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Nifty, nifty! Look who's 50! Music
from: rockymountainnews.com
by Jay Dedrick
Pop's three biggest solo stars of the '80s are headed for AARP membership. It may come as a shock to the MTV generation, but Madonna, Prince and Michael Jackson all turn 50 in 2008.
They're not the only '80s icons reaching the half-century mark this year: JOAN JETT, Duran Duran's Simon LeBon, Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx and a pair of Go-Go's (Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin) all can plan 50th birthday parties.
Decades ago, the big Five-Oh would have been cause for panic, or at least denial, for most pop stars. But as baby boomers continue to redefine age (Is 60 the new 45 or the new 40?), celebrity culture seems more likely to celebrate seniority than hide from it. Elton John, for one, made a concert event of his 60th birthday last year, then marketed it on CD and DVD.
So what can we expect from the singing, dancing triumvirate as they hit the half-century mark?
Prince
Turns 50 on June 7
The outlook: The Purple Puzzler has spent recent months spiting his audience, insisting that fan-run Web sites remove all Prince photos and lyrics, citing copyright infringement. In the meantime, his own official Web site, 3121.com, has literally gone black.
Michael Jackson
Turns 50 on Aug. 29
The outlook: The former King of Pop would have liked to be headlining in Las Vegas by now, but the gamble proved too risky even for owners of mega-casinos. That would seem to leave him available for a Jackson 5 reunion. But his sister Janet admitted recently that her brother may not be keen on a tour where he's not the sole star. Michael says he has recorded his own 25th anniversary Thriller tribute album with guests including will.i.am, who takes over for Paul McCartney on The Girl Is Mine.
Madonna
Turns 50 on Aug. 16
The outlook: After being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month, she'll deliver a new album in April featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. It's her last studio outing for Warner Bros., which recently lost the Material Girl to Live Nation for $120 million. A world tour this spring and summer is likely.
Who's next?
They'll be 50 in . . .
* Bono (U2) 2010
* Jon Bon Jovi 2012
* Whitney Houston 2013
* Janet Jackson 2016
* Celine Dion 2018
* Mariah Carey 2019
* Justin Timberlake 2031
The half-century club
For more clues to the future, here's what some top musicians accomplished at age 50. Many held lavish parties. Several remained top tour draws. One was knighted. And at least one dated someone half her age.
Bruce Springsteen
Turned 50 on Sept. 23, 1999
On his birthday, he was in the middle of a hugely successful reunion tour with the E Street Band. He opened his Philadelphia show with Growing Up. The tour's $53 million take was second only to the Rolling Stones in 1999. In June, Springsteen courted controversy by performing a new song, American Skin (41 Shots), inspired by a racially charged police shooting earlier in the year in New York.
Don Henley
Turned 50 on July 22, 1997
Between lucrative Eagles tours, the singer-songwriter earned a National Humanities Medal and was honored by President Clinton for helping to establish the Thoreau Institute. Reunited with the Eagles for their January 1998 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Elton John
Turned 50 on March 25, 1997
After the August 1997 death of Princess Diana, he recast Candle in the Wind as an ode to her. Sales of the single generated $32 million, which he contributed to the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. Watched his Lion King songs gain new life in the Broadway version of the Disney animated film. Knighted as Sir Reginald Kenneth Dwight by Queen Elizabeth in February '98.
Diana Ross
Turned 50 on March 26, 1994
The onetime Supremes star had an up-and-down summer: In June, she opened the World Cup in Chicago; the next month, she tripped on her dress and fell to the stage at a London concert. Won career achievement honors from the Soul Train Music Awards.
Paul McCartney
Turned 50 on June 18, 1992
Began work on the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts, a rehabilitation of his boyhood school. Commissioned to compose a classical work, Liverpool Oratorio, which debuted in August '92. Released a studio album, Off the Ground, and toured the world in '93, making a stop at Boulder's Folsom Stadium in May.
Barbra Streisand
Turned 50 on April 24, 1992
After the November passage in Colorado of Amendment 2, which banned state laws that protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation, Streisand led the call for a boycott of Colorado. It ended 13 months later, after the amendment was declared unconstitutional. Earlier in 1992, her political activity was geared toward supporting Bill Clinton's first White House run. Reportedly dated tennis star Andre Agassi - age 22 at the time.
Mick Jagger
Turned 50 on July 26, 1993
Then-wife Jerry Hall, fellow Rolling Stones and about 300 friends helped him celebrate two weeks early in London with a French Revolution-themed party - complete with guillotine. Spent his actual birthday in Dublin recording the next Stones album, Voodoo Lounge, which arrived in '94, accompanied by a spate of "Too old to rock?" media commentary - which continues anytime the Stones release an album and tour.
Tina Turner
Turned 50 on Nov. 26, 1989
Celebrated her birthday with boyfriend Erwin Bach, 34, at a lavish party in London. Among the guests: Bryan Adams, Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton. Toured Europe in support of her Foreign Affair album, featuring The Best, her lasting gift to ESPN and sports arenas everywhere.
David Bowie
Turned 50 on Jan. 8, 1997
Rock's original master of reinvention celebrated the landmark with a Madison Square Garden concert that featured the Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Billy Corgan and other alt-rockers. Sold $55 million worth of bonds to investors looking to reap the benefits of royalties from his back catalog. Signed a $30 million contract with EMI and edged Paul McCartney as the world's richest rock star.
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