Artist who keep on keeping on after 80

The 90+ group

1. Chuck Berry
2. Tony Bennett
3. Roy Haynes

The 80+ group

1. ​Willy Nelson
2. Wayne Shorter
3. Ahmad Jamal

What do they have in common?

1. Good genes
2. They are still playing

Have they had a life of clean living?

Nope, many of them have lead hard lives: booze, drugs, jail, IRS problems and more

Go figure.

Do you have good genes?  

​If your parents lived to 100 they've given you a genetic advantage.

As we all know lifespans have increased greatly over the last century due to advances in health care, clean water, better and more nutritious food. Not to mention a great reduction in childhood diseases.  But, as the following science article makes clear longer lifespans due to medical advances don't correlate with aging well. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4822264/

So, the obvious conclusions to aging well as a musician I drew from this article and my own experiences?

1. Make adjustments to your playing ergonomics as need be.
2. Maintain good social bonds with other musicians.
3. Eat right, unclog the plumbing.
4. Sleep right, give your body a chance to rest.
5. Exercise right, there are not too many old fat guys in the home, just skinny wily old ones.
6. Reduce stress, have some fun.

Cheers, 

David Story

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