Time sneaks up on us. One minute we're in our teens and 20's, the next minute a decade or two has flown by. It's easy to lose track of time.
Our culture is so youth-oriented. I think it's gotten much worse over the past few years, with the rise of Botox, plastic surgery, and so on. It's ridiculous. There's no way you can remain 25 for the rest of your life. If you have enough money, you can hire the right doctors and surgeons to create the illusion of youth, but at some point it just ends up looking fake (and lame).
In the metal world, youth is worshipped too. But aside from the obvious physical challenges that come with age (loss of hearing, diminished muscle tone and strength, etc.), it's also an attitude problem. I mean, why do some people act as if there's some "magic age" at which you have to turn off the Metallica and start listening to Celine Dion? Give me a break! Metal music is ageless.
Recently I had the privilege to see Anvil's movie. I loved it. One of the things that really struck me is that these guys continue to rock, HARD, in their 50's. They're great - fun, loud, heavy music. But I know there are those who would judge them strictly on the age issue. That comes across in one scene where they're discussing their new album with a record executive. He's obviously very skeptical about the marketability of a metal band that has two members in their 50's. In my opinion, he's missing the point - the music. (Oh, and Robb the drummer - yow!)
My main thought is that you should always stay true to who you are. That includes musical taste. People that judge metalheads based on their age, or waistline, or whatever, are idiots. The music transcends it all. Who cares if you have more years, or wrinkles, or gray hair, or pounds than you did when you were rockin' out at concerts at age 20?
There are many examples of kick-ass rockers in their later years - Rob Halford, Ronnie James Dio, Anvil, Girlschool, Iron Maiden, AC/DC - the list goes on. Anyone who thinks metal has an expiration date can eat it - Metal is forever, no matter what your age!
Our culture is so youth-oriented. I think it's gotten much worse over the past few years, with the rise of Botox, plastic surgery, and so on. It's ridiculous. There's no way you can remain 25 for the rest of your life. If you have enough money, you can hire the right doctors and surgeons to create the illusion of youth, but at some point it just ends up looking fake (and lame).
In the metal world, youth is worshipped too. But aside from the obvious physical challenges that come with age (loss of hearing, diminished muscle tone and strength, etc.), it's also an attitude problem. I mean, why do some people act as if there's some "magic age" at which you have to turn off the Metallica and start listening to Celine Dion? Give me a break! Metal music is ageless.
Recently I had the privilege to see Anvil's movie. I loved it. One of the things that really struck me is that these guys continue to rock, HARD, in their 50's. They're great - fun, loud, heavy music. But I know there are those who would judge them strictly on the age issue. That comes across in one scene where they're discussing their new album with a record executive. He's obviously very skeptical about the marketability of a metal band that has two members in their 50's. In my opinion, he's missing the point - the music. (Oh, and Robb the drummer - yow!)
My main thought is that you should always stay true to who you are. That includes musical taste. People that judge metalheads based on their age, or waistline, or whatever, are idiots. The music transcends it all. Who cares if you have more years, or wrinkles, or gray hair, or pounds than you did when you were rockin' out at concerts at age 20?
There are many examples of kick-ass rockers in their later years - Rob Halford, Ronnie James Dio, Anvil, Girlschool, Iron Maiden, AC/DC - the list goes on. Anyone who thinks metal has an expiration date can eat it - Metal is forever, no matter what your age!
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