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"Too old to rock and roll, too young to die." Jethro Tull said it best in a song title, and now it describes them as well as most of our former rock heroes. I am not wishing extinction on any of these rock gods (although many certainly are dinosaurs) but I have no interest in seeing them try to channel their younger selves in live shows any longer.

With newer, more vital, and more relevant acts on stage, why watch Steven Tyler do his Mick Jagger impression for the thousandth time, or watch Mick Jagger do his Mick Jagger impression for the ten thousandth time?

Jay Leno once said that the Stones would soon be embarking on their "Ask Me About My Grandkids" tour, and that was well over 10 years ago! Do we really want to see a face-lifted Paul McCartney singing Maybe I'm Amazed? What does he have to be amazed about anymore? Maybe that his ugly divorce cost him so little of his massive fortune.

Clearly hearing Paul do a Beatle song would bring a certain thrill, but hearing him sing his horrible solo songs (and most have been) would not be worth the outrageous ticket prices. I think the real Paul did die in the 60's. Remember, the Walrus was Paul!

But this debate doesn't really come down to age, but to the relevancy I mentioned earlier. Is there any artistry left? Can the band, or person, still make worthwhile and compelling music? Too many aging superstars can't or don't. Certainly there are exceptions: Neil Young is relevant, ever-changing and is making great music into his sixties. CSNY however - too old to rock and roll, and some of them have nearly died.

Bruce Springsteen raised his relevancy quotient immensely with the brilliant Magic album, although he is always challenging himself and his audience. U2 and Tom Petty remain relevant, but the Stones, the Who (what's left of them), Fleetwood Mac, McCartney, Aerosmith , Ringo Starr, the Eagles, and so many others need to just give it a rest. Who can blame any of them though, for mining gold from fans who no longer want to be challenged, but are content to relive their adolescence?

If, as a fan, you've reached the "too old to..." plateau, expand your horizons. Go see Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova from the brilliant film Once, or My Chemical Romance or Vampire Weekend or Panic at the Disco, but please do not go see the latest reformulated version of the Doors.

It is heartwarming that we maintain affection for the heroes of our childhood, but after all they have done for us, they deserve some rest. Irrelevant former rock gods (and goddesses) rest in peace!

Learn more about this author, Roger Kraemer.
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