My SO was watching a show about the Rolling Stones tonight and after viewing Keith Richards (dead but won’t lay down) we were trying to work out who is the one from that era- or earlier- that is still going. Obviously “mainstream” is a very loose definition, but I wasn’t really thinking of Shirley temple or someone else who had a few hits.
A lot died young, and a lot lost traction and disappeared.
I was thinking of that old bat Tina Turner, and possibly Gerry Marsden from Gerry and the Pacemakers.
Of all of the ones I could think of though, Kris Kristofferson is the ace. He must have seen so much during his career and is still kicking.
I did think of Willie Nelson, who is remarkably only 3 years older (he always seemed 140) but I can’t come up with anyone else.
If you count Rolling Stones/Keith Richard, there are a whole bunch at about their age that are still kicking and doing fine such as Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Ron Wood, Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney etc etc.
So quickly! Thanks. In a million years I would not have thought of Acker Bilk- and I just thought of leon Russell etc. Acker Bilk will take some beating though.
If you’re talking about specifically someone from the rock ‘n’ roll scene, John Mayall is 78 and still touring and recording. Little Richard is 79 and still performs, though he doesn’t actually tour AFAIK. Fats Domino is 83, but his last performance documented on Wikipedia was three years ago.
I don’t know if Ed Cassidy still plays anymore but the former drummer for Spirit is 88. His stepson, Randy California who was also in the band, unfortunately drowned 15 years ago.