Should rockers who can’t sing anymore still be touring?

[Apple_Robert]

I haven't been to a concert in years. The last time was "The Eagles, Hell Freezes over" tour and it was like listening to the CD. It was one of the best concerts I have ever been to, outside of seeing Billy Joel in 79 or 80 and the RUSH "Moving Pictures" tour.

While I appreciate the body of work many of our favorites from the past have put forth, I wouldn't go see them today, for many of the same reasons already mentioned.

I get that the rockers like the rush (pun intended) of being on stage in front of a large crowd. I did the same thing for many years. And for many, it gets to be an addiction. Those guys know they don't have what it takes any more but, I think the addiction to the stage is so strong, they keep touring. They don't want to be forgotten. It is hard for them to let go because they have wrapped their self-identity into performing.

 

[bradl]

I will say this. A couple of years ago, Def Leppard, as well as Vivian Campbell's Dio tribute band Last in Line (every member of that band was in Dio's band) were performing while on their cruise. Their bassist (Last in Line) died on that cruise, while Joe Elliot had a severe case of laryngitis, and absolutely could not sing. The good thing about that show and that also shows that DL doesn't use backing tracks is that Joe came out, introduced the band, told everyone that he would not be singing, but that other singers have offered to help them get through the show, and that everyone there would be given a free ticket to see them play live anywhere in the world (they kept true to that; they had the passenger manifest).

But what proves it is that the first song they played was Hysteria. Viv sang the first verse, with Rick Savage and Phil Collen singing backing vocals (side note: Viv has a cleaner Bryan Adams sound to his voice), and Phil sang the next 2 verses. For them to trade off like that shows that they can truly do it. In fact, here's the clip:

But I get it on both sides. Musicians created the standard that fans hold them to, which is what they put to tape when they recorded the songs. But is it fair for those fans to hold them to that standard 40-50 years on? that's harsh. I mean, Barry Gibb is the last of the Bee Gees. can people still expect him, pushing northward of 80, to still hit those falsetto notes in Stayin' Alive? That's a lot to ask.

Now however on the other side of that, we are seeing the results of the lifestyles some musicians have lived, as already mentioned above. That's why you see a lot of them now hiring vocal coaches to get their voices back into shape, as they never thought about that as a necessity to sing. A lot of them could use that now.

Now to buck that trend, you have to also look to someone like Tony Bennett. The guy was in his 90s and sounding like he was in his 60s, and that sounded like his 30s. Whatever he was doing was something singers should set the bar on, because while his songs were pop standards, they worked and were timeless.

I fear for what will happen when emo bands, pop/punk bands, and the like get into their 60s and are wanting to do the same, when they really couldn't do it when they started.

BL.

 

[iObama]

Well shoot, I didn't know that. Well, to be fair, it doesn't change a lot for me as it worked and worked really well when we saw them.

Yeah, they're straight up lip-syncing on this tour haha. Been a diehard fan for years and years. Stopped seeing them in 2012 'cause Paul's vocals got so bad that it ruined the show.

After having seen some videos of the shows in 2019 where Paul's voice was coming from the speakers while he was 10 feet away from the mic, I decided to buy tickets and had a grand ol' time ?

 

[TheIntruder]

Barney is 66 years old. That, in turn, makes me feel really, really old.

I try not to see legacy bands unless I hadn't seen them already back in the day. The last time I saw New Order was in 2013, and it was probably the best set I'd ever seen them play despite Barney's diminished vocal abilities. They seem to be releasing enough live albums, documentaries, and concert videos nowadays — no need to actually go see them in person!

Only time I've seen them live was in 1987, on the same bill as Gene Loves Jezebel and Echo & the Bunnymen. Some dubbed it the modern rock version of the Monsters of Rock tour that was the thing at the time.

Even then, his vocal abilities weren't great, and it kinda put a damper on my enthusiasm for the band, knowing their limitations as a live outfit. Gene was ok, but Echo played the best set, in between Mac taking drags from his cigarettes and other musings.

 

[DarthVader!]

It’s a shame though

They want too, and fans are willing to see them, who are you to dictate what they should or shouldn't do?

Don't like it, then don't buy a concert ticket - simple.

Maybe, just maybe some of them enjoy going on out on the road and connecting with their fans

 

[44267547]

They want too, and fans are willing to see them, who are you to dictate what they should or shouldn't do?

Don't like it, then don't buy a concert ticket - simple.

Maybe, just maybe some of them enjoy going on out on the road and connecting with their fans

I suspect she (‘Rogifan’/OP) is somebody that is considerably older, and doesn’t really have a grasp of understanding that rock bands/lead singers still perform knowingly that they’re not in their ‘Prime’ per se, but they do it/perform…. because it’s all they know.

