The Rock N Roll AARP Club (hip revisited)

[perryfaithful]

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_8397197

Rumor has it that Prince needs a new hip. So, how's the rest of the rock 'n' roll AARP crowd holding up?
By Ross Raihala
Pop Music Critic
Article Last Updated: 02/28/2008 06:51:07 PM CST


Prince is seen on stage at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
"I hope I die before I get old" or "rock and roll never dies"?

It's a question that won't go away any time soon, what with AARP-age rockers like Bob Dylan (66) and Paul McCartney (65) — not to mention B.B. King (82) and Tony Bennett (81) — continuing to tour and record like guys a fraction of their age.

The advancing age of Minnesota's own Prince is once again in the spotlight, thanks to a British tabloid report that the 49-year-old is due to undergo a secret hip replacement surgery. It's not the first time such stories have surfaced. In late 2005, another English gossip sheet claimed the Purple One was about to go under the knife due to the damage caused by "years of performing in high-heeled boots."

Considering the guy jaw-dropping dance moves he once employed — pull out "Purple Rain" for a refresher course — it very well could be true that Prince is due to get a few gears changed. And, really, who can blame him?
Here's a peek at how a few other rockers are said to be dealing with the ravages of time:

Eddie Van Halen: Journey's Steve Perry, Kiss' Paul Stanley and the nimble-fingered Eddie Van Halen are among the few rockers to publicly admit they've undergone hip replacement surgery. But the 53-year-old guitarist blamed his lip and mouth cancer on years spent holding a metal guitar pick in his mouth while surrounded by electromagnetic radiation in various recording studios — not on smoking cigarettes. He has also heavily hinted that he was cured of the cancer through the experimental use of meth, which is probably too much information for most.

The Rolling Stones: Tales of the Stones' drug use are so legendary, many are surely apocryphal, most notably the tales of guitarist Keith Richards undergoing a total-blood transfusion/exchange to kick heroin. These days, whispers about the group suggest 64-year-old singer Mick Jagger keeps an oxygen tank readily available backstage and straps on the mask during Richards'

(Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose, 46, is also said to employ a tank, although it's unknown if it also includes helium to aid his shrieking high notes.)
Bret Michaels: While it surely wasn't the intent back in 1986, these days, the title of Poison's debut album might as well refer to lead singer Bret Michaels' less-than-convincing wig: "Look What the Cat Dragged In." The 44-year-old "Rock of Love" star must realize it, too, as he is rarely seen without a bandana or cowboy hat — often both at the same time — obscuring his dollar-store rug.

Robbie Carrico: Here's proof it's never too early to start fooling the public. Earlier this week, TMZ reported 26-year-old "American Idol" finalist and would-be rocker Robbie Carrico bought, rather than grew, his luxurious locks and "that makes production members feel like it's the blond elephant in the room."

Madonna: The Material Girl, who'll turn 50 in August, is notorious for her insanely strict health regimen and proudly displays a body so fit she could easily beat the stuffing out of the majority of working rockers today. But while announcing Madge's upcoming album "Hard Candy," her publicist explained the disc's title as such: "She loves candy." I'm sorry, but the idea that Madonna actually consumes junk food is easily the most outlandish rumor of them all.

Pop Music Critic Ross Raihala can be reached at rraihala@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5553. Read more about the local music scene on his blog, "The Ross Who Knew Too Much," at blogs.twincities.com/ross.

[brandonx76]

Eddie Van Halen: Journey's Steve Perry, Kiss' Paul Stanley and the nimble-fingered Eddie Van Halen are among the few rockers to publicly admit they've undergone hip replacement surgery. But the 53-year-old guitarist blamed his lip and mouth cancer on years spent holding a metal guitar pick in his mouth while surrounded by electromagnetic radiation in various recording studios — not on smoking cigarettes. He has also heavily hinted that he was cured of the cancer through the experimental use of meth, which is probably too much information for most.

Eddie admitted he used meth, experimentally?? Never heard that before...I guess that's what the Rich and Famous can afford to do. Speaking of, my friend is convinced Magic Johnson was able to purchase an 'antidote' for HIV / aids.

I do want give some credence to the Perry's hip problem...I guess sitting in a chair during a show would have been too much (even though that's considered 'cool' for old, fat blues singers)

As for the casual Journey fan...after dolling out a few copies of the Chile show to some friends at work, the discussion of 'Whatever happened to Perry?' came up...The general thought was that he had throat cancer at one point. I can't recall, but I thought this was just a rumor...

[tammy]

LOL...Bret Michaels dollar store rug!

[Don]

Speaking of Eddie Van Halen, did anyone see Valerie Bertinelli on the Larry King show the other night. She was very gracious in talking about her marriage. I think shes around 47 but she just looks great.

[Lady Luck]

I had to laugh when I saw this thread because I got something in the mail from them yesterday. I guess they think at 41 I have one foot in the grave already.

[TRAGChick]

I do want give some credence to the Perry's hip problem...I guess sitting in a chair during a show would have been too much (even though that's considered 'cool' for old, fat blues singers)

Hip Replacement; Shmip Replacement.

My Dance Instructor had one....she teaches a Step Class FOLLOWED BY my Dance Class.

Two hours in a row....EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY.

[X factor]

I do want give some credence to the Perry's hip problem...I guess sitting in a chair during a show would have been too much (even though that's considered 'cool' for old, fat blues singers)

Hip Replacement; Shmip Replacement.

My Dance Instructor had one....she teaches a Step Class FOLLOWED BY my Dance Class.

Two hours in a row....EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY.

Yeah, Paul Stanley had one of these about ten years back, but he seems to have recovered nicely.

Too much rockin and rollin!