the streets of Philadelphia  and I'm worn out.  Yes,  Eric, Heather and I saw the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and took a carriage ride to see the sights. I'll have pictures on Myspace soon.

Comments

[Joe]

Great article Allyson and glad to hear you're all having a great time...Oh if you happen to see Rocky Balboa jogging the streets of Philly..can you get me an autograph? HAHA!!!!...=)

[JT]

As long as people want to hear it, I believe bands will continue making it. New radio shows are popping up all the time in tribute to the "hair metal" scene. Bands like Poison and the Crue are still playing major venues, and the "lesser" bands like Faster Pussycat and LA Guns are still doing it the old-fashioned way in small clubs. But the point is...they're still doing it. As long as people want it, they will keep doing it. I just hope more get on the ball and start making NEW music (do you hear me, Poison?)...

[Joe]

Yes and with the Sweden glam invasion..they'll continue to carry the glam torch =)

[Lucifer]

Just to say, Girls, Girls, Girls, is WAY better than Look what the cat dragged in.

Also great article.

[aXe mAn]

How long will bands like Poison and Motley Crue keep on playing? Only time will tell.

[r0ck0n]

I suspect it depends on the band...Mick Mars has already stated he won't still be touring when he's 70...I believe his exact words were that he thought that was a little "too geezed out." soooo I'm giving Motley Crue at most 10-15 years. Some "younger" artists who came toward the end of the '80s,such as Sebastian Bach, will probably go a little longer than that. I think you're right...the music won't end just because they retire, but it surely won't be the same...

[Matt]

It will be a different world when all these bands stop touring. I'll be bored to death without being able to go to concerts, that's for sure.

Here's hoping that modern science will be able to radically extend the lifespans of our favorite rock stars!

[George]

We might be surprised how long some of these bands keep touring. Think about some of the groups from the 50's and 60's. A lot still tour even if it's just one original member still living and they're out with guys who are 30 years younger than them. I could see Poison touring in 30 years with just Brett and some guys young enough to be his grandkids.