10-06-2017, 05:11 PM
(10-05-2017, 02:03 PM)beechnut79 Wrote:(10-05-2017, 12:46 PM)pbrower2a Wrote:(10-05-2017, 11:18 AM)Eric the Green Wrote: Excellent point. Maybe rock stars can learn a thing or two from those within the longer classical musical tradition. It is not a given that rock stars must take drugs, eat poorly, or not stop touring even when the pressure becomes too much.
Of course, comparing rock stars to conductors and performers may not be totally fair. Rock musicians are frequently the creators of music today (although the music is usually not as good, from a refined and educated point of view), whereas the most apt comparison might be to classical composers. Rock n roll and jazz artists apparently have a tradition of drugs and/or alcohol to release inhibitions and open themselves to inspiration as well as to relieve pressure.
In the old days classical composers tended to die young. And they are still the best composers in the tradition, although society was less healthy than today. One of the best composers of recent times, though, Alan Hovhannes, lived to be 89. Harold Shapero lived to be 93.
Does Igor Stravinsky count as 'recent'? He died when we were teenagers.
Conducting is a mildly-athletic activity which conductors don't usually give up (other musicians tend to go that way, as Perlman is doing). Although vigorous physical exercise such as running is really good for extending a lifetime, and I might note that one of the best identities for living to an advanced age is "Old Order Amish" -- they have practically no white-collar or sedentary jobs, and men and women both do heavy work for a long time.
But yes, avoid drugs and cancerweed, drink in moderation if at all, don't sleep with everything that moves, keep physically active, get adequate rest, and avoid junk food. If I am to guess which rock star is to live to age 90 who is now about 70 -- try Mick Jagger. It also helps to be intelligent enough to find meaning in life even in tough times (ask me!), and some of those rockers really are brilliant people. And let us not forget how surprised we were to find not that Chick Berry died, but instead that he was 90. We have few early rockers yet in their 80's. I think that Paul McCartney will get there.
One can age oneself quickly with cocaine. Think of Whitney Houston. I can only imagine what her heart (the organ) was like -- probably nonagenarian for all practical purposes. But the old perils for composers were much the same as those for most people at the time -- largely infectious diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Handel, Haydn, Verdi, Sibelius, and Vaughan-Williams lived to ripe old ages.
Of course there are notable exceptions in the rock field. Chuck Berry lived to 90. Kristofferson has now passed 80 and Dylan is well into his 70s. Are they the exceptions to the rule; probably not. He wasn't really a rocker, but Pete Seeger lived to 94.
Keith Richards is 73. Jerry Lee Lewis is 82. Little Richard is 84.