Last night, I stood among a crowd of all ages, watching two men in their seventies absolutely own the stage.
Billy Gibbons and George Thorogood — both 75, both long past the age when the world expects you to be relevant — delivered performances that were tight, commanding, and unforgettable.
As someone who thinks a lot about leadership, it struck me how much wisdom was woven into their show.
George Thorogood went first
He brought his usual full-force energy: prowling the stage, firing up the crowd, playing hit after hit without missing a beat. And when he finished, you could feel the crowd’s reluctance to let him go.
There was no encore — not because he didn’t deserve one, but because the show required a swift stage changeover for ZZ Top. That moment could’ve felt abrupt, even disappointing. But it didn’t.
George had given everything. There was no sense of holding back. Just a full-hearted performance and a clean, professional exit.
Sometimes leadership is knowing when your part is done — even when others want more — and trusting that the next act will carry the show.
Then Billy Gibbons took the stage
Cool, understated, absolutely in control. His style couldn’t have been more different — minimal movement, sly humour, effortless tone.
And the crowd, including a surprisingly large number of younger fans, were with him. Singing. Dancing. Hanging on every note.
That’s when it hit me:
Relevance isn’t about age — it’s about presence.
It’s about showing up in a way that’s true to who you are, and letting experience do the heavy lifting.
Billy didn’t try to be who he was at 30. He wasn’t trying to impress. He just stood there, completely himself — and drew the crowd in.
I’ll admit — I’m not a fan in the classic sense
My husband is the longtime ZZ Top and George Thorogood devotee in our household. I went for the experience, not expecting to feel much more than appreciation for two seasoned performers.
But what surprised me was the crowd.
There were women all around me — not just there with their partners, but there for themselves. Singing along. Lighting up when a favourite track began. Fully engaged.
I’d expected a mostly male crowd, especially among the younger fans, but that wasn’t the case. Thorogood’s set drew the rock-loving blokes, but when ZZ Top took the stage? It was the younger women who got up. Dancing, smiling, word-perfect.
Good leadership — like good music — doesn’t just speak to one kind of person.
When you deliver with authenticity, the right people feel seen.
Both performers clearly recognised that connection. They didn’t just play to the crowd — they acknowledged it.
With decades of material behind them, they could’ve coasted. But they didn’t. They tuned into the audience’s energy, let fans know they were heard, and invited them into the moment.
One more thing stood out to me: the support behind the stars
George’s band — The Destroyers — have been with him for decades. You could feel the ease, the chemistry, the way they instinctively played off each other.
And Billy’s band included long-time technicians who had stepped into performance roles — trusted hands who now share the spotlight.
Great leaders don’t stand alone — they stand with people who’ve grown with them, behind the scenes and beside them on stage.
Both acts were polished, professional, and well-rehearsed — not overproduced, but tight. That kind of consistency doesn’t come from constant reinvention. It comes from knowing your team, backing each other, and building trust over time.
When it all ended, something interesting happened
There wasn’t a mad rush for the exits. The crowd moved slowly, peacefully. Content. There was a sense of shared satisfaction — not hyped up, just quietly full.
My husband, who was thrilled with the show, took a while to wind down. He happily relived the best moments, smiling to himself. He didn’t need me to mirror his excitement or validate it — he was just genuinely pleased.
That, too, felt like a lesson.
When something’s truly fulfilling, it doesn’t need to be propped up. It stands on its own.
So here’s what I walked away with
Know when to lead and when to step back.
Read the room, and honour the people in it.
Be true to your style — and let that consistency build trust over time.
Don’t fall for the lie that you’re “past it” just because you’re older.
And never underestimate the quiet power of a well-prepared, trusted team.
Billy and George didn’t just play music — they modelled mastery, timing, and grace.
Leadership doesn’t fade with age.
If anything, it gets sharper — more refined, more human, and more generous.
Sometimes you don’t need a thunderous encore.
Just a well-earned moment of quiet satisfaction.
Still Want to Make an Impact? You’re Not Past It.
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