And in this thread, you’ll see a lot of linked videos of poor performances from these vocalists, but in the same respect; there are thousands of people attending these events. The people that are in this very thread, are just a very small minority of naysayers primarily saying that these lead vocalists shouldn’t perform, but the mass support from fans frequenting these concert say otherwise. And as I said, in the end, if they’re selling tickets and people are having fun, that’s all that matters.

 

[Silencio]

Only time I've seen them live was in 1987, on the same bill as Gene Loves Jezebel and Echo & the Bunnymen. Some dubbed it the modern rock version of the Monsters of Rock tour that was the thing at the time.

Even then, his vocal abilities weren't great, and it kinda put a damper on my enthusiasm for the band, knowing their limitations as a live outfit. Gene was ok, but Echo played the best set, in between Mac taking drags from his cigarettes and other musings.

Yes, that tour was also the first time I saw New Order live. I remember they had some technical issues, with Barney berating the engineer for getting the audio levels all wrong. The Bunnymen's set was much better. Nobody had any time for GLJ — they got pelted with rolls of toilet paper.

 

[Huntn]

This is footage of a recent Bon Jovi show in Raleigh, NC. Jon clearly can’t sing anymore, even with the songs tuned down considerably. I think it’s embarrassing and sad that he’s charging decent money for this. But as long as people keep buying tickets I suppose legacy artists will keep doing it. It’s a shame though. You’d think Jon would be embarrassed at how bad he sounds.

Here’s another example. Vince Neil at a 2022 Mötley show. ?

I heard Billy Joel in a recent performance and he seems to have lost his voice, at least the range he had in his hay day.

To answer the thread’s questions, the answer is “no“.

 

[BotchQue]

I had to find this thread and post, again, because I ran across this video of my 2nd-favorite band of all time, Level 42. I'm not sure how old the two main members are, Mark King (bass/lead vox) or Mike Lindup (keys/backing vox), but just look at their necks; they're older than me.
I'm pretty good at spotting lip-syncing/backup tracks, and this looks pretty much live to me.
And they are spot-on. Good enough to be recording in the studio. This is a band that don't need to worry about retiring, yet. Its all about professionalism, training, and taking care of yourself.

 

[Rogifan]

I had to find this thread and post, again, because I ran across this video of my 2nd-favorite band of all time, Level 42. I'm not sure how old the two main members are, Mark King (bass/lead vox) or Mike Lindup (keys/backing vox), but just look at their necks; they're older than me.
I'm pretty good at spotting lip-syncing/backup tracks, and this looks pretty much live to me.
And they are spot-on. Good enough to be recording in the studio. This is a band that don't need to worry about retiring, yet. Its all about professionalism, training, and taking care of yourself.

I only know the one hit they had in the US in the ‘80s - Something About You. Always loved that song.

 

[bradl]

I only know the one hit they had in the US in the ‘80s - Something About You. Always loved that song.

Something About You was huge. Lessons in Love was huge. They had one more hit off of that album, then faded into obscurity in the US in the 80s.

Similar to what happened with Crowded House; however, Crowded House had 2 more albums that were huge everywhere except the US, then their Farewell to the World show (their last show ever with all original members) at the Sydney Opera House in 1996. Since then, their drummer died, got a new drummer, started touring again, and Neil Finn also plays with Fleetwood Mac.

BL.

 

[MacGizmo]

There are some bands that I just can't listen to anymore because it ruins the love I have for the songs they sang when they were in their prime. Thankfully, there are some great artists that cover the originals, like Lzzy Hale (Halestorm) who did an entire album of cover songs featuring AC/DC, Heart, and more.

I like her version better than the original AC/DC Shoot to Thrill:

Bringing the "rock" to a more mellow 80s tune:

 

[TechRunner]

A friend who loved the Moody Blues back in the day dragged me to one of their concerts, and the lead singer lost his voice halfway through the second song. The bass player took over vocals, and it was really bad. We left after the fourth song. But I felt I had gotten my money's worth, because the guy opening for them, a dude I had never heard of until that night, just blew me away.

His name? Stevie Ray Vaughan.

 

[skottichan]

I mostly see newer bands now a days, but the last nostalgia concert I've went to was Dir En Grey at the Gramercy (2019) and I have to say, Kyo's voice is still amazing.

 

[Rogifan]

Something About You was huge. Lessons in Love was huge. They had one more hit off of that album, then faded into obscurity in the US in the 80s.

