Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: Rock 'n' Rollers, Getting Older

Yes, the headline refers to David Bowie's old song, Changes:
"Hey, look out you rock 'n' rollers... Pretty soon now you're gonna be getting older."

I was reminded of this by last month's landmark for Mr. Bowie himself: Yes, Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke, has turned 60. He gave up the flaming red spiked hair and the heavy make-up long ago, but he continues to make innovative and interesting music. Along with acting and producing music.

While Bowie's 60th got a fair amount of ink in the press (and electrons on the Internet?), Patti Smith reached the same milestone with much less fanfare. And like Bowie, she's been through many changes and is still putting out music that matters.

Sadly, a couple of my favorite artists who are no longer living also had birthdays recently. Warren Zevon, the Excitable Boy himself, died several years ago. And the birthday of the great gospel and pop singer/songwriter Sam Cooke also occurred in January. Forutnately his music lives on, and a couple of recent books about him give great insight about the man, his music, his role in directing his career, and the still-mysterious circumtances surrounding his death.