When my son was in his early teens, his favorite groups to listen to were many of the rock bands I grew up listening to. Many of these band members are now in their 60s and 70s. He wanted to see many of these bands live, so we went to see some of these groups. As he explained it to me, he wanted to see these performers before they were gone.
From seeing these bands live as well as viewing other groups on tv, such as shows like Rock & Roll Roadtrip with Sammy Hagar, many of these older bands are continuing to play live shows and create new music. They certainly have enough money and don’t need to continue to tour. They could do most anything they want. Yet they continue to rock on!
Here is why I believe the aging rock stars have it right by continuing to tour and what current and future retirees can learn from them.
They never really “retire.â€
I think the word “retire†is the wrong way for many of us to view the latter part of our lives. Retirement, or “to retire†has the connotation of an ending to something. In one of my recent posts, I wrote about how this is the wrong way to view this time. View retirement as a transition to something new or different having a lifetime of perspective. We need to view retirement with a more positive and optimistic outlook.
These aging rockers just keep playing- doing what they love to do. Some may end up forming other group or doing solo performances, but they keep going.
Their work gives them purpose.
When transitioning into retirement, it is important to find your purpose. For those changing from a long-time career, this can be a challenge. For these aging musicians, continuing to bring their music to their fans is what continues to give them a purpose. Find your purpose.
They continue to do what they enjoy.
They have identified their purpose and continue to pursue it with passion. Performing live is something that gives them that “being alive†feeling. One that only a rock star can really understand. What gives you that type of feeling? And, they know the fans want to continue to see them perform. Since they don’t need to do it for the money, they are doing it because they love what they do.
They only work as much as they want.
Older bands seem to tour only occasionally. Some more or less than others. They can pick and choose when to tour and when they want to. This allows them time to pursue other interests and activities.
It keeps them connected.
As mentioned earlier, fans want to continue to see them. It keeps them connected to their fans and it keeps them connected to their band mates and others in the music business. They can basically decide who they work with and surround themselves with. For the most part, I presume, they only spend time creating music with people they enjoy being around. They have been in the industry long enough to know who they want to spend time with and who they don’t want to be around- who gives them energy and who takes their energy away. They spend their time with people they genuinely enjoy being around.
It keeps them active.
In the course of a two-hour concert, they get a lot of movement (exercise). Many of the concerts I have seen, the lead singers go from side to side of the stage, still running and jumping. The other members of the band, guitars and drums also get a great workout. In order to do this night after night in their 50s, 60s, and 70s they must stay in shape in order to continue to do what they enjoy.
It keeps them healthier (or at least I like to think so!).
Gone are the all-night parties. They have been there and done that. Don’t get me wrong, I am sure many of them have a good time prior to or after concerts, but I bet many of them know they must take care of themselves if they want to continue. Many of them now are married and have kids. Things like that make a person change. It makes them see what is really important.
Ok, so we will never be a real Rock Star, but maybe we can learn a few things from these aging rock stars who never seem to slow down. Be your own “Rock Star” in retirement by following what keeps them healthy, active and social while having a strong purpose to keep them going strong.
If you would like help planning for your retirement, feel free to contact me. I can help you develop a plan and hold you accountable for achieving the plan. Together, we will create a plan that will give you clarity, confidence and control. Reid@MyLifesEncore.com 952-994-8937.
