Thankyou, and goodnight.

[musicbassman]

Hello BCers,

I’m approaching 73, and it’s time for me to retire from gigging.

This is partly due to minor health issues, but also a lot to do with having no desire to continue driving around the South East at midnight after a gig. It’s become a bit of an issue, especially in winter.

After 57 years in bands I think I deserve a long service medal, but I’m not sure who awards these. I’ve been lucky and have worked with some seriously talented musicians over the years. But I’m also not forgetting those bandmates who maybe weren’t the greatest players but always did their best and were genuinely nice people to be around. I’ve written plenty of anecdotes on this forum about my various adventures and misfortunes over the years, and that’s just the stories I can remember.

For the last few years I’ve been doing mainly dep work and have worked with all sorts of bands, from elite function bands to local pub rockers. Band politics never change - some bands have been super friendly and obviously really enjoyed gigging together, whereas some bands hardly spoke to each other all night. But I always tried to turn up on time, smile at everyone, and play the right notes, and that’s usually the successful formula for a dep player.

I’ll still be a regular on this forum, which must be one of the most polite and friendly forums ever. But that’s what you’d expect from bass players, isn’t it? Sensible comments, witty comments, bit of banter – what’s not to like?

Peace and love to you all.

 

 

[BlueMoon]

All the best in whatever comes next………and thanks for all the ongoing contributions to the low end community!

[Mickeyboro]

You’ve been a bit of an inspiration to me, David, and I am glad you’re sticking around the forum. You even came to see me play once, for which I am grateful!

 

All the best, and don’t forget to pass me all those dep gigs😂

[YellowLedBetterBass]

I think if I manage to go 57 years playing in bands without at least punching one person it'd be a miracle, so caps off to you.

 

Enjoy the retirement!

[miles'tone]

Enjoy your time off the road. 57 years of making countless people happy as they took some time out from their day-to-day is a hell of a contribution by any standards. Hats off!

I hope you continue to play and keep at least yourself happy now. 👏

[Suburban Man]

"turn up on time, smile at everyone, and play the right notes" - Excellent advice for any musician, but especially a bass player. 

 

For those of us who are less musically gifted, achieving 1 & 2 whilst playing a few bum notes (although preferably in the same key as the rest of the band) seems to be sufficient.

 

[snorkie635]

Retired at last! (A fine feeling no doubt?)

 

I wish you all the best in your future endeavours whatever these maybe.

 

Snorks

[Reggaebass]

Wow 57 years in bands, that’s quite amazing, good luck for the future and glad you’re sticking around basschat 

[Dad3353]

1 hour ago, musicbassman said:

... After 57 years in bands I think I deserve a long service medal...

 

 

 

[Jeffb28451]

Thanks for bringing more music into the world. You summed up my 50 plus years and brought a smile to my 69 year old face.

I’m dealing with the same and just don;t want to “go” quite yet. I did have started playing with a group that plays mainly nursing homes and 

that may be where my joy is now.

 

My regular band is slowing down and the usual issues continue to come and go. It is harder to get gigs due

to my age. When I mention it, I usually get ghosted, in spite of experience, killer gear and a good work ethic. I don’t look like Keith Richard’s, but

I am showing my age and I never have looked like a rock star, whatever they look like..  

 

I really appreciate your post and your comments. 

 

Jeff

[HeadlessBassist]

All the best, MusicBassMan. I, for one, hope you do go on playing here and there. As I mentioned in another thread, the Buddy Holly tribute in our multiple act tribute show is now 79 and showing no signs of giving up. I honestly don't know how he does it, but hats off to him.

 

I've appreciated your posts in my short time back here, and wish you all the best for whatever you're going to do instead.  

 

 

 

[Hellzero]

Enjoy your retirement @musicbassman and keep coming here. 😊

 

I'm about to do the same at soon 60 years old, but only because I have no more will to join another band as the duet I was in is over since last month.

 

I'll focus on piano and do a bit of summer cleaning...