Old Singers You Didn't Realize Are Still Alive
In the dynamic world of music, there's something truly special about old singers who have not only defined the sound of yesteryears but are still among us, continuing to enrich our lives with their art. These venerable artists have witnessed the birth and death of countless trends, and their songs have become the backdrop of our lives, echoing through the ages as powerful symbols of music's timeless nature.
Consider the contributions of Bill Pitman, whose guitar has provided the backbone to a myriad of classic tunes. Or Bobby Vinton, whose silky voice has serenaded generations and remains as poignant as ever. And of course, Petula Clark, whose catchy hits still compel us to sing along with joyous abandon.
These old singers are more than just musicians; they're the storytellers and the soul-crafters of their time, whose melodies carry the rich narratives of decades past. As we revisit their classic hits and celebrate their ongoing legacies, we pay tribute to the old singers who stand as testaments to the longevity and power of true musical artistry. Join us in honoring their remarkable journeys and the timeless impact they've made on the world of music.
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Leroy Van Dyke appeared on Opry's Thursday night show Opry Country Classics in 2017, to celebrate the anniversary of being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
- Birthplace: USA, Mora, Missouri
- 2
In 1978, CBS aired the Bobby Vinton's Rock N' Rollers one-hour special, to top ratings.
- Birthplace: Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, USA
- 3
Bill Pitman
Age: 100Bill Pitman has mostly retired from the spotlight, but does appear on panels sometimes to discuss the documentary The Wrecking Crew.
- Birthplace: Belleville, New Jersey
- 4
In 2003, the Nashville Gospel Music Association inducted Pat Boone their Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
- Birthplace: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
- 5
Frankie Valli still tours with The Four Seasons, and there are tickets available to shows through 2021 on his website.
- Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, USA
- 6
It was announced in March 2019, that Petula Clark would be returning to London's West End stage for the first time in 20 years, to perform in the upcoming revival of Mary Poppins as "The Bird Woman."
- Birthplace: Epsom, England
- 7
Herb still posts videos to his official YouTube channel, sharing the video for "Skinny Dip" in 2019.
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, USA, California
- 8
Sonny Rollins made a guest television appearance on The Simpsons in 2013, and in 2017, he donated his personal music archive to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- 9
Tom Lehrer released a compilation album, The Tom Lehrer Collection, in 2010.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
- 10
Faye Adams
Age: 97Faye Adams retired from the music industry in 1963.
- Birthplace: USA, Newark, New Jersey
- 11
Shirley Bassey still performed as late as 2019, with appearances at UNICEF's Summer Gala in August 2019, and the Ball & Boe TV Christmas Special in December 2019.
- Birthplace: United Kingdom
- 12
Richard Chamberlain received the Steiger Award for accomplishments in the arts on March 12, 2011.
- Birthplace: Beverly Hills, California, USA
The 30+ Best Richard Chamberlain MoviesSee all
- 1Wallenberg: A Hero's Story39 Votes
- 2The Count of Monte Cristo53 Votes
- 3The Last Wave37 Votes
- 13
Clarence Carter released the album Mr. Old School in January 2020.
- Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama
- 14
Cleo Laine released the album Jazz Matters in March 2010, as the final collaboration between her and late husband John Dankworth, who passed away in February of that year.
- Birthplace: Middlesex, England, UK
- 15
Cissy Houston performed as a backup singer for Aretha Franklin's performance on The Late Show with David Letterman on September 29, 2014. She has also long been the leader of the Youth Inspirational Choir at New Hope Baptist Church.
- Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, USA
- 16
In 2016, Johnny Mathis performed for sold out crowds as part of his 60th Anniversary Concert Tour. He also made a guest appearance in the season 14 finale of Criminal Minds in 2019.
- Birthplace: Gilmer, Texas, USA
- 17
Sugar Pie DeSanto kept busy in 2008, performing at Yoshi’s Jazz & Supper Club, The Chicago Blues Festival, and the Poretta Soul Festival in Poretta, Italy.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- 18
In 2018, Garth Brooks reinstated Bobby Bare's membership to the Grand Ole Opry.
- Birthplace: USA, Ironton, Ohio
- 19
In 1997, Nana Mouskouri put together a high-profile Concert for Peace at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. The concert was later released as an album, and aired as a TV special on PBS in the United States.
