Age and Music… Does It Matter?

In an article I wrote about Pine Hill back in September, I mentioned a line from Ringo Starr, the famous Beatle.  He said and I quote, “If you are over the age of 30 and just starting in rock music, you probably won’t make it.”  Since that quote came from a very famous, seasoned musician it is sad but many rising stars believe this and don’t follow their passion.  So I am here to ask, does age matter in rock?

When you look at all different kinds of music genres, I can see that this statement could apply in some and not in others.  If you look at pop music or better known as “popular music,” you will see that this genre usually attracts a younger crowd.  The more notable names of pop music would be: Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, The Jonas Brothers, N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, and other such phenoms.  The younger generation flocks to them not just because of their voices, but because of their “hotness.” 

Pop music focuses on looks more than anything else.  This kind of music is all about sex and how sex sells.  Britney Spears is an example to this.  She got out on stage in a bikini and danced with a snake.  Now tell me, do the youth want to see a 40 year old man or woman do that?  No, that is unappealing to the kids of today.  So, in the light of pop music, I would say that age does matter because it is more of a fad than anything else.  Just ask groups like N’Sync and The Backstreet Boys who grew up. Their sex appeal became less pronounced with the teens and tweens of today.  In turn, this led to them breaking up and trying more adult contemporary music.

Rock, R & B, Jazz and other similar kinds of music, I don’t see age to have a major influence.  Rock is just that, rock music.  People go out to head bang, thrash and crunk.  They aren’t there to see how sexy the lead singer is, or the rest of the band.  They just want to rock out.  Probably that is why Mic Jagger, Ringo Starr, Metallica and all those names keep on rocking.  Similarly, that is why the rock bands from the 60s through the 80s are still touring, while the pop artists are trying to redefine themselves. 

R&B, Jazz, Soul and music of this kind of genre tend to have a more adult sound to it anyway.  Adults realize that it’s about the music, but do take into consideration the sex factor.  The sex factor does not determine if they will buy the artist’s CD, the music does. 

Sure, if you are a star, everyone will compare you. People will fall for you and think you are sexy as it comes with the game.  The impact it has on your career falls upon the genre you play and if you are not in pop music, then I feel that you really have nothing to worry about.  I feel that Ringo’s words fall harsh and unnecessary because it shouldn’t be about the looks of the singer, but the music they produce.  Age, however, may play a part on a musician’s endorsements such as underwear ads, but that doesn’t mean someone won’t pick them up to endorse something else.

My advice is to be who you are, show your talent and don’t worry about what people think about your looks.  It’s your music they came to listen to,  so don’t let your looks or your age stop you from your talents.  If you love yourself, the fans will see this and love your music.  It’s that simple, and that same advice can be applied to anything you do.