When do you think you're too old to "make it"?

[musichead]

When you're dead... oh... no, maybe I'm wrong, look at Jeff Buckley... he made it
FROM HIS GRAVE!!! you are too old to make it when you'd rather have a family
meeting with your aunt and nephews than a rockording session...
you are too old to make it when you'd rather watch football than recording...
now, the question is... is there ever a time when you are TOO YOUNG to make it?
cause i tell ya, I've seen many kids get hit by fame and all they do is one so so album
and then get stoned to death... i guess it's scary not knowing what you want in life
and having millions of people follow your every single erratic behaviour.

[bradzoot]

Originally Posted by musichead

When you're dead... oh... no, maybe I'm wrong, look at Jeff Buckley... he made it
FROM HIS GRAVE!!! you are too old to make it when you'd rather have a family
meeting with your aunt and nephews than a rockording session...
you are too old to make it when you'd rather watch football than recording...
now, the question is... is there ever a time when you are TOO YOUNG to make it?
cause i tell ya, I've seen many kids get hit by fame and all they do is one so so album
and then get stoned to death... i guess it's scary not knowing what you want in life
and having millions of people follow your every single erratic behaviour.

Excellent point,well put. (just look what happened to Michael Jackson)

[musichead]

Originally Posted by bradzoot

Excellent point,well put. (just look what happened to Michael Jackson)

Michael who? You know, there's millions of theories about Paul is Dead and
shit... the current Jackson looks like a bad clone taking over the king of pop.

Anyhow, being a freak might be the ultimate work of art... since it seems he
cannot make music anymore, he's been working hard at being as weird as he
can... i bet Warhol would love what he's done to his face...

So, if showbusiness is a circus, let us be freaks, but remember to toss in one
or two good songs per album (does anyone still buy records?), you know, one
ballad, one dance hit song and one heavy rock song and 9 filler tracks, each
three minutes long, if you feel like playing prog rock, make it three minutes
and a half.

One last thought, you are too old to make it when you have been trying to
act normal for so long that you dare not be strange enough. Paradoxically,
you are too old to make it WHEN YOU MAKE IT... cause that's when you get
old and start writing safe songs, unless you have some deeper conflict with
yourself and being rich is not enough to be satisfied... but most people seem
happy with pleasing crowds and owning an island in Dubai.

I'd rather focus on being TOO ODD to make it. But that would be good.
If you can live from art without walking red carpets and reading thankyou
lists with a grammy in your hands, YOU'VE MADE IT. Just stick around long
enough without getting involved in MTV and people will consider you legend.

Otherwise, you'll get played to death and chewn and spit like 90% hit singles.

On the other hand, wouldn't it be swell not to worry about the bills? Just
keep your hands (and tongues) off minors and you'll be ok. If you want your
name on the papers, just throw your shoes at someone when the cameras
are on.

[izzme]

I think for meWilly Nelson's birthday qoute might give you a clue as to when you may be too old to make it or at least to matter much. He said" I have outlived my dick"!!

[nippecraft]

Music is music, regardless of how young or old you are. Just the thought that you've created your own music, man, I'd say you've already made it. Not everyone can say that they can write songs, they could try but it's not for everyone. Now when you define "making it" as getting popularity, fame, wealth, the works. That's a whole different ballgame, but still I don't see any age limit taped on popularity. If you think that your music is good and a mainstream material, shoots, send it out there!

[dealio432]

Originally Posted by musichead

When you're dead... oh... no, maybe I'm wrong, look at Jeff Buckley... he made it
FROM HIS GRAVE!!! you are too old to make it when you'd rather have a family
meeting with your aunt and nephews than a rockording session...
you are too old to make it when you'd rather watch football than recording...
now, the question is... is there ever a time when you are TOO YOUNG to make it?
cause i tell ya, I've seen many kids get hit by fame and all they do is one so so album
and then get stoned to death... i guess it's scary not knowing what you want in life
and having millions of people follow your every single erratic behaviour.

