I don't know the answer to this one. Golden Earring, the Stones and ZZ Top come to mind.
I'm sure we did this before and I think we agreed it was the Stones.
Yeah~ the Stones 50th Anniversary is comin' up!
If Wikipedia is to be trusted, it says Golden Earring formed a year before the Stones.
The Zombies
Quote from: Rob on December 14, 2010, 04:20:40 PM
The Zombies
It depends on what month they were formed, since Golden Earring was also formed in 1961.
The Shadows are still touring, and formed in 1959.
(http://i55.tinypic.com/314bddl.jpg) :mrgreen:
I think the Beach Boys started up in 1961 but I had NO idea Golden Earring has been around since the same year.
Maybe it's a better question to ask "What's the oldest rock band in existence with at least one original member".
Quote from: Denis on December 14, 2010, 05:02:02 PM
Maybe it's a better question to ask "What's the oldest rock band in existence with at least one original member".
The Shadows still have two original members. That's pretty good for 51 years on the road.
Quote from: Aussie Mark on December 14, 2010, 05:13:29 PM
The Shadows still have two original members. That's pretty good for 51 years on the road.
Oh yeah, you might have the winner!!!
Thinking about it, I guess the Beach Boys aren't around as a group anymore...
The Fireballs were founded by George Tomsco in January 1958. They're still playing (sometimes with Jimmy Gilmer) with George and another original member.
The Ventures were founded sometime in 1958 and are still touring. Original members Don Wilson and Nokie Edwards are still there.
If we consider solo rockers, Chuck Berry's been rocking since at least 1955 and Jerry Lee Lewis since at least '56. Both still tour too.
Well, yeah, but that wasn't the question!
I believe ZZ Top is the clear winner if original members come into play. I was just listening to Tejas the other day. Pan Am Highway Blues is a great song.
Quote from: Hörnisse on December 14, 2010, 09:46:15 PM
I believe ZZ Top is the clear winner if original members come into play.
1969, with ALL original members. Could be hard to beat.
Quote from: Hörnisse on December 14, 2010, 09:46:15 PM
I believe ZZ Top is the clear winner if original members come into play. I was just listening to Tejas the other day. Pan Am Highway Blues is a great song.
"Asleep in the Desert" is my favorite off that album.
Golden Earring also has all the original members, as far as I know. The only difference is that they added a couple people in the '90s, who have since left.
Quote from: gweimer on December 15, 2010, 08:15:09 AM
Golden Earring also has all the original members, as far as I know. The only difference is that they added a couple people in the '90s, who have since left.
From Wikipedia, "Golden Earring was formed in 1961 in The Hague by 13-year-old George Kooymans and his 15-year-old neighbour, Rinus Gerritsen. Originally called The Tornados, the name was changed to Golden Earrings when they discovered that The Tornados was already in use by another group."
So, half the band is original, although the other two members joined in '68 and '70. Still, that's 40 years with the current lineup!
All right, you nitpickers. Can anyone name a band that's been together longer than The Fireballs? They recorded with Norman Petty in Clovis, for pity's sake.
The Crickets were around earlier but they broke up briefly before Buddy died and reformed after.
Quote from: Dave W on December 15, 2010, 04:59:42 PM
All right, you nitpickers. Can anyone name a band that's been together longer than The Fireballs? They recorded with Norman Petty in Clovis, for pity's sake.
The Crickets were around earlier but they broke up briefly before Buddy died and reformed after.
As far as I'm concerned, it's the Fireballs. The facts are there to prove it. Actually, this turned out to be pretty interesting.
When was the last time The Fireballs released a record?
Quote from: Hörnisse on December 15, 2010, 07:57:29 PM
When was the last time The Fireballs released a record?
I don't know. Out of these bands that have been mentioned, ZZ Top and Golden Earring are the only ones I keep up with. I'm not sure about ZZ Top, but Golden Earring will be working on an album in 2011.
Ace released a Fireballs compilation in 2006. They haven't released new material in years. Why does that matter? Chaser's question was what's the oldest rock band in existence. They've been a band for almost 53 years. Anyone know any rock bands that have been around longer?
There is another Dutch band, called the Bintangs, which excist one year longer than the Stones.
The Tielman Brothers even longer. The brothers started playing as a group in 1946 (!)
Only surviving member Andy Tielman still performs as lead guitarist with the Tielman Brothers.
in 1960 they looked like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvC2_nsVJv0
Still "rocking" in 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an2GhAxBjQQ
http://www.classicbands.com/FireballsInterview.html
This is a good interview with the lead guitarist of the Fireballs. I looked and didn't see what year that interview was conducted. So I don't know about that. But it's an honest and informative interview.
Dare I expand it to "bands" in a popular genre... The Glenn Miller Orchestra...? full time since 1956 - formed by original members and some "originals" did dep from time to time - not sure if any are still living...
There are bound to be much older "classical" orchestras...?
Well, if you insist on expanding it to any kind of popular music, I can't think of any band that's been together longer than the Light Crust Doughboys -- they just put out an 80th anniversary album. Led in recent years by Art Greenhaw, who always comes up in an image search for Gibson EB-650.
"Gospel" must have an influence...
An outfit my wife likes, the Oak Ridge Boys, have been running (sort of) since 1945...
Quote from: Kenny's 51st State on December 16, 2010, 12:43:10 PM
"Gospel" must have an influence...
An outfit my wife likes, the Oak Ridge Boys, have been running (sort of) since 1945...
Ok, then I can identify with that since I'm not far from Nashville. The Oak Ridge Boys are pretty well-known here. But if they are going to be considered a rock band, then I submit that this is a gospel band. Skillet, contemporary Christian (with a young English female drummer, great with back up vocals).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-iB9qKZ2HI&feature=related
ORB's - definitely not rock, Michael, just great harmony work... ;)
Quote from: Kenny's 51st State on December 16, 2010, 04:06:42 PM
ORB's - definitely not rock, Michael, just great harmony work... ;)
Yes, definitely. They are legendary.
Quote from: Dave W on December 15, 2010, 10:27:36 PM
Ace released a Fireballs compilation in 2006. They haven't released new material in years. Why does that matter?
It doesn't. I just wanted to piss you off. 8)