RTYD Manifesto

You are never too old to make rock music.
Or to enjoy listening to it.
The kid in you never has to die.
Nor the rock god.
Or the self-loathing, angst-ridden, cardigan-wearing anti-rock god, if you prefer.

Up there on stage in that local music venue you can still live the dream.
You can still feel cool.
You can still feel untouchable.
You can still even feel sexy.
That local music venue is your Wembley. Your O2 Arena. Your O2 Academy (if you prefer)

As you grow older, Rock is less about rebellion and more about release.
Release from the stresses and mundanity of work-life.
It beats fishing, golf, and jogging
As a way to deal with the angst (left over from your 20s).
And the grumps (current).

It is also a way of dealing with anger over things like the government, estate agents, mobile phone companies, trains, litter, the England football team, X-Factor. I could go on...
Such hate-lists can provide all the inspiration you need for new songs and to feed into the energy of your performance.

You don’t have to sell your ‘old faithful’, your beloved guitar or drum set on eBay.
You can keep it and buy another one.
The one that you have been salivating over for years in the window of your local music shop - if you can afford it, that is.
Guitarists: you can still have that Fuzz Face effects pedal that you’ve always wanted.
You can still treat yourself to that Marshall stack that you’ve always dreamed of - you just got to think about your back, and your transport.
Drummers: you can still have that gong just like Carl Frederick Kendall Palmer (still) does.
And you can still ask for a drum riser. You probably won’t get it, but you can ask; they can only say ‘no’.
Bass players: you can still have that rug to play on like Gregory Stuart Lake - though it’s probably best the drummer uses it because those drum kits tend to drift on small wooden stages.

You can still dress up on stage.
You may be balding, or completely bald. If this embarrasses you, you can wear a hat.
All the greats had a hat. Dylan, Neil Young, Keef...
Or you could wear a bandanna - Axl Rose, Steven Van Zandt...
Or even a tuque (if you prefer) - The Edge

You may have a paunch. If you do, you are not alone.
All the greats now have one. Except Iggy, of course.
You can still wear the Pink Floyd T-Shirt, or the Nirvana one (if you prefer).
Just keep it on, for god’s sake.
You can still wear the flares, or the drainpipes - just not the skin-tight ones - and not leather trousers either, apparently.

So, it’s never too late to start a band, or get the old band back together.
And don’t think you have to start singing the blues or playing jazz.
You don’t have to sit down and play now you’re over 40.
You can continue to jump around as long as you physically can.
Who cares if your back’s a bit soar for a few days.
Who cares if some people think it’s undignified, and that you should grow up?
Who cares what people think? You never used to.

The kids will respect you. Maybe not your kids. But other kids. Musician kids. They’ll understand why you are still doing it. Even if your family doesn’t.

So keep practicing and you will get even better at your instrument.
Keep performing and you will become a better showman.
Keep listening to new rock music
And keep rock alive
.
Rock music is in your soul. It is who you are.
You grew up on it and it defines a large part of you.
The part of you that many of your friends know and love.
The part of you that your spouse or partner wishes would grow up.
The part of you that your mum and dad tried to normalise, but had no choice but to come to terms with.

You will die enjoying it.
You will.

Toby Burton January 2011