21 Formative UK Punk Musicians Over 50

There’s always talk of the aging rockers like the Stones, still cranking it out in their 70s, but I was recently thinking about the most influential genre for me: punk. Funny thing is that I still love listening to the music of the late 70s/early 80s as much as ever… but it did make me realise that my heroes at that time are now getting on a bit themselves – pretty much everyone from that original UK era are now punk musicians over 50 and well beyond. Hell, Jet Black from The Stranglers is in his late 70s! So here’s a little list (with birthdays) to make you think about how some of the most influential, radical, bucking the system, performers are actually getting older! I’ve kept it to performers still with us – eliminating many who have sadly passed away – as well as just the UK crew (they were the key ones for me, although bands like The Ramones and Dead Kennedys also have spot in my heart). Obviously there are many missing here, so as always feel free to add to the list in the comments section below.

1. John Lydon (31/1/56)
2. Steve Jones (3/9/55)
3. Paul Cook (20/7/56)
4. Glen Matlock (27/8/56)
5. Paul Weller (25/5/58)
6. Bruce Foxton (1/9/55)
7. Rick Buckler (6/12/55)
8. Paul Simonen (15/12/55)
9. Mick Jones (26/6/55)
10. Topper Headon (30/5/55)
11. Rat Scabies (30/7/55)
12. Pete Shelley (17/4/55)
13. Howard Devoto (15/3/52)
14. Siouxsie Sioux (27/5/57)
15. Steven Severin (25/9/55)
16. Jimmy Pursey (9/2/55)
17. Jean-Jacques “JJ” Burnel (21/2/52)
18. Jet Black (26/8/38)
19. Elvis Costello (25/8/54)
20. Wilko Johnson (12/7/47)
21. Nick Lowe (24/3/49)