Some Days I Don't Feel Quite So Old

In the Calendar section of today's Los Angeles Times, Mick Jagger is shown sweating. and no doubt feeling pretty damned good, after a performance...still skinny, fit and hip. There's also a picture of Keith Richards, almost impossibly thin and cadaverous looking, pulling himself and his aging knees down low while deep dipping his guitar. That he's still alive is a credit to good genes, nothing more. His face is etched deep and almost geographic looking...some main rivers and a million tributaries. He can still deep dip, though..

Here are some interesting stats of performers whose L.A. area shows are just on the horizon:

The Rolling Stones: Average age (61). Last big hit, "Start me Up" (1981). Top ticket price in L.A. $454

Paul McCartney: Age (63). Last big hit, "Say, Say Say" (1983). Top ticket price in L.A. $259

The Eagles: Average age (57). Last big hit, "The Long Run" (1979). Top ticket price in L.A. $175

U2: Average age (57). Last big hit "Vertigo" (2004). Top ticket price in L.A. $171

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers: Average age (54). Last big hit "Free Fallin'" (1989). Top ticket price in L.A. $68.50

John Mellencamp: Age (53). Last big hit "Wild Night" (1994). Top ticket price $130.

John Fogerty: Age (60). Last big hit, "Centerfield" (1985). Top ticket price in L.A. $130.

Neil Diamond: Age (64). Last big hit, "America" (1981). Top ticket price $95.

James Taylor: Age (57). Last big hit, "Handy Man" (1977), Top ticket price $158


The only reason Dylan and Springsteen aren't on this list is because they're not playing any big concerts around here this summer.

In 1965, I drove to Baltimore, Maryland (from DC so no great distance) to see Dylan play his first electric tour, solo. The audience went ballistic and acted all betrayed and hurt by Dylan's perceived sell-out to electricity. Curious, I thought. A year later I saw him perform with The Band. There was a raw, exciting energy to that show.

And he's still an original. Of all these older performers, only Dylan, U2, Springsteen and Neil Young don't rely on their old standards in concert. They may throw one in to get the audience stirred, but they're still primarily creating, not recreating...good role models for me.