- Birthplace: Crete, Greece
- 20
Jack Ashford
Age: 86Jack Ashford performed on The Secret Sisters' second album, Put Your Needle Down in 2014.
- Birthplace: USA, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- 21
Shirley Jones has made plenty of musical and film appearances through the years, such as her cameo on Children's Hospital in 2016.
- Birthplace: Charleroi, Pennsylvania, USA
- 22
Kenny Burrell was named the founding director of the UCLA Jazz Studies program in 1996. In 2004, he created the Kenny Burrell Archive of African American Music at the UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies.
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
- 23
Abdul 'Duke' Fakir
Age: 84Abdul "Duke" Fakir appeared on the "Not My Job" segment of the NPR radio show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, which was broadcast on January 21, 2012.
- Birthplace: Michigan, USA, Detroit
- 24
Ronnie Dove
Age: 84Ronnie Dove reissued his 1967 album Cry digitally, sourced from newly available tapes in 2018. There are plans to re-release the other albums as well.
- Birthplace: Herndon, Virginia
- 25
Tommy DeVito left The Four Seasons' in April 1970, though he did join Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio on stage at the 2005 Broadway opening of Jersey Boys, the Tony Award-winning hit celebrating The Four Seasons.
- Birthplace: USA, Belleville, New Jersey
- 26
In 2001, Caterina Valente released the album Girltalk with harpist Catherine Michel.
- Birthplace: Paris, France
- 27
In July of 2012, Judy Collins appeared as a guest artist on Australian TV series, RocKwiz.
- Birthplace: USA, Washington, Seattle
- 28
In September of 2018, Tony Bennett earned Guinness World Record fame for re-recording the George Gershwin song, "Fascinating Rhythm," 68 years and 342 days after the first time he recorded it. The title he earned was "longest time between the release of an original recording and a re-recording of the same single by the same artist."
- Birthplace: Astoria, New York
- 29
John Mayall signed with the label Forty Below Records in 2013. He continues to create music, and has produced four albums since signing.
- Birthplace: England, Macclesfield
30John Leyton
Age: 89Renowned for his contributions to both television and music, John Leyton is best remembered for his hit single "Johnny Remember Me," which topped the UK Singles Chart in 1961.
- Birthplace: Frinton-on-Sea, England
- 31
Barry McGuire reunited with John York for a live tour called Trippin' the '60s in 2008.
- Birthplace: USA, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City
- 32
Sam Moore performed live at the Royal Albert Hall BBC Proms with Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra on September 1, 2017. It was a tribute concert to 50 years of Stax Records.
- Birthplace: USA, Florida, Miami
- 33
Willie Nelson still performs, posting on Twitter on September 1, 2020, that he would be a part of FarmAid's 35th anniversary (now virtual) festival on September 26, 2020.
- Birthplace: Abbott, Texas, USA
The Best Willie Nelson Movies & WesternsSee all- 1Honeysuckle Rose122 Votes
- 2Red Headed Stranger112 Votes
- 3Barbarosa82 Votes
- 34
Bobby Rush appeared in the 2015 documentary, I Am the Blues. He also starred as himself, performing "I Ain't Studdin' You," in the 2019 film Dolemite Is My Name.
- Birthplace: USA, Homer, Louisiana
- 35
Carol Kaye was featured in the 2008 documentary The Wrecking Crew.
- Birthplace: Everett, Washington
- 36
Julie Andrews voiced Karathen in James Wan movie Aquaman in 2018. She continues to work in Hollywood - though she did decline a cameo in 2018's Mary Poppins Returns, so as to not take attention away from Emily Blunt.
- Birthplace: Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England, UK
The Best Julie Andrews MoviesSee all- 1The Sound of Music459 Votes
- 2Mary Poppins428 Votes
- 3The Princess Diaries295 Votes
- 37
Sherlie Matthews
Age: 86In 2010, Sherlie Matthews released the solo single, "I'm A Cute Little Gay Boy, Inside."
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- 38
Yoko Ono released the album Warzone, a collection of re-recorded versions of songs she had previously released, in October 2018.
- Birthplace: Japan, Tokyo
