Thinking about Watts, and I realize that in 5 years, most of these will be gone. I mean, let’s be honest: At threescore and ten, you’re in the zone of statistical danger.
- Bill Wyman the long-retired Rolling Stones bassist, was born in 1936 and turns 85 in October.
- Mick Jagger turned 78 in July, and has concert dates scheduled next month.
- Keith Richards is a year younger at 77, and is presumably also planning to play those shows.
- Ronnie Wood is still the new guy in the Stones, even though he joined 46 years ago. He was born in June of 1947, so he’s a sprightly 74, and will presumably join his mates on the bill next month.
- Paul McCartney, bass & co-lead-songwriter for the Beatles, turned 79 this summer. He released a solo album last December.
- Ringo Starr, the Beatles’ drummer, turned 81 this year.
- Brian Wilson, the only one who mattered in the Beach Boys was born in 1942; he turned 79 this summer. Was still touring when COVID hit.
- Eric Clapton, noted racist and occasional guitarist, was born on the 30th of March 1945, and so rings up at 76.
- Bob Dylan turned 80 this year.
- Steve Winwood was the kid of the 60s bands; he was only 19 when “Gimme Some Lovin'” was a hit for the Spencer Davis Group. Even so, math’s a bitch, as he’s now 73.
- The Kinks’ Davies brothers are in this group, too: Ray was born in 1944, and just turned 77. Baby brother Dave is 74.
- Roger Daltrey turned 77 this year.
- Pete Townshend is a year younger at 76.
- Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel both turn 80 this fall.
We think of these as 70s bands, not 60s bands, and yet they’re not much younger:
The surviving members of Zeppelin are getting up there, too. Jimmy Page is a contemporary of the folks above, born in January of 1944. Plant was famously younger — too young to enter some of the venues Zep played early on — but he turned 73 last week. John Paul Jones is only a year younger, so 75.
70s stalwarts Aerosmith are in statistical danger, too: Steven Tyler is 73; Joe Perry turns 71 next month.
Pink Floyd are actually older as well:
- Nick Mason, b 1944, currently 77
- Roger Waters turns 78 next month
- David Gilmour turned 75 this year