Rock singers 70 or older still going strong (2024)

Age is nothing but a number. Heard that before? That's what it means to some of the greatest rock voices of all time.

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Alice Cooper

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When not on the golf course, there's a good chance Cooper is touring. "The Godfather ofShock Rock" turned 76 in February 2024, and was touring Europe by autumn. And when he checking out one of Alice's entertaining live performances, it's hard to tell if the years and vocal mileage have done anything to hinder his voice and ability to perform.

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Roger Daltrey

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Daltrey turned 80 in March 2024, and while there are some critics and fans who believe he should hang up the mic, the legendary frontman of The Who continues to prove he can still pack a vocal punch. Sure, he takes a different vocal approach to such classics like "Won't Get Fooled Again," and the range is not what it was in the past. But, as 2024 went on, Daltreywas still delivering two-hour (sometimes longer) live sets without a problem.

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Bob Dylan

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The 83-year-old Dylan has never really gone away. And, while his voice was known for being more unique than anything else, he's been able to keep touring and putting out music. After playing with 91-year-old country legend Willie Nelson in the summer of 2024, Dylan, who hasn't really shown his age, is slated to finish up the year with a tour of Europe. When it comes to generational talent, Dylan must be near the top of any such list.

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John Fogerty

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Nearing 80 years old, it seems like Fogerty has never stopped touring. Though best known for leading the way with Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fogerty's solo career has been going strong since the early 1970s. Like others on this list, 2024 proved to be a busy year for Fogerty, who has toured with "His Travelin' Band." He put out his most recent studio album, Fogerty's Factory, in 2020 and the single "Weeping in the Promised Land" one year later.

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Peter Frampton

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Frampton turned 74 in April, and celebrated by going out on a 2024 tour of North America. The singer/guitarist has never let age define him, or keep him from playing live. Which after all, is the reason he became a star in the first place through his 1976 Frampton Comes Alive. In addition, Frampton has released two studio records since 2021, though the most recent, Frampton Forgets the Words,was an instrumental project.

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In 2023, the 74-year-old Gabriel released I/O, his 10th studio album and first in 21 years. Gabriel toured off the record, to rave reviews, which should not have been a surprise. There are just some artists who can deliver the goods, especially vocally, no matter how much the years add up. The fact is, Gabriel has consistently provided backing vocals and collaborated with countless of artists since his solo heyday of the 1980s and into the '90s.

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Ian Gillan

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Gillan, who just turned 79, told popular rock radio personality Eddie Trunk that he has no plans to retire — while still touring with Deep Purple -- anytime soon. Armed with one of the most iconic voices of all time (the guy played Jesus on the original recording of Jesus Christ Superstar), Gillan has shown wear and tear, but he still keeps going and likely will need to be dragged off the stage when it's time to truly call it a career. It's one thing to want to be out there when one is up there in age, but another to back it up. Gillan has certainly done that.

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David Gilmour

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It's not too surprising that Gilmour continues to put out music and tour at age 78. His vocal stylings, very reserved, calming and harmonically pleasant, never seemed taxing on his voice. Upon his return from playing Europe, the Pink Floyd legend, who also happens to be one of the great guitar players on the planet, Gilmour played three nights at the Hollywood Bowl and five at Madison Square Garden. So much for taking it easy during your golden years.

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Sammy Hagar

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At 77, rock fans know Hagar still can't drive just 55. But, age also can't keep off the stage. In 2024, Hagar hit the road for a high-octane rock party with buddies Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, Jason Bonham and Kenny Aronoff on the "Best of All Words" tour. Drawing positive reviews across America and abroad, the Red Rocker remains one of the most entertaining frontmen in rock history. And, Hagar plans to keep going until physically unable to keep pleasing crowds.

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Rob Halford

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The Grammy Award-winning metal legend turned 74 in August 2024, and he's still fronting Judas Priest — grey beard, shaved head and all. Not only is the band still touring with Halford at the forefront, but making new music with 2024's Invincible Shieldalbum.Sure, time has taken some of the sheen off Halford's piercing, glass-cutting voice, but it's still beyond dependable and well worth the time and money to hear it live.

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Debbie Harry

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This list is not limited to men. In fact, when it comes to musical longevity, 79-year-old Debbie Harry has never really gone away. She's seemingly played with everybody (including a 2023 collab with the Dandy Warhols and NALA), from various genres. Not to mention, Blondie put out its most recent studio released in 2017 and played the Isle of Wight Festival in 2023). She's also remained a presence as an actor, on the red carpet and just about anywhere that's cool.

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Mick Jagger

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Simply put, Mick Jagger is a freak of nature in the best, most complimentary sense of the word. At 81, he still moves like Jagger at 30, or 40... or 70. Anyone fortunate enough to catch Jagger and the Rolling Stones during the stellar 2024 Hackney Diamondstoursaw first hand that Jagger can still croon and sway — for more than two hours — as if time stood still. Even at his advanced age, Jagger might still be the greatest frontman ever — regardless of genre. And, even when he's gone, that likely will still be the case.