Similar to what happened with Crowded House; however, Crowded House had 2 more albums that were huge everywhere except the US, then their Farewell to the World show (their last show ever with all original members) at the Sydney Opera House in 1996. Since then, their drummer died, got a new drummer, started touring again, and Neil Finn also plays with Fleetwood Mac.

BL.

I loved all those 80s bands. In fact one of my favorite 80s bands was Tears for Fears. Are they still a thing and touring?

 

[Silencio]

I loved all those 80s bands. In fact one of my favorite 80s bands was Tears for Fears. Are they still a thing and touring?

Oddly enough, TFF just released a new album a couple of months ago. Curt and Roland are back together again, and it sounds pretty good!

Looks like they're touring the US in May and June.

 

[bradl]

I loved all those 80s bands. In fact one of my favorite 80s bands was Tears for Fears. Are they still a thing and touring?

Oh yeah! TFF just dropped a new album called The Tipping Point. The title track was released as the opening single, and is hauntingly beautiful. It even features that classic shuffle beat from Everybody Wants to Rule the World, even though the song is about the dealing with the oncoming death of Roland Orzabal's wife from alcoholism. In fact, here:

As mentioned before, they are supposed to tour the US this summer. Oh, and yes, they can still sing; in fact, they haven't lost a beat.

BL.

 

[rhett7660]

Vince may be ok. He quit drinking in the 80's, golfs all the time and seems to have kept in reasonable shape. Please give us your post show opinion.

Here is my obs on both Alice and Ace, Ace Frehley was the opening act, both sounded really good. However, I noticed parts that were out of the range of the singers, they didn't even attempt to sing them, and the other musicians, whether the bassist or other guitar players, sang those lines and it all worked out good. Ace actually messed up a few times and he even called himself out on it. All and all, great show and we had a great time.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Here is my obs on both Alice and Ace, Ace Frehley was the opening act, both sounded really good. However, I noticed parts that were out of the range of the singers, they didn't even attempt to sing them, and the other musicians, whether the bassist or other guitar players, sang those lines and it all worked out good. Ace actually messed up a few times and he even called himself out on it. All and all, great show and we had a great time.

Glad to hear it was a good experience. My one and only time seeing Alice was the Welcome to My Nightmare tour in 1975.

 

[rhett7660]

Glad to hear it was a good experience. My one and only time seeing Alice was the Welcome to My Nightmare tour in 1975.

Holy smokes... That was a long time ago. He still puts on a pretty good show!!! Ace on the other hand, the dude had no energy at all. He barely moved.

 

[satcomer]

I haven't been to a concert in years. The last time was "The Eagles, Hell Freezes over" tour and it was like listening to the CD. It was one of the best concerts I have ever been to, outside of seeing Billy Joel in 79 or 80 and the RUSH "Moving Pictures" tour.

While I appreciate the body of work many of our favorites from the past have put forth, I wouldn't go see them today, for many of the same reasons already mentioned.

I get that the rockers like the rush (pun intended) of being on stage in front of a large crowd. I did the same thing for many years. And for many, it gets to be an addiction. Those guys know they don't have what it takes any more but, I think the addiction to the stage is so strong, they keep touring. They don't want to be forgotten. It is hard for them to let go because they have wrapped their self-identity into performing.

The old Music contacts were not better than serfdom, that's why some bands do live concerts because thefts the only way they get paid for their own songs! That's why most bands take a tour, to get money to pay back the masters that own their music library! When they grow old it's all they do do to eat because they oh money to their drug masters!

 

[Expos of 1969]

The old Music contacts were not better than serfdom, that's why some bands do live concerts because thefts the only way they get paid for their own songs! That's why most bands take a tour, to get money to pay back the masters that own their music library! When they grow old it's all they do do to eat because they oh money to their drug masters!

Possibly true in some cases.

 

[Charcoalwerks]

This is footage of a recent Bon Jovi show in Raleigh, NC. Jon clearly can’t sing anymore, even with the songs tuned down considerably. I think it’s embarrassing and sad that he’s charging decent money for this. But as long as people keep buying tickets I suppose legacy artists will keep doing it. It’s a shame though. You’d think Jon would be embarrassed at how bad he sounds.

Here’s another example. Vince Neil at a 2022 Mötley show. ?

Vince Meal

 

[Macative]

I think Paul McCartney still sings in the original key but struggles a bit. There’s are probably some songs where he should tune down a half step. Of course you can’t tune down too much otherwise it totally changes the song.

Tuning down at all completely changes the song, but maybe not to some ears.

 

[Macative]

No, they should hang it up. So many of them sound BAD. Really bad. Though, some of them never really sounded that good live to begin with.