I'm 62 and have been playing since I was 16. The first 10 years I was playing in originals bands trying to get a record contract. That ended when I realised we just we're good enough.
At that stage I fell out of love with music and I thought my time as a bassist had ended.
Then, about 4 years later, my sister started dating a guy who was the singer and guitarist in a Blues band and he needed a bass player! Even better, he ended up marrying my sister and he couldn't then sack me. We played up and down the UK for the next 10 years. Then he and my sister fell out and that meant I had no choice but to leave the band.
At that stage I fell out of love with music and I thought my time as a bassist had ended.
But then the old drummer, from the Blues band, called me and said the new band he was in needed a bass player.
I've now been in that band for 23 years, other bands, over those 23 years, have come and gone and have disappeared without leaving a trace but the Blues band keeps on going. The singer is now 66 and the guitarist and drummer are in their mid 50s. We've had to take a break from gigging, as the singer and guitarist are married and are involved in complex family matters (think of the Godfather part III) which prevents them from gigging.
At this stage I think I may have fallen out of love with music and I am thinking my time as a bassist had ended.
Hold on there seems to be a pattern developing.......
Of course I don't want to be a old fart, in a band full of old farts, playing to old farts. But as long as we don't look too ridiculous up on stage and I can still project energy into playing, then I'll continue on until I can't.
Oh by the way, my sister and my brother in law got back together and I still occasionally play in his Blues band, when his new full-time bassist has something better (or more lucrative - wedding gig?) to do.