Smokey Robinson, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson: Baby Boomer-Era Music Legends Still Rocking in Their 70s and 80s

When Smokey "King of Motown" Robinson hits the Corona Grandstand Stage as part of the Toyota Summer Concert Series at the San Diego County (Del Mar) Fair this Saturday night, I wonder how many people in the audience will know, or care, that he recently celebrated his 79th birthday.

Smokey, who’s performed since he formed a doo-wop group in high school in 1955, is on a lengthy US tour and shows no signs of slowing. By all accounts he still has boundless energy and remains the consummate showman. He doesn't short-change audiences, even at his, uh, advanced age. He still treats every gig as if it were that fateful first audition for Motown founder Barry Gordy in 1957. 

A Detroit native, of course, Smokey, who met Gordy before Motown even existed, can still hit most of the nigh notes. And he still has that inimitably smooth tenor. He's got nothing left to prove, and I’m pretty sure he doesn't need the money. 

But he still clearly thrives on bringing joy to others. I've seen this charming musical genius numerous times in concert over the years, but the most memorable performance for me came about a decade ago at a makeshift "theater" in the parking lot of a Southern California casino that will remain nameless because the venue was so bad. 

It was a dark and stormy night – literally - and while the show was sold out, fewer than half of the folks who bought a ticket showed up. But we Smokey loyalists weren't about to let some chilly, damp air get in the way of enjoying the man that Bob Dylan once called America's "greatest living poet." 

And Smokey did not disappoint. Undaunted by the harsh conditions, Robinson hit the stage sans umbrella but wearing a big smile and we roared our approval.

Smokey could have greeted the half-empty "theater" with a short, by-the-numbers show. But instead of perfunctory, he was extraordinary. He clearly saw the place as half-full, not half-empty, and gave a masterful, joyous performance that lasted nearly two hours. He rewarded us for showing up, and we gave the love right back.

There's a sweetness and warmth in Robinson the performer. Sure, he has a star's ego. He was after all a record company executive for many years. He's just as tough as his voice is soft. But even under the weight of worldwide fame and great wealth, Robinson's heart never shrank.

It was an intimate affair in which the crowd and the performer established a rare if drenched bond. Everyone was soaked but happy. We all knew we'd been a part of something special.

Robinson is truly old-school. He gives the fans what they want. And that helps explain his staying power so many decades after his Motown heyday. Robinson is responsible for far too many classic songs to sing them all in concert. But you're pretty much guaranteed to hear “I Second That Emotion, “You've Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “The Tears of a Clown” and “Cruisin'.” 

I hope he sings a few of those lost gems, too, like “Quiet Storm” and “Baby, Baby Don’t Cry,” but we shall see.

You also might hear “Just to See Her,” the Grammy-winning tune written by my buddy Lou Pardini, a gifted singer-songwriter-keyboardist who is now in the band Chicago. And you may hear some of the classics Robinson wrote for other artists such as The Temptations’ “Get Ready” and “My Girl.”

Smokey Isn't Alone

The grandstand is expected to be filled with graying, nostalgia-hungry boomers. Maybe it's not such a drag getting old! In fact, Smokey will be joined on national tours this summer by a whole bunch of baby boomer-era rock and roll legends, who continue to defy Father Time and are still performing into their 70s and even 80s.

For example: A week after Smokey performs in Del Mar, Beatles legend Paul McCartney arrives at Downtown San Diego’s Petco Park on his world tour. When he plays Petco, Paul will have just celebrated his 76th birthday.

Mick Jagger, 75, gave us all a scare with his recent heart surgery, but is reportedly healthy again and preparing for the Rolling Stones' upcoming re-scheduled No Filter world tour.

The three original members of Chicago, including Robert Lamm, 74, are still touring 52 years after they played their first gig in Chicago and will be appearing at Harrah’s Resort SoCal in September. 

Jon Anderson, 74, lead singer of the band Yes, is still touring both solo and in his configuration of the classical-rock band and recently performed at Humphrey’s.

Justin Hayward, 72, lead singer of the Moody Blues, is currently on another solo tour that comes to the Belly Up in Solana Beach in August.

Steven Tyler, 71, and his Aerosmith mates are also on another US tour. 

Pete Townshend,and Roger Daltrey, founding members of The Who, are 74 and 75, respectively, and are still (thankfully) performing and stating, with a straight face, “I hope I die before I get old.” They’ll be performing at Viejas Arena in October.

Southern rock great Charlie Daniels, 82, is presently on a nationwide concert trek still singing and playing his fiddle. 

Then there’s the great granddaddy of them all, country music legend Willie Nelson, who is happily on the road again this summer at the age of 86.

What gives Willie and these other troupers the energy to continue the grueling national and global summer concert tours into old age? And how long can they keep rocking? 

Some cynics, mostly those in Generations X, Y and Z, undoubtedly think these old geezers should pack up their microphones and Cialis, go home and give the younger artists a brighter spotlight and a little more concert revenue. 

But these older acts not only provide the soundtrack to our lives, they also inspire us when they appear on stage in their advanced years and still bring it musically. And most of them can.

These rockers, many of whom lived the life of excess over the decades, are now ironically role models for good health. Their positive habits on the road - good food, exercise, sleep, little or no drugs — help explain their longevity. 

While these artists will all eventually meet up with their mortality, that's a tomorrow worry. For now, these aging artists still have a lot of living and rocking to do. As Neil Young, now 73, says, "It's better to burn out than it is to rust."