In Reply to: are audiences too hard on aging legends? posted by Green Lantern on April 8, 2014 at 06:15:35:
We saw both Ray Charles and James Brown on what turned out to be their last tours. We knew before buying tickets that neither of them were well. Brown in particular did a short set with very few of his famous dance moves. But we didn't expect any splits. For us it was a last chance to see an icon. We wished he could have given us more but were happy nonetheless.
Charles, on the other hand, though obviously not strong, gave a stellar performance for well over an hour. I had read of his condition and knew he was in pain but he didn't let it show. But for most of his career he performed from a piano, much less taxing physically. Somehow the showman in him was able to transcend the physical and it was one of the most thrilling shows I ever saw.
Best-dressed audience ever too! Probably 5 million dollars worth of clothing at the Paramount Theatre.
B.B. King we saw about 15 years ago; he stood for the first number, then said "hey y'all, I'm old so I'm going to sit down." He let his young guitarist do a lot of the work, but played the famous solos from his well-known tunes. No complaints from me...
So, varying experiences, but nonetheless worth it to me. We've walked out of other shows from much younger artists because the music wasn't happening. But they weren't personal favorite "legends."
Oh, and it was TV, but watched the Moody Blues on (I think) AXS a couple years back. They had a second younger drummer. Edge played throughout but laid back while the young guy worked up a sweat in the first few tunes. Then he lit into it and showed what a real drummer can do! I thought "smart, save your strength for the tricky stuff!"
Best,
Mike27
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Follow Ups
- RE: are audiences too hard on aging legends? - Mike27 20:21:32 04/08/14 (0)