ABC News’ piece on older women in rock and roll (Cher, Bette, Tina, Madonna Still Strutting Their Stuff) extols the virtues of mature female rockers fighting the good fight, despite the direct of criticism of former Jefferson Airplane /Jefferson Starship / Starship frontwoman Grace Slick, who firmly believes rockers and rappers of a certain age, regardless of gender “look stupid and should retire”.
Not only do we agree that performers should conduct themselves in an age-appropriate manner—we’re looking at you Iggy and Mick; and please don’t dare wear a mini-skirt Debbie—but Joan Jett is the only true rocker mentioned in the article. (Not familiar with Chrissie Hynde, are we, ABC News? Oh, and we’d make an exception for Tina if she weren’t playing the casino circuit.) The rest are more the spiritual antecedents of Celine Dion than any true rock and roller.
"Rock 'n' roll is for young kids," Andrea Cagan, who co-wrote Slick's 1999 memoir, Somebody to Love, told ABCNEWS.com. "Grace knows these stars make hundreds of millions of dollars, but it's incredibly embarrassing to see older people flapping their cellulite around stage."
Ouch.
