Anvil’s 70-year-old frontman Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow recently explained why he has no plans to retire despite his age. He shared his perspective in an interview with Paulieflix.
Kudlow’s comments focused on his philosophy about continuing to perform music until the end of his life. He rejected the concept of retirement entirely.
“Oh, there is no retirement. Death. It’s about not getting up tomorrow morning. That’s what it’s about. That’s when it ends. But what I’m saying is it’s not 30 years from now,” Kudlow said. “It’s gonna be within the next 10 years, more than likely. More than likely. Once you’re 80, there’s really not much time left. If you don’t live to a hundred — not very many people do, man. Not very many people live to 80 either. Look at [original Anvil guitarist] Dave Allison — [he] didn’t make it to 70. What are you gonna say, man? You can’t change that shit.”
The veteran musician emphasized the finite nature of life and why that motivates him to continue performing.
“We all have an expiry date. That’s it. There’s no way out, man. There’s only one way out. That’s it. You’re going out in a box… Every minute counts. That’s the way to look at it. So that’s why you don’t quit. And you don’t retire. What am I retiring from? You retire from things you hate. Then you don’t have to do it anymore,” he continued.
Kudlow distinguished between retiring from work you dislike versus continuing something you’re passionate about.
“But you don’t retire from music. You love it. You do it until you can’t… And it’s not just me. You go see all the other bands, because we just lost [former Manowar guitarist] Ross The Boss. Like, f*ck — he was a year older than me. That’s what I’m saying. Go see the bands before there is no band. And some guys lose it even before, so that they can’t go out and play. I think that’s real hell. That’s real hell, man,” he said.
Kudlow’s commitment to music over traditional employment has been evident throughout his career. This demonstrates the philosophy he now advocates at 70.
Metal Plague reported that Kudlow quit his job at Choice Children’s Catering 15 years ago. He has been making a complete living from Anvil ever since, entering what he describes as “a state of permanent retirement” where he no longer works in the traditional sense. This transition allowed him to focus entirely on his passion for music. It proves that retirement from conventional work doesn’t mean retirement from what you love.
The band’s longevity speaks to Kudlow’s unwavering dedication to his craft. VWMusic noted that throughout their forty-three-year career, Anvil has released eighteen fantastic metal albums. Each album is outstanding and singular in its approach. This prolific output demonstrates the band’s consistent creative drive despite facing numerous industry challenges.
Anvil’s persistence through decades of ups and downs reflects the no-compromise approach that has defined their career. Business Side of Music documented that the band has maintained their commitment throughout their 40+ year career. They have released multiple studio albums and continued to tour despite facing numerous record deal changes. This resilience exemplifies Kudlow’s current stance against retirement.
The band’s story of perseverance gained wider recognition through the acclaimed 2008 documentary “Anvil! The Story of Anvil.” The film showcased their determination to continue pursuing their musical dreams despite limited commercial success. Their journey from underground metal pioneers to documentary subjects and beyond illustrates the very philosophy Kudlow now articulates about never giving up on what you love.
