Why do so many old rockers go out on stage sporting a face that looks like a chewed toffee?

[Nikki1989]

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1 y

As much as I love old bands, many bands are just are marketing a memory. It's not about music, it's just grasping for relevance.

[nolabels]

I see where you're going with this question, and I get you, but I include the video below to prove the exception to an oft-cited trope regarding older performers.

Below is a man who gave his all to adoring audiences around the world for his entire adult life, wearing the face that he earned along the way, sharing his love through his music.
I'm sure glad that he did, as are millions of others around the world.
I saw him live in the early 2000s.
His performance then was astoundingly powerful.
He is clearly weakening here, but the emotion and love that pours from his heart is undeniable.
Thanks to Jennifer Warnes for joining Joe in such a wonderful duet.
Do yourself a favor and click on the YT button to watch it in full screen instead of the small format here.
I wonder how many people can view the video below without shedding at least a few tears.
I know that I can't, no matter how many times I see it.

Rest In Peace, Joe, we love you, we thank you.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/U62ptDMCo9c

[Nikki1989]

I am not suggesting for a second all older artists should give up, but obviously some are well past their prime. I saw Whitesnake a few years ago and David Coverdale's voice was nothing short of painful to listen to.

[nolabels]

Hmmm, the question was in regard to the supposedly toffee-like faces of older performers, not their voices, but hey, whatever, I myself veered from the question's topic somewhat.

Like I said at the beginning of my first reply, I get you, and I get the point of your question, but to tell the truth, I don't even know who the four people in your accompanying photo montage are.
Still, I get you.

I've heard of the name Whitesnake, but I have no idea if I've even ever heard their music.
Maybe I have and I just don't know it.
There are a lot of bands that are like that for me.
I'm sorry that your Whitesnake experience was not up to your standards.

As long as people are willing to fork over to hear their favorite old bands, and the old rockers can keep up traveling the road, voices and faces failing or not, I say power to them.

The question just happened to bring my beloved Joe Cocker to mind, and I felt compelled to share him with G@G.
I thought twice before posting it and decided to go ahead and do so.
There may be some people out there who don't know who Joe Cocker was.
That may have changed here today.

We also now know that this David Coverdale guy's voice is apparently failing, too.

Peace to you.

[WindAtMyBack]

Some act their age. Some keep putting on the same stage act long after it starts looking silly. A few can actually pull it off. Some just look retarded.

Singers are a special case. Some keep singing long after their voice gives out. I have a live Paul McCartney CD that is just embarrassing how bad his voice is.

For some reason musicians and actors never retire like everyone else.

[on_my_knees]

I'm not put off by their looks at all. Robert Smith was only attractive for maybe 1-2 albums, anyway.

What does put me off is that their voices have changed and it sounds like a 65 year old man singing a 20 year old's song.

I'm sure Robert Smith could just sing about being a 65 year old man, instead, and it would still sound like the Cure has always sounded:

Oh, I'm feeling old, 65 and cold
The sun sets early, my fire's grown cold
I'm just a silhouette in the evening light
Yearning for the days of endless delight

[purplepoppy]

Old people don't want to go and see the latest band, they want to hear music from their day. Perhaps they missed seeing them live in their youth and now they've one last chance before they die.

One day Swift will hobble on stage and sing about bus passes, nice cups of tea and being dumped for the 500th time, while her audience shouts "speak up dear we can't hear you."

[FenixG45]

Hilarious visual!😂

[exitseven]

I saw the Beach Boys in concert a few years ago. Mike Love was 66 and it was a fun night because it was sort of a sing a long because everyone in the audience knew all the words from songs that went back to the 60s. It was fun but it was sad too because Mike Love actually forgot the words to some of his old hits.

[RetroReviews]

These guys enjoyed a period of time where they was on top when something is so enjoyable and sweet we a lot of times don't want to let go. We want to keep going back to that well even though it's drying up now. It's not easy because we the feelings we experienced were so amazing we want to just hold on even though we're not the same and the world is not the same as it was during they're heyday. So it's hard to bow out gracefully for some and pass the torch

[AviatorTom]

That's what happens when we age... skin wrinkles.

[Nikki1989]

Obviously, but not really the point.

[NathanDavis]

Steven definitely looks like one of my aunts... lol

[Grond21]

They did so many bad things for their health in their hey days that it really did a number on their face. But now they consider that time to be the Glory Days so they're always trying to get back to it

[RedInnocent69]

We all have to pay the rent I suppose. If there’s fan and a market… But I appreciate when artists continue to make new and interesting music then just live off the past, even if it’s not always what the fans want. Dylan is a case in point.

[Southcoastradwolf]

if they want to rock then fair play! look at jagger. his face is like an old mans anus. still struts his shit and enjoys himself aswell as the younger ladies that want a piece of his boney old behind. and theyve been playing the same tunes for about 50 years.

[Minky17]

Japanese rock bands still look youthful. Have you seen Gackt? That is a beautiful ass man 🥵😍

[CubaPirate]

Because they don't know how to retire gracefully

[Nikki1989]

The lure of money is too hard to resist.

[CubaPirate]

Absolutely 💯 %

[Wiredone]

They don't age well but they still go on stage and try to perform like when they were younger just to see if they still got it

[MikeTheBartender]

Ughhhh... Social pressure who knows. Looks terrible

[Huntingnfishin]

I'm not a doctor but I'm willing to bet drugs, acohol, personality disorders, lack of sleep, sexually transmitted diseases and probably things I can't even imagine have added up to rockers looking like shit in the end

[truckgod92]

Because they age.. lol. Still gotta be there for old fans

[dragoblack]

Because of the paparazzi being bullshite, and having to put up with the stress of them stalking their every movement.

[MrGSpotHer]

Wow I think you should have named the faces I've no idea who they are I don't watch channels or news much I just stream a show or movie I like to keep my mind fresh from the advertising and falce media

[TommyMountainFigure]

Sometimes you have to wonder at which end they chewed the toffee!!

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Are you okay? Why are you so angry about musicians continuing their careers?

[BoobMan]

Holy crap! Is that first one Steven Tyler? He really DOES look like someone's grandma!

[Fireguy17]

Because they don't wish to get plastic surgery which fools no one, and many times they look worse.

[Charliefretz329]

Lots of drugs and alcohol

[FenixG45]

Growing old UNGRACEFULLY is NOT cool!