@theladebug – I worked on a TV show that had James Brown on after he got out of prison. Offstage, he was a shambling, shuffling, Bob-forsaken mess who needed his then-wife to lead him by the arm (and she was a bitch of monumental proportions).
The moment he got onstage and the music started up, that sick-looking guy melted away and in his place was a DYNAMO! The Godfather of Soul slithered and shimmied. He growled. He shook everything what his mama gave him, and his backbone did not slip. He was utterly amazing. I think he was in his mid-60s at the time. I don’t know how the hell that happened. It was like Michigan J. Frog in reverse. May Mr Brown rest in peace.
I went to see Wire (who I think are in their mid-50s now) last year and they were great! Their musicianship, if anything, is better than in their heyday, though they look like high school history teachers.