The passing of veteran Stones drummer Charlie Watts at 80 surely disproves the adage that rock and roll is exclusively a young persons game. There are now a number of artists who are well past middle-age and are still doing live shows and making new music. Groups who disbanded decades ago have reformed and are trotting out their back-catalogue, with the occasional new album thrown in.

But even if we accept that the elderly can still flounce and pout with the best of them ( incongruous as it often looks), there can be little doubt that most pop or rock musicians create their best music when they are younger. It is no mystery as to why. New musicians are hungrier for success, more willing to take risks, tend to be more creative and have boundless energy. If you want something badly enough and you have the talent, then you are in with a chance if luck shines upon you.

I can’t think of single example of the reverse - that is - an artist who creates better music later in life. Some have longevity and do buck the trend - Bowie had a few very good albums in the 1980’s. The Rolling Stones too, though little of their work reached the  heights of their late 60’s and early 70’s output. Compare Start Me Up, which was very successful in 1981, with songs like Angie, Gimme Shelter or Ruby Tuesday. The former is a good song, the latter are simply great.

As usual, I am always happy to be proven wrong, though this one is a tough ask.