29.05.2026
Paul McCartney just dropped a new collection of music that his fans are warmly receiving as a late-career masterpiece. The forever Beatle will turn 84 next month. Neil Young, the baby here at a mere 80-years-young, released a new live set with his latest band, The Chrome Hearts, today as well. Bob Dylan turned 85 last Sunday and is out on the Never-Ending Tour right now reportedly doing his most inspired playing in years. The fucking Rolling Stones, for God’s sake, have a new album coming out in July in time for Mick’s 83rd birthday, the same day as my 60th.
I am sure that none of these artists imagined that they would still be at it this far down the road, but I am heartened by their ability to keep at it. There is something about playing music that truly feeds the soul. I was almost tempted to say “keeps you young,” but obviously that is not the case. It keeps you young at heart, perhaps, but youth itself isn’t what this is about. Now into their respective eighth decades, most of these artists look rode hard and put back wet, but that’s what gives them gravitas.
That is a big reason that the video the Stones released for their lead single, In the Stars, is so dispiriting. In it, an AI-created ’70s-era Rolling Stones plays the song for a happy crowd of vintage clothing enthusiasts. It’s too bad because it’s not a bad song, but someone decided that the Rolling Stones looked too old to what… be rock stars? They helped invent that shit.
The Stones have been at it a minute longer than I’ve been alive. I’ve grown up watching them go through their changes, and loving a good portion of it. I mean, I’m no longer dewy, and I’m just supposed to forget that, as far as I’m concerned, Keith and the boys have always been around? It’s disrespectful, and not in a cool, anti-establishment way.
I hate to even think it, but once you start playing with this particular fire, you are opening yourself to the question, what else here is AI? Does the hit machine keep cranking along after our heroes can’t physically do it any more. If there was a market for it, I’m afraid that someone would make that Devil’s bargain. I think we have to be clear about where we stand as fans.
Fuck AI. Long live rock and roll!
Román Leão 
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