Paul Kelly on Turning Seventy: 13th Floor MusicTalk Interview
Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly marks his seventieth birthday alongside his new album titled Seventy. Veteran artist Paul shares thoughts on reaching this milestone and the meaning it holds, in a conversation with The 13th Floor's Marty Duda.
Interview with Marty Duda
Marty: "The album is Seventy, you are 70, and believe it or not, I’m 70 too. So I’m even more curious to hear about your thoughts because it seems to be a major thing, doesn’t it?"
Paul reflects on aging and how perceptions change with certain birthdays:
Paul: "I’ve never been one to pay attention to how old I am, but suddenly it’s the way people treat you. I remember three big birthdays clearly.
He describes turning forty as a significant moment:
Paul: "Forty felt like a big birthday. It felt like, okay, you know, this is, I’m an adult now. And 40 was also the first time that people I’ve grown up with, or worked with, or friends, started dying. That does happen in the music business, as quite a few of us die young."
This reflection highlights the bittersweet nature of aging in the music industry, where reaching seventy is a noteworthy milestone contrasted with the losses along the way.
Paul Kelly’s Perspective on Age
- Never focused on his exact age until societal treatment changed.
- Recognizes turning forty as a pivotal adult moment.
- Experienced the first personal losses in his forties, common in the music scene.
- Celebrates reaching seventy with new creative work.
Author's summary: Paul Kelly embraces seventy as both a personal milestone and creative phase, reflecting on aging and loss within the music world without losing his artistic spirit.