Don't know if I agree with you on that. Unless when you say 'playing', you mean 'staying in the spotlight', 'being adored by millions of fans', 'worshiped as gods', 'constantly being told that they are as good or better than ever, even when way past their prime (Rolling Stones?)', 'satisfying the need to (continue to) feel young and relevant', or maybe just testing the waters to see if they've still 'got it'.

I think the guys that still "like playing more than they like money" are the ones that, despite their wealth and fame, will drop by the local pub and sit in with the house band. Happens frequently in Jazz, 'though few jazz musicians have the fame, wealth, recognition, notoriety, and star power of the average rock star (could be part of the price you pay for putting 'the music' first). Of course, there IS something to be said for tooling around in your own jet, owning castles in the south of France, banging supermodels and movie stars, and trashing hotel rooms with impunity. I guess it just depends on what's important to you.

So, what's it going to be, 20+ years of being Janet Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimmi Hendrix, OR 70+ years of being say, Quincy Jones.

chas