In today’s rock music scene, many rock stars are no longer like their young selves. Most of these artists enjoyed the height of their success in the 1960s and the following decades when rock music was at its peak. However, they still have an audience and didn’t lose their spirit. So these rather old rockers still have the energy to rock and roll, and their fans love seeing them on stage.
Among these rock icons, the 78-year-old Mick Jagger is still jumping around on the stage with his unique dance moves, Bruce Springsteen is still eager to perform for hours on stage despite being 70 years old, and Paul McCartney, who is now 80-year-old, still plays on stage for hundreds of fans. However, it seems Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick has a controversial opinion on these rock stars.
What Did Grace Slick Say About The Senior Rockers?
Grace Slick is an 82-year-old musician who rose to fame as part of San Francisco’s early psychedelic music scene in the mid-60s. Throughout her music career, Slick became prominent with her work with Jefferson Airplane and its successors Jefferson Starship and Starship.
In the 1980s, Slick remained the only member from the Jefferson Airplane lineup in Starship. After releasing the album ‘No Protection,’ she left Starship in 1988. Slick and her former Jefferson Airplane bandmates reformed the band a year later. However, after the reunion, the singer decided to retire from the music scene.
In a 1998 interview on a Behind The Music documentary featuring Jefferson Airplane, the musician told VH1 that she retired from the music business because all rock stars over 50 should retire as they look stupid. Following this controversial remark, she faced accusations of ageism.
As reported by Rock N’ Heavy, Grace Slick said the following to VH1:
“All rock-and-rollers over the age of 50 look stupid and should retire.“
Many years later, in 2007, the musician elaborated on her past remark and said one could make jazz, classical, blues, opera, or country music until they were 150 years old. However, according to the singer, rock and roll and rap are for young audiences who need to get their anger out, and it’s silly to perform a song that doesn’t express feelings the artists no longer have.
According to Musicoholics, Grace Slick said the following in 2007:
“You can do jazz, classical, blues, opera, country until you’re 150, but rap and rock and roll are ways for young people to get that anger out. It’s silly to perform a song without relevance to the present or express feelings you no longer have.”
After retiring from music, Slick made appearances with Jefferson Starship in 1995 and late 2001. Besides, the singer started painting and drawing while making minor appearances in music works. Despite Slick, who believes rock stars over 50 should retire, many rockers out there are still eager to make new musical efforts.
