Thoughtful discussion. Dylan always messed up his stuff so it is no wonder he still is. I think they just like it. It is who they are. A few voices even get better. Like Jay Black, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAupx9QVUnU, not the best version but I prefer it to the famous hit. Paul McCartney's voice was scratchy when I saw him a few years ago but he still gave an amazing 3 hour performance. I think they like music and performing.
Grace Slick, who just turned 85, famously said, no one over 50 should be Rocking. Yet, it seems that these 'farewell tours' for The Eagles, Rod Stewart, Elton, etc., never end. Elton made two stops in Detroit on his "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," tour. Sade just released a new album. And Taylor Swift is fast approaching 40. LOL
Great minds think alike, Kent. I actually had the Eagles in any early draft of this story as an example of a related trend: Some of the bands keep touring even after the death of a prime mover.
I was thinking of E Street after Clarence Clemons, the Stones after Charlie Watts, and the Eagles after Randy Meisner. You might be able to think of and want to add others. I cut that part only because I was trying to keep the story to around four minutes.
And you are so right about these never-ending “farewell tours.” Another old rocker who toured recently was Peter Frampton, and I believe he was the one who called his tour “Never Say Never.” At least these bands have a sense of irony about what they’re doing.
Certainly Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan are special cases--and Sir Paul too.
I think of Leonard Cohen, who did his last two tours to fund the lawsuits he had going against his former manager, and Dick Dale, who kept touring simply to pay his medical bills. Kind of sad, but in Cohen's case those shows (one of which I was fortunate enough to see) were almost nowhere seen as anything but triumphant.
Oh, wow. I didn’t know why Cohen toured. I’d love to see a music historian (or similar expert) do a longer piece on the subject than mine, because there have to be other examples like yours. Maybe you’ll inspire them? Thanks so much.
I have two words for you that explain the difference between old guys and gals who keep going when they should not and the ones that keep going because they have keep themselves both healthy and relevant—- Bruce Springsteen.
That Spectator review actually sparked this story! Agree that it was a good piece by a very good writer.
I didn’t mention it mainly because of the paywall and because, while the review was persuasive, it didn’t make me see any of the songs in a new way as other reviews did with “It Ain’t Me Babe.” It may be the literary critic in me, but I’m always looking for a comment that makes me see a “text” with fresh eyes. In this case, the review made me see the bad guitar playing more than any of the songs.
Thanks so much for giving me an opening to say I, too, recommend Thomson’s piece to anyone looking for more on Dylan’s UK tour.
Thoughtful discussion. Dylan always messed up his stuff so it is no wonder he still is. I think they just like it. It is who they are. A few voices even get better. Like Jay Black, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAupx9QVUnU, not the best version but I prefer it to the famous hit. Paul McCartney's voice was scratchy when I saw him a few years ago but he still gave an amazing 3 hour performance. I think they like music and performing.
https://open.substack.com/pub/johnnogowski/p/im-not-there-the-sequel?r=7pf7u&utm_medium=ios
Grace Slick, who just turned 85, famously said, no one over 50 should be Rocking. Yet, it seems that these 'farewell tours' for The Eagles, Rod Stewart, Elton, etc., never end. Elton made two stops in Detroit on his "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," tour. Sade just released a new album. And Taylor Swift is fast approaching 40. LOL
Great minds think alike, Kent. I actually had the Eagles in any early draft of this story as an example of a related trend: Some of the bands keep touring even after the death of a prime mover.
I was thinking of E Street after Clarence Clemons, the Stones after Charlie Watts, and the Eagles after Randy Meisner. You might be able to think of and want to add others. I cut that part only because I was trying to keep the story to around four minutes.
And you are so right about these never-ending “farewell tours.” Another old rocker who toured recently was Peter Frampton, and I believe he was the one who called his tour “Never Say Never.” At least these bands have a sense of irony about what they’re doing.
You forgot Glen Fry. And John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. Also, Linda Ronstadt and Huey Lewis, who are still alive, but can't sing anymore.
Oh, do I wish Ronstadt could still sing! Her story is a hearbreaker.
As do I, Jan. And yes, it is. Huey's is as well.
Certainly Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan are special cases--and Sir Paul too.
I think of Leonard Cohen, who did his last two tours to fund the lawsuits he had going against his former manager, and Dick Dale, who kept touring simply to pay his medical bills. Kind of sad, but in Cohen's case those shows (one of which I was fortunate enough to see) were almost nowhere seen as anything but triumphant.
Oh, wow. I didn’t know why Cohen toured. I’d love to see a music historian (or similar expert) do a longer piece on the subject than mine, because there have to be other examples like yours. Maybe you’ll inspire them? Thanks so much.
I have two words for you that explain the difference between old guys and gals who keep going when they should not and the ones that keep going because they have keep themselves both healthy and relevant—- Bruce Springsteen.
Enough said.
Well, I grew up in Springsteen country, so who am I to disagree?
Jan
You were a savant. I got a second boost in the month. This on about “From the Greatest Get to the Latest Generation.” .
That Spectator review actually sparked this story! Agree that it was a good piece by a very good writer.
I didn’t mention it mainly because of the paywall and because, while the review was persuasive, it didn’t make me see any of the songs in a new way as other reviews did with “It Ain’t Me Babe.” It may be the literary critic in me, but I’m always looking for a comment that makes me see a “text” with fresh eyes. In this case, the review made me see the bad guitar playing more than any of the songs.
Thanks so much for giving me an opening to say I, too, recommend Thomson’s piece to anyone looking for more on Dylan’s UK tour.