At 87, David Freiberg Is the Oldest Rock Star Still Touring

Rock ‘n’ roll was once a young man’s game. Not so much anymore. As time marches on, we’re seeing many rock icons performing well into old age.

Pete Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey of The Who, currently on their farewell tour, are 80 and 81. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger are keeping the Rolling Stones alive at 81 and 82, while the fantastic Paul McCartney is still touring at 83. Even former Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr is still active at 85!

Yet none of these legendary rockers hold the distinction of being the oldest rock star still touring. That honor goes to a multi-instrumentalist and singer named David Freiberg, who was a founding member of the legendary San Francisco band Quicksilver Messenger Service, played with Jefferson Airplane, and continues to perform with Jefferson Starship at the incredible age of 87.

David Freiberg: The Oldest Rocker Still Touring

Less famous than Jagger or McCartney, Freiberg has been on the rock scene since the kaleidoscopic days of the late ’60s, sharing the stage with Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, and Jimi Hendrix. He joined Jefferson Airplane, contributing guitar, bass, keyboards, and vocals, just as the band morphed into the more commercial Jefferson Starship.

Now at the remarkable age of 87, Freiberg still records and tours with Jefferson Starship, the group behind such classics as “Jane”, “Miracles”, and “Find Your Way Back.” While most of his peers have either retired, scaled back, or died, Freiberg continues to defy age and bask in the rock and roll spotlight.

I saw Freiberg perform at Wild Horse Pass & Casino in Phoenix in 2021 when Jefferson Starship shared the stage with Blue Öyster Cult. It amazed me that a man his age was out there rocking the bass and occasionally belting out tunes. Freiberg defies expectations and proves that rock and roll is no longer simply a youthful vocation.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Now Spans Generations

Rock music once symbolized youth and rebellion. Today, not so much. It’s been around so long now that it’s the go-to music for many parents and grandparents. It doesn’t dominate our culture the way that it used to, but it’s still alive and well. Young people continue to discover it, which is evident from t-shirts, concert attendance, and streaming habits.

David Freiberg’s longevity proves that rock music has a lasting impact. His presence onstage demonstrates how rock doesn’t fade away as the musicians who make it get older. Freiberg is living proof that rock ‘n’ roll isn’t about age—it’s about passion, spirit, and connecting with the audience.