Proof: You Can't Be Too Old To Rock On

New Documentary Captures Singers Who Bring Age And Wisdom To The Music Of Youth

(CBS)  Can you EVER be too old to sing rock music? David Edelstein is back from a new movie that answers that question:

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Steven Walker's documentary "Young @ Heart" chronicles the laborious rehearsal period of a touring senior citizen chorus - septuagenarians, octogenarians, even nonagenarians - who sing songs by Talking Heads, Springsteen, even the Ramones.

"Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go …. I wanna be sedated …"

The songs seem thunderously incongruent, for reasons you'd imagine. Rock-and-roll was key to the youth culture wave of the second half of the twentieth century: You weren't supposed to play it past your 30th birthday.

That's changed, obviously - the Stones are pushing 70. But most of these numbers have a driving backbeat. They channel, they celebrate energy, hedonism, even ecstatic self-destruction … whereas some of these people can barely sing for the fluid in their lungs.

At first I was uncomfortable, even angry, at how "Young @ Heart" presented its chorus members, who frequently screwed up the melody and lyrics.

I thought the chorus director Bob Cilman treated them almost like kindergarteners. There was something almost hostile about making them endure Sonic Youth's "Schizophrenia."

But midway through, I realized I'd been unfair to Cilman. A spirit more profound began to permeate the film. There is no condescension in the handling of Fred Knittle, a titanic soul with a voice that's as deep and strong as his body (after a cardiac arrest) is precarious. Knittle has become a YouTube sensation with his moving version of Coldplay's "Fix You."

The songs Cilman has chosen begin to seem more and more appropriate, even inspired. The group performs for prisoners near their Massachusetts base, shortly after getting the news that a beloved member has died. The music takes over; the joy of performing is transcendent.

But I don't want to sound like a kindergarten teacher myself. Isn't it marvelous they're so old and singing keeps them young? It's not grading on a curve to say the "Young @ Heart" chorus is passionately beautiful. Their music harkens back to the roots of rock, to R&B and blues, to the triumph of art over pain and loss.

Watching this great documentary, you want to paraphrase Dylan Thomas: "Do not go gently into that good night; Rock, rock against the dying of the light."


For information on "Young @ Heart," visit the film's official Web site at Fox Searchlight.

[blackbug99]

Young spirits trapped in old bodies. Great videos. I wonder if they''ve ever gotten to meet some of the recording stars who''s material they sing.

[paroberts-2009]

Featuring the "Young @ Heart" chorus documentary and Michael Buble''s story was wonderful. Proving once again - good music has no boundaries.

[lorddagan]

COOL!! More proof that it doesn''t matter how old you are, it''s how young you are at heart!
I hope I can still rock out when I''m their age!

[laneykehel]

Apparently a child without manners made its way to the board. To that child, I say, they are a wonderful group of people and you are the shining example of a true brat.

[kittybud420]

I cruised on over to YouTube and watched several videos of "Young at Heart". There''s an exceptional cover of Lou Reed''s "Take A Walk on the Wild Side". Unbelievable stuff really. A perfect accompaniment to my age 46 420 celebration. Keep on rockin'' ladies and gentlemen- whaddya wanna bet the one who said they sucked can''t even sing in the shower??

love & ~peace~

kittybud420 on 4/20 smoke em'' if you got ''em

[marcpcbs]

The truly amazing thing is that there are so many survivors of the drug years that can still remember their names and stand up.

We should have a moment of silence for the huge number of us that didn''t survive the drug years.

[runningralph]

From the picture these people look about my age. They would really be more comfortable singing Bing Crosby and Judy Garland. Maybe Nat King Cole or Lena Horne. As far as rock and roll, Johnny Ray and Gale Storm had it down pat.

[element51]

I''m a 63 year old man. I had my run and now I''m into the last quarter but that doesn''t mean I have to just give up. I still get looks when I''m in my car with the CD player blasting out Jerry Lee or the Stones or
my favorite of all Bruce Springsteen. If I''m lucky enough to see 90 I''ll still be listening to my tunes. I think it''s great that these folks are still rockin away. Don''t ever stop, it''s good for the soul. Music transcends all.

[juwboy]

Element51:

Let''s not forget Elvis, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Larry Williams, Fats Domino and Gene Vincent either.

That''s when rock really was rock-and-roll!!!

[texanforlogi]

Rock & Roll Never Forgets!

[rushman71]

For those about to ROCK, we salute you!!!