Who are now the oldest rock stars currently out there playing? The 1960s generation are now in their sixties, such as Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart. Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and Ozzy are older than George W. Bush.
I ask this because Jethro Tull is putting out a Christmas Album and one of the players looks like he is nearly 70, although it seems that they have two new (youngish) players in the group.
Also, what groups around today will still be playing in their twilight years for admiration or just more bucks? I vote U2 personally.
The first rock ‘n’ roll song ever recorded was “Rocket 88” and while it was accidentally credited to the vocalist (Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats), the actual musicians were the Ike Turner Band. For this reason, Ike Turner gets my vote.
The 3 living members of Danny & the Juniors(At the Hop-1957) are active. Johnny Maestro -lead of Crests(16 Candles -1958)- began in 1957 & is very active w/ the Brooklyn Bridge–(Worst that Could Happen-1968-9)
Jerry Lee Lewis is another person to mention, and I believe he is about 68. In a lot of cases, as long as they’re still physically capable, people still tour.
It would also be worth mentioning other categories of “popular” music because it shows that musicians can be relevant and produce good material at any age. Just as an example, in Blues, John Lee Hooker put out CDs regularly right up to the time of his death in 2001 (b. 1917), and the more recent material was still of excellent quality.
In reggae, Burning Spear has one of the more energetic stage shows I’ve seen despite being somewhere above 60 years old.
PBS has been running, for pledge drive purposes - a series of reunion concerts of 1950s doo-wop and folk singing groups. (Some 60s ones as well.) They’ve ranged from one survivor to a reunion of the whole original group.
And since no one actually said: Chuck Berry was born in 1926, which makes him an astounding 77. Fats Domino is 75. Bo Diddley will be 74 in a couple of weeks. Ike Turner is only 72. Little Richard is 71. Jerry Lee Lewis is a kid at 68.
For the record, the 2 oldest Tull members are Ian Anderson was born in 1947 making him 56 and Martin Barre (the closest thing to an original band member besided Ian) was born in 1946 making him 57. Babies compared to McCartney and Jagger.
Also, the Christmas album was out in September. Besides solo work, it’s the first studio work from Tull since 1999.
since the OP asked about rock groups, I would have to make my plug for YES. This year marks their 35th anniversary, and they are currently recording and touring with their classic lineup. Jon Anderson turns 60 in 2004, and the other guys are not far behind. YES might not be quite as old as the Stones, but they are arguably the most long-lived rock act to actively tour and put out new studio material every couple of years. They are not a reunion act.