Donny, most musician/entertainers don't drop dead on stage. The vast majority die after suffering debilitating illnesses, some that may last up to a decade before that final day arrives. Of all the musician/entertainers I know, and I know a lot of them, only one dropped dead on the job - Jimmy McKinney, which was a forum member and good friend. Jimmy was a great keyboard player, and an outstanding sax player. Jimmy shoved every dime he made into his pocket, (most of his jobs were cash), then went about finding new ways to piss it away. He never put a penny in the bank, never figured on retiring, and he didn't. When he died, his wife was slammed with debt that she never knew existed. There were bills that came in from places she never heard of, and when he departed this wonderful world, he left her with more than a quarter-million in unpaid bills. He had a dozen credit cards that were in both names, but she never knew that, and they were all maxed out. He had no life insurance, no retirement, no bank account, and lived the high life right up till the end.

Now, NOTHING - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, in this world is free. Someone pays for everything. Even love isn't free. Remember the free love of the 70s? We're still paying for that one. There is NO free ride! Someone, somewhere, pays the tab for everything in this world. Hell, you can't even die for free - the funeral industry is a huge enterprise, one that makes a killing on people dying of natural causes. In this instance, I'm going to cheat the bastards, though. My carcass will be donated to the University Of Maryland School of Medicine. When they're finished with me, they'll cook me down to a box of ashes and send me home.

So, judging from your response above, can I assume that you have not set up an IRA? I sincerely hope you have, if for no other reason, for your family's sake when you take the dirt nap. Dying ain't cheap.

Gary

I wish I could have retired when I was around 14...then I could have played just for the fun of it and wasted the profits on silliness like food, clothing and shelter.

Ian

I know a lot of guys that pray for that scenario . Guess it depends on the relationship you have with your spouse. Anyway, maybe that's the price they pay for outliving us. Wherever possible, women should always marry for money, not love. Much safer. Plus, it would inspire us guys to work harder to make more money.

Just an alternate POV.

chas

Well, there he goes ... spreading that good old Maryland sunshine around!

I drove a taxi in Melbourne Australia for 7 years and actually drove an armed holdup getaway with a sawn off shotgun at the back of my head ... you gotta do whatya gotta do to survive.

How much was the split Nigel?
Were you Darcy Dugan's driver ??
Ray

I drove cab part time for about a year to help out a buddy, and the worst thing that happened to me was a little old lady (who must have been in her 90's) sat in the back and kicked the back of the front seat all the while yelling for me to drive faster!

She was going to the liquor store...which was where I left her, the charming old bat.

Jeeeez! That was quite an experience to go through, Nigel, and I suspect you were pretty careful not to drive over any bumps, lest that shotgun went off accidentally...in any case, I'm sure the last thing you wanted going through your mind was a load of buckshot!

You were a lucky man...sometimes robbers will "neutralize" any witnesses , not to mention the chance of being shot by the coppers if a shootout should occur.

Ian

After a particularly bumpy landing (max crosswind), I had a 'little old lady' ask if we landed or were we shot down. Charming old bat.

chas

THE DEAD MUSICIANS DIRECTORY
a site about dead musicians and how they got that way

http://elvispelvis.com/grimreaper.htm

This thread got so morbid and sad, I thought I'd put the final cap on it. Break out your hankies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaAgJBAvWP0

chas