Having witnessed the last date on the last ever Andy Williams tour last night (in Nottingham, though he continues to perform at his own theatre in Missouri), and in the light of the death of George Melly, I was wondering which other pre-rock stars were still out there, performing regularly.
My criteria: they must have made their professional debut before 1955, in a musical genre which pre-dates rock and roll.
My list thus far:
Humphrey Lyttleton (86) Tony Bennett (80) Cleo Laine & John Dankworth (both 79) Al Martino (79) Andy Williams (79) James Last (78) Ornette Coleman (77) Debbie Reynolds (75) Petula Clark (75)
I’m ruling out:
Rolf Harris (77) – a TV presenter before 1955, but didn’t debut as a singer until the late 1950s. George Jones (76) - debuted around 1955/56. Shirley Bassey (70) – made her debut in 1956, aged 19. Jack Jones (69) - debuted in 1957, also aged 19.
Who else should go on the list? There cann't be too many left...
― mike t-diva, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:20 (3 years ago) Permalink
I was gonna say Roger Williams, but the AMG sez he too started in '55.
― C. Grisso/McCain, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:28 (3 years ago) Permalink
Patti Page is 80. Her first album was in '51.
― C. Grisso/McCain, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:30 (3 years ago) Permalink
Chris Barber (77)
a jazz trombonist who led his first band in 1949.
― Grandpont Genie, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:32 (3 years ago) Permalink
Les Paul still plays every week in NYC, right?
― tylerw, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:33 (3 years ago) Permalink
Al Martino's still alive? Whoa.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:34 (3 years ago) Permalink
The Beverley Sisters (78/75/75) are still going, just.
― woofwoofwoof, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:34 (3 years ago) Permalink
Ray Price signed with Columbia in 1951.
― C. Grisso/McCain, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:35 (3 years ago) Permalink
Go Patti! Alhough she doesn't turn 80 until November.
I'm particularly wondering about country artists...
― mike t-diva, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:36 (3 years ago) Permalink
Ralph Stanley is 80
― C. Grisso/McCain, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:38 (3 years ago) Permalink
Bobby Bland BB King Texas Johnny Brown
― novamax, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:41 (3 years ago) Permalink
Pete Seeger is 88.
― C. Grisso/McCain, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:42 (3 years ago) Permalink
Sonny Rollins is 76.
― 2for25, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:44 (3 years ago) Permalink
Also, Fats Domino is definitely still around at 79, Hurricane Katrina and all.
― 2for25, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:46 (3 years ago) Permalink
Calvin Owens (who initially joined B.B. King's band in '53) is 78.
― C. Grisso/McCain, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:49 (3 years ago) Permalink
On the expatriate Brit-based jazz trumpeter front, both Kenny Wheeler and Harry Beckett are 77.
― Marcello Carlin, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:58 (3 years ago) Permalink
Lol Coxhill is 75.
Gospel act The Dixie Hummingbirds formed in 1928 and are still active, although not with the original members. Ira Tucker, however, has been in the group since 1938.
― jaymc, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:59 (3 years ago) Permalink
British jazz is actually quite a fertile ground. Stan Tracey is 82 and Don Rendell 86.
― Marcello Carlin, Friday, 6 July 2007 16:00 (3 years ago) Permalink
xpost Similarly, Clarence Fountain and Jimmy Carter have both been in the Blind Boys of Alabama since 1939.
― jaymc, Friday, 6 July 2007 16:01 (3 years ago) Permalink
Dave Brubeck is 86.
― jaymc, Friday, 6 July 2007 16:03 (3 years ago) Permalink
Hackberry Ramblers have been around since '33 and are still led by founding members Luderin Darbone and Edwin Duhon. I think they might have the all-time record.
― novamax, Friday, 6 July 2007 16:04 (3 years ago) Permalink
Lloyd Price is 74 (his first single was in '52)
― C. Grisso/McCain, Friday, 6 July 2007 16:05 (3 years ago) Permalink
Annie Ross is 76 (her first solo album, pre-Lambert/Hendricks/Ross, was recorded in 1952).
― jaymc, Friday, 6 July 2007 16:10 (3 years ago) Permalink
Charlie Louvin
― will, Friday, 6 July 2007 16:18 (3 years ago) Permalink
jazz pianist Hank Jones (89)is playing NYC this week
― m coleman, Friday, 6 July 2007 16:28 (3 years ago) Permalink
porter wagoner
― fact checking cuz, Saturday, 7 July 2007 00:10 (3 years ago) Permalink
Jazz drummer - Roy Haynes (80)
― earlnash, Saturday, 7 July 2007 02:59 (3 years ago) Permalink
Jean Shepard is 73 and apparently still performing. How many of these people listed are performing regularly, though (unless otherwise noted)? Also Little Jimmy Dickens, 86.
― Kevin John Bozelka, Saturday, 7 July 2007 03:56 (3 years ago) Permalink
Cachao Lopez is 89, I think, and still kicking. Best bass player I've ever seen.
― Roy Kasten, Saturday, 7 July 2007 04:59 (3 years ago) Permalink
Harry Belafonte and Odetta.
― Roy Kasten, Saturday, 7 July 2007 05:06 (3 years ago) Permalink
Pinetop Perkins is 94 and still tours.
― Roy Kasten, Saturday, 7 July 2007 05:16 (3 years ago) Permalink
Earl Mofo Scruggs.
And Jesse McReynolds, of the early bluegrass duo Jim & Jesse, still tours the festival circuit. Has J&J's awesome album of Chuck Berry covers ever made it to CD?
― Roy Kasten, Saturday, 7 July 2007 05:27 (3 years ago) Permalink
Omara Portuondo is 77, debuted professionally in 1945, played the Vienna Jazz Festival earlier this month.
― mike t-diva, Saturday, 7 July 2007 14:23 (3 years ago) Permalink
Hank Jones is 88.
― Sparkle Motion, Saturday, 7 July 2007 16:28 (3 years ago) Permalink
"little" jimmy scott - 82 years young.
― jed_, Saturday, 7 July 2007 19:05 (3 years ago) Permalink
Ornette Coleman (77)
His first record was in 1958, after the rock-era start date posited in the first post.
― Rock Hardy, Saturday, 7 July 2007 19:48 (3 years ago) Permalink
Country who might fit:
Ralph Stanley (80) Jeanne Ritchie (85) Porter Wagoner Lil Jimmie Dickens Wilma Lee Cooper
― pinkmoose, Saturday, 7 July 2007 20:02 (3 years ago) Permalink
Wade Mainer played banjo at his 100th birthday party this spring, over seventy years after making his recorded debut (1935-ish) with his brother's Mountaineers. He was born two years before Maybelle Carter, which is mind-boggling.
― hawth, Saturday, 7 July 2007 20:20 (3 years ago) Permalink
http://jazz.com/page/2008/7/5/octojazzarians
― moe greene dolphin street (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 17 March 2009 16:58 (1 year ago) Permalink
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090615/LIVING/90615001/1032/Jazz+festival++Anderson+can+still+thrill+at+80
― barney kestrel (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 17 June 2009 00:03 (1 year ago) Permalink
Michael Buble (kidding.. ) :)
Was about to write Yehudi Menuhin, but I see he died this year.
― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 17 June 2009 09:29 (1 year ago) Permalink
Les Paul still plays every week in NYC, right?― tylerw, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:33 (1 year ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
― tylerw, Friday, 6 July 2007 15:33 (1 year ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
Yup, passed his club on Times Square about a month ago. Still on the bill...
― Mark G, Wednesday, 17 June 2009 10:06 (1 year ago) Permalink