I agree. My goal is to produce music that will be appreciated from the grave. Curtis Mayfield is more popular now than when he was producing hit after hit while alive. Look at pac, gone at 25. Go onling chech out lil Willie John, big time singer, died in prison. Sam Cooke was really on his way to producing his own sounds, when he died needlessly. I want some of that without even having to die for it. Look at JFK, and MLK, they never scratched the surface of their greatness. They may have been too young. We never get too old, unless we decide. Curtis last cd was produced flat on his belly, after being paralyzed. I want to have voice, and it's not dishonorable to want to be compensated, but a million people may depend upon our words for peace, happiness and freedom. Set 'em free. Too, much info?

[BillyShears]

Instead of the idea of "making it" does anyone think that there comes a time when you just don't make music as good as you once did? I was thinking about the fact (for what I listen to anyway) that an artist in their 40's and 50's doesn't write as well as they did in their 20's and 30's (Paul McCartney being a perfect example). Obviously they don't have the same enthusiasm as they did when they were younger so that would play a big part but is there more to it?

[Cailyn]

Originally Posted by BillyShears

Instead of the idea of "making it" does anyone think that there comes a time when you just don't make music as good as you once did? I was thinking about the fact (for what I listen to anyway) that an artist in their 40's and 50's doesn't write as well as they did in their 20's and 30's (Paul McCartney being a perfect example). Obviously they don't have the same enthusiasm as they did when they were younger so that would play a big part but is there more to it?

Hmm, I don't think this is always true. Paul McCartney never wrote anything decent after the Beatles IMO. On the other hand, Beethoven wrote his best music in his 50's. A lot of mature artists produce their best work later in life. I think it less likely to be groundbreaking stuff though--Beethoven again being an exception to that "rule", if there is such a rule. Clapton has become more polished as a songwriter over the years but his guitar playing was never very interesting after Derek and the Dominoes.

In general, younger artists seem more willing to take chances, break rules, do something different whereas older artists have honed their skills to a high degree and produce highly polished works generally within their genre.

Enthusiasm is probably the wrong word. Hungry might be closer to the truth. Young artists tend to be hungrier in many senses of the word and I think some established players become complacent and turn out complacent work.

I don't think age is a barrier to anything except in areas of music where image is as important or more important than the music.

[dealio432]

Originally Posted by Cailyn

Hmm, I don't think this is always true. Paul McCartney never wrote anything decent after the Beatles IMO. On the other hand, Beethoven wrote his best music in his 50's. A lot of mature artists produce their best work later in life. I think it less likely to be groundbreaking stuff though--Beethoven again being an exception to that "rule", if there is such a rule. Clapton has become more polished as a songwriter over the years but his guitar playing was never very interesting after Derek and the Dominoes.

In general, younger artists seem more willing to take chances, break rules, do something different whereas older artists have honed their skills to a high degree and produce highly polished works generally within their genre.

Enthusiasm is probably the wrong word. Hungry might be closer to the truth. Young artists tend to be hungrier in many senses of the word and I think some established players become complacent and turn out complacent work.

I don't think age is a barrier to anything except in areas of music where image is as important or more important than the music.

I dont think there are barriers or limitations, none. That is true for me. But, someone else make think that there are. What's true for them is their truth. I wouldn't be writing if I thought it was too late. I am in that window, but I refuse to give up on my dreams I started late But I work at it everyday. I also haven't proved that I can" do it yet either. I am not trying to make it I am just being me. Do I want success,? yes. I want to be successfulin this, my chosen area of life.

[dealio432]

Originally Posted by dealio432

I dont think there are barriers or limitations, none. That is true for me. But, someone else make think that there are. What's true for them is their truth. I wouldn't be writing if I thought it was too late. I am in that window, but I refuse to give up on my dreams I started late But I work at it everyday. I also haven't proved that I can" do it yet either. I am not trying to make it I am just being me. Do I want success,? yes. I want to be successfulin this, my chosen area of life.

I am trying to finish one song and copyright it so I can get out there. As a former d.jay for 25 years I believe and hopethat I have the ear. am definitely old school with a few twists. I have very narrow parameters. That would be a first level of success. I just want to be out where the whole world can here me and decide how they like me. Is that cool? It is difficult and scary.