The Boss Turns 60

The Boss made another milestone this week when he turned 60 AND made the cover of the Retired Persons magazine. Except Bruce Springsteen is anything but retired.

In the midst of a tour with his E Street Band, he wasn’t available to be interviewed about what it’s like to be 60 and still rocking.

It doesn’t quite compare with the rock legend’s past covers on Time and Rolling Stone.

Attitude Matters More Than Age

But AARP (formerly American Association of Retired Persons – how’s THAT for a name?) editor Nancy Perry Graham said they chose the rock and roller because he “personifies the message that attitude matters more than age.

“He’s one of these crop of 50-plus and 60-plus celebrities who are busier than ever in their older years and doing some of their best work,” Ms. Graham said. “The message with Bruce Springsteen is that 60 rocks.”

When Springsteen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, it was U2’s Bono who gave the induction speech. Among the many nice things he said about his friend was this observation: “Bruce Springsteen, you always knew, was not gonna die stupid.”

Maintaining Relevance

Billy Joel, may have once sang “only the good die young,” but a growing amount of aging rockers continue to outlast expectation (The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, etc) while managing to maintain relevancy and avoiding becoming caricatures.

Love him or loathe him, The Boss has undoubtedly earned his inclusion with these luminaries.  We can only hope for more decades of his rip roaring, blue collar excellence.  Happy Birthday Bruce!