Knowing when to quit

Nankate, Not Everyone is polite on these forums!
Not mentioning any names

A few years ago we went to see Andy Williams - he was about 78 at the time. He came on stage looking small and frail, and I was dreading how he might sound, but then he sang and it took my breath away - the power! Apart from the interval, he sang the whole time and even when they showed video footage of 'that car advert' he sang along to that, too! He was amazing! I should add that I was never a fan, so wasn't expecting to enjoy it at all!

When he did another tour a couple of years later we went to see him again. He was still amazing, but the difference in his voice was obvious compared with the previous concert. I don't think he toured again, he quit while he was ahead.

Don't agree about Tom Jones. I was never a fan but saw him recently on TV and thought he was good. Rod Stewart has changed his act to reflect his age and is still physically fit and has loads of stamina. I think that is what they should all do, recognise that they have changed and act appropriately.

Some people should simply carry on if they are good at it, Dame Gillian Lynne is a great example www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/10755516/Dame-Gillian-Lynne-88-releases-exercise-DVD-for-oldies.html

She is still working and recently recreated a 'lost' ballet which was well recieved.

As an enthusiastic amateur singer I've performed in 60 shows over 30 years. Now I am rehearsing for Made in Dagenham with a company who, with only a few exceptions, are all probably half my age (I'm 75). It's a huge challenge which I find really beneficial - to keep fit enough for the choreography and alert enough to learn and remember lines and music. I dont think any of them would tell me I was a 'blot on the landscape' (to my face) so it's up to me to decide when it's time to quit. I love singing and performing so much that I will find it hard but I know the time is coming - although I hope I'll still be fit enough to stand and deliver good music for a long time even if the dance steps get too much for me.

Doesn't mean they continue for money or a power thing, they just want to .

John Humphries is an excellent interviewer , why should he make way for a younger person.

Never been interested in Bernie Clifton , I am sure the man didn't have dreams of becoming the next big pop star, can it not mean singing to a wide audience was on his bucket list so he did it, good for him .

Why expect people to become invisible when they reach their pension age .

Should the queen retire because she can no longer carry out the duties she did thirty years ago?

Comparing Bruce Forsyth with John Humphries !

'Quit while you're ahead' was always a good motto

Dolly was great at Glastonbury though.
And my DD went to see Elton John recently and thought he was terrific!

Alima I agree with you re Terry Wogan
I think his gentle ironic wittering charm is timeless, but perhaps younger people would disagree and prefer Chris Evans' s loud brashness (mind you, he is no spring chicken).
DH says he doesn't mind TW now that he hasn't seen or heard him for some time lol
But he can't stand CE although I don't mind CE in small doses!

Tom Jones' s voice is still powerful - no reason for him to quit - I didn't like him when I was younger but I do now.
I agree - Paul McC just doesn't have it now (but he never could sing anyway) are people frightened to tell him? Stick to the day job composing.

On the whole, yes! It saddens me that people like John Humphreys and John SImpson, the Dimbleby Bros.however wonderful, are blocking places for someone who might be better than them. There are few enough j obs for young people these days without doddery old people stopping them from joining...

Yes, I'm being ageist, but...

Agreed, annsixty - Paul was my teenage crush and I really loved the Beatles music - still do - however Paul's voice is now weak and reedy and it is almost embarrassing to watch and listen to. Wish that he would stop! He has a wife and family and loads of money...surely it must be time to develop others aspects of his life and keep the singing for close family and friends, at home!

Growing old gracefully is clearly a talent which money can't buy - maybe it's the fear of being 'invisible' which drives these older stars to carry on way beyond the point at which they should be enjoying the show in the audience, not on the stage! After all adulation from the masses must be quite addictive...must be painful to realise that you have had 'your day in the sun'..one can understand how people would want to cling on to that feeling of being the public's darling. How sad for them.

As others have said, David Attenborough does seem to be the exception to the general rule -I always enjoy his programmes.

Paul McCartney, Tom Jines, Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart.... The list goes on. Why do they do it? They don't need the money. It must be a power thing. Sad old men.

I agree, give it up Tommy! We just went to a comedy at the theatre. The actor who was supposed to be flirting and getting dates with nurses, was in his sixties. The role should have gone to a young man. I felt sorry for the actor.

I watched that episode of The Voice, Alima, but only because DS was staying with us for a night and he watches it at home. Bernie Clifton has a programme on our local radio station on Saturdays and i have to say he is very very funny - he is one of the only people who can make me laugh out loud - but i've never heard him sing. I really couldn't see what he was trying to prove.

In a nutshell, Paul McCartney.

I saw Tammy Wynette in Birmingham, in the late 90's. She was helped onto the stage and then a high backed chair for the whole performance which was poor. She died not long after aged 55.

I never watch the voice Alima
I have been a Diana Ross fan since the late '60s and have seen her in concert three times. Sadly, I would not pay to see her again as after the last performance DH and I agreed her voice isn't what it was.
DH and I have seen Billy Connolly several times too, but his illness has really taken it's toll on his performance and age doesn't help, we agreed we wouldn't go and see him again either.

Did anyone see Bernie Clifton on The Voice a couple of weeks ago trying to cut it as a singer? Now that really was sad.

I think every older person, needs a candid friend, who will tell them when to retire gracefully. There is no one size fits all rule, some people can go on forever and remain on top form. Some do not.

DH has always been an enthusiastic (and good) amateur operatic singer. As a tenor he was often cast as the young and handsome hero, but at a certain point, as he reached 45, came the role too far and he put his foot down and said no matter how desperate the casting director was, he would not sing any more handsome hero parts because he simply looked too old. In his 70s he is still singing but limits himself to old men and character roles.

Phew!

You don't have to stand back for flack Alima we are polite to each other on this thread and are allowed to state our own opinions, not like some other threads where the knives are out.

Yes, I think they should retire gracefully,most do of course,but who would replace David Attenborough?I think he's marvellous,(lucky of course as well)
It's different for actors,people come in all ages,so,so should actors.Well,they do,the women that complain about no parts for older women,either don't have talent or they're just unpopular.

I saw Tommy Steele in The Glenn Miller Story a few months ago. I wanted to go because I have always liked him and I love the music. I was not disappointed. Yes he is old but to be fair his role was mostly to narrate the story. It was clear from the audience reaction that he is held in high esteem. I also like Terry Wogan and would much rather listen to him wittering away in the morning than that idiot Chris Evans. (Stands back and waits for the flack).

As Burns said, "O wad some pow'r the giftie gie us to see our selves as others see us"

There is also such a very different situation where women are concerned. Can you imagine a 79 year old woman being engaged to take the lead part in a musical and her "love interest" being a young man?

Yes, they should know when to quit, and the time is not right for David Attenborough to quit yet .

We saw Tommy Steele in Some Like it Hot at our local theatre about 15 years ago. He was absolutely dire then I'm afraid to say. We walked out halfway through.