Classic Country Fans, what's your OPINION on this.....?!
Question: when a legend is well into his or her 80's and the wrinkles are showing very clear, the eyes are kinda giving out and they have to use the tele to read the words to the songs, sometimes they might even ramble a time or two-forgetting what he/she was talking about...do you think there is a time to just toss in the hat and call it a day? or do you think they should continue to live out the dream that they love so much and started so long ago, as long as he/she is selling massive amounts of tickets? do you think that they could make a fool out of themselves at some point? JUST WONDRIN WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS.
Answers: when a legend is well into his or her 80's and the wrinkles are showing very clear, the eyes are kinda giving out and they have to use the tele to read the words to the songs, sometimes they might even ramble a time or two-forgetting what he/she was talking about...do you think there is a time to just toss in the hat and call it a day? or do you think they should continue to live out the dream that they love so much and started so long ago, as long as he/she is selling massive amounts of tickets? do you think that they could make a fool out of themselves at some point? JUST WONDRIN WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS.
I'd go see them if they had to be wheeled out in a wheelchair and sat behind the microphone and did nothing!
A very interesting question. I won't name any names but I do know of a few that have tried to keep hanging on even though they sing off key or don't remember the lyrics to some of their most popular recordings as they used to. I also know some that have made their place in classic country music history but for whatever reason they still keep making appearances. I have on occasion seen some of them make huge boo boo's trying to still carry on and I know they no longer need the money from it but they somehow just can't turn it loose. Maybe it helps keep them alive and have a sense of belonging.The short answer is that yes some should definately hang up their spurs and just rest because they aren't furthering their careers anymore.
I believe that they should continue to follow their dream for as long as they can. After a certain age, I am sure that they aren't worried about making a fool of themselves and their fans don't care either as long as they are aloud to see them in concert.
that is a toughy. its awful to see someone you love so much forgetting words to their songs, but at the same time you really want to see them in concert. Like i would pay to willie even if he forgot sometimes, because i would always remeber him from when he was great. If people are still paying, and the artisit still wants to play, they should do what they want. Why live if you cant do what you love?
Talking about singers who have had very long careers, all of them have had only a few short years when they were at their peak and were most popular (and to be truthful, at their best). Perhaps you have occasionally run into one playing at some small club or someplace and said to yourself "Gosh, I didn't know he or she was still around!" Whether or not someone should retire when they in their 80s I don't know. Surely they cannot sound like they used to and perhaps are making fools of themselves, but they may still have fans who may want to see them no matter what.
At the age of 60, I have seen alot of the Country Music Legends in their prime as well as in the last few years. While some have surrounded themselves with backup singers and rely heavily on their talents to "cover" their inability to sing the tune, others go out center stage and (in their own minds) think they sound as good as they ever did, which is usually not the case. Unlike others, I will name names. George Jones, great entertainer, has surrounded himself with some real talent which makes the price of his ticket viable. Merle Haggard is one that could learn from George Jones. The "voice" is not there anymore. I've also seen many "pop artist" in their prime as well as on the "Casino" circuit. Same thing. Those that surround themselves with young voices to sing with them and back them up are worth the price of the ticket.
Wayne Newton is terrible in person, while the Beach Boys are still fantastic, as long as they don't let Brian Wilson near a microphone. It's a judgement call for each artist that is still out there touring. Some are acceptable and some not. I won't be standing in line for the Spice Girls reunion tour......lol
Look at Loretta Lynn, her Van Lear Rose cd was awesome. I hope she is still making music when she is 80.
That is a double edged sword question. You know, when you really admire an artist that is in thier golden years you want to take advantage of the opportunity to see them live one more time. The sad thing is when you see a performance and you walk away feeling bad for them and no one wants that memory. Such a hard call but you know they are out there because they want to be and if they are selling tickets and people are still enjoying them, they should definitely continue on. I think the fact they are selling ticket tells them that answer, that there are still people out there that want to enjoy seeing them. Personally, for myself, I wouldn't want the last time I saw someone that I admired leave a sad impression but then again, if you really love the artists, that is probably not going to outweigh every bit of enjoyment that you have gotten out of them over many years, much like if it were an elderly person you knew or were close to. would you stop visiting them if they were in the same state?...probably not. I don't think I would say they were making a fool out of themselves. that seems a little cruel but I would feel bad for them.
Ya gotta know when to say enough is enough! and hope that in your life as a country musician you made somewhat of an impact on someones life. I don't see any need for people well into their golden years to be on stage doing what they loved to do. I'm not saying they are not capable anymore, but if you lived out your dream...why try and carry on. As i,m writing this several of my favorite singers come to mind, but yet they can still sing and belt out those tunes. I guess when it all comes down to it, it's all up to that one individual. (GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!!)
You know I have spoken at length about this to other musicians and I feel this way about it. As long as the artist is selling out shows and people want to see him (or her) they should keep doing it if they want. When it gets to the point of embarassement for them (You would hope there family would be a part of this, crowds have dwindled down to nothing or can't remember any of the words, disoriented by lights or any thing like that) or a safety issue of some sort then maybe they should call it quits. We as fans don't just go to see artists perform songs we go to visit with that artist for a moment in time. Just to hear them talk about what ever and do a bunch of tunes is exactly what most die hard fans want from the old guys. We love to hear them ramble because they have good stories to tell. If they are entertaining and not humiliating themselves I say If people are still coming to see them it's because people still love them and want to see them. Let them Rock!
Hey...if it was o.k. for Roy Acuff who not only became kinda tone deaf, but was basically blind as well...then I say GO SENIORS!!!
I played back-up for Ernest Tubb for a few years when he would come to Houston without his band... mostly playing clubs for friends. Most folks came to see the Legend and didn't care that his voice was getting worse. They seemed to want to remember him as he once was and also relive their memories.
I say, let them go as long as they can. Let the people see them. Let them give the audience what they want. No one expects them to be at the top of their game. Let the love of the fan feed the entertainer as it once did.
YOU KNOW I DON'T WANT PITTY MAYBE SHE IS BROKE AND NEEDS THE MONEY, I WOULD NEVER GO ON PAST MY PRIME, I MEAN HELL DON'T MAKE A FOOL OUT OF YOUR SELF!!!
GIVE IT UP