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Billy Joel

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At 75, Joel looks and sings nearly as good as he did 30 years ago, and he has never stopped playing as is evidenced by his lengthy residency at Madison Square Garden from 2014-24. Since 2023, Joel has been part of the "Two Icons - One Night" tour with fellow 70+ legend Stevie Nicks (more on her in a bit). Perhaps most impressive when it comes to Billy Joel is that he's managed to keep playing at a high level despite battling depression early in his career and alcoholism for most of his adult life.

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Jeff Lynne

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The current of the version ofElectric Light Orchestra(ELO) is Jeff Lynne, the lone original member of the band. However, it's still time well-spent to see and hear Lynne, who turns 77 before 2024 comes to an end, as ELO tours this fall playing the hits. Lynne can still do it all. Sure, he might be a little slower, but the music is as solid as ever, and fans continue to come out to hear one of the great, yet underrated, musicians of all time.

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Paul McCartney

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Sir Paul turned 82 in June 2024, and the music world spent another year in wonderment. The legendary Beatle has always defied his age. He can still play a three-hour show, traveling the globe and keeping busy. His 19th studio album, McCartney III, was released in December 2020, and the live-in-studio album One Hand Clapping as Paul McCartney and Wings came out in 2024. The voice is still superb, and musically, he commands any instrument at his disposal. McCartney can also be found collaborating or jamming with some of the biggest names in music on a regular basis.

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Stevie Nicks

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The 76-year-old Nicks has been touring for parts of five decades. And, it's quite possible she will add another decade to her resume before she calls it a career. What's more impressive, is that Nicks hasn't released a studio album of new material in more than 10 years. However, Nicks has managed to remain highly relevant thanks to her embrace of modern-day female pop and rock stars, thus opening the door for a live tourthat began in 2023, as well as her aforementioned team-up with Billy Joel for some concert dates. And, the voice? Well, it should take fans back to her magnificent days of '70s (if old enough).

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Sting

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At 73, Sting's a relative baby compared with some on this list. And, while it seems unlikely Stingwill ever reunite with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers to bring back the Police any time soon, he continues to stay busy. In tip-top shape, both in appearance and vocally, Sting has played 2024 stadium shows with the aforementioned Billy Joel, and will close out the year with his "3.0" tour. Which, interestingly enough, is with two other musicians playing behind him. The multiple-Grammy Award winner has released two studio albums since 2019.

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Robert Plant

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OK, so Plant can't hit all the high notes or range-defying numbers in the legendary Led Zeppelin catalog, but that has not stopped him from performing. And Plant won't ignore some of the band's songs. He has his reasons for not joining Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones for a Zeppelin reunion, but the 76-year-old Plant continues to play festivals throughout the world and has found a new base and generations of fans through his years performing alongside bluegrass/country star Alison Krauss.

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Bruce Springsteen

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The Boss just turned 75, and for fans who want to see just what it means for him to keep playing — and playing at a high level for three hours a night in 2023 and '24 — then check out Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band. With an October 2024 release, the Disney+/Hulu documentary dives into Springsteen's mindset as he continues to tour "until the wheels fall off." Sure, Bruce has dealt with some health issues in the last few years, but when the stage lights go up and house comes down, a Springsteen show remains one of the great rock experiences of all time.

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Roger Waters

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We already highlighted Waters' former Pink Floyd bandmate David Gilmour. Waters, meanwhile, who just turned 81, has also kept busy on stage — while making waves and stirring controversy off it — since parting ways with the band in the 1980s. Waters, raspy, almost ornery voice can prove burdensome to one's health over the years, but that hasn't stopped him continuing to make new music and tour —the most recent of which wrapped up within the last year.

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Ann Wilson

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Wilson has endured much during her life; substance abuse, weight and body-image issues, and in 2024, she was diagnosed with cancer while Heart was in the midst of touring.However, Wilson underwent treatment for the latter, and it appears the 74-year-old legendary singer will be back on stage with her beloved rock outfit in 2025. Through it all, Wilson's voice remained powerful and magical. And classic rock fans still can't get enough.

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Stevie Wonder

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Another superstar musician, singer, songwriter who has kept churning and burning. At age 74, Wonder continues to play, sound and move like he's in his 30s. In 2021, he appeared in Questlove's wonderful documentary Summer of Soul.One year later, Wonder released his 15th studio album Talking Book. Then in 2024, he released the single "Can We Fix Our Nation's Broken Heart" and performed his classic "Higher Ground" at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, where he covered the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, football and golf, Olympics and high school athletics. Jeff most recently spent 12 years in the editorial department at STATSPerform, where he also oversaw coverage of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff's work has also appeared on such sites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated and NBA.com. However, if Jeff could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High School and Grand Lakes University

Rock singers 70 or older still going strong (2024)
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