74 Is The New 24

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Original Air Date: 
July 19, 2015

Who says you have to be young to be a pop star? According to Giorgio Moroder, the godfather of disco, "74 is the new 24." Or so says a song on his new album, "Deja Vu." But the proclamation may not be that far off. This hour, we talk to two other septuagenarian musicians in addition to Moroder who are still productively making music: the 74-year-old political folk singer Buffy Sainte-Marie, and the 78-year-old minimalist composer Philip Glass. It turns out that playing music late in life also has some neurological benefits. We also talk to Francine Toder, a psychologist who says that learning and playing music benefits the brain.

Giorgio Moroder—The 75-year-old Father of Disco—is Back

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Giorgio Moroder is 75 years old, DJing in front of huge crowds, and experiencing a level of success that he hasn't seen since the 1970s—when he produced some of the first, biggest, and best songs of the disco era. 

Buffy Sainte-Marie on Her New Album, "Power in the Blood"

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74 year-old Cree musician Buffy Sainte-Marie has done a lot since she was 24. She got her Ph.D. She got politically active in the American Indian Movement and the anti-GMO movement. She raised a family. She was even on Sesame Street for five seasons—and was the first woman to breast feed on American television.

But most of us know Buffy Sainte-Marie as an iconic 60s folk singer with such hits as "Universal Soldier" and "It's My Way." And now, some 50 years after her debut album, Buffy has a new one. It’s called “Power in the Blood.” This new CD proves that this Oscar, Juno, and Golden Globe award-winning woman's career is not over yet.

The Benefits of Playing Music in Your Vintage Years

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Thinking about taking piano lessons at 69? Or violin at 73? Maybe guitar after you retire? Well, even if you're not thinking about those things, maybe you should be. According to Francine Toder, author of “The Vintage Years,” learning a musical instrument is one of the best things you can do for your mind and body as you get older.

Old Masters and Young Geniuses

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David Galenson teaches Economics at the University of Chicago, and he's the author of a book called "Old Masters and Young Geniuses: The Two Life Cycles of Artistic Creativity." His theory is that most artists are either old masters like Cezanne or young geniuses like Picasso.

Philip Glass on his Memoir "Words Without Music"

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The music of avant-garde composer Philip Glass is distinct and memorable. His span reaches across opera and symphonies to film scores and popular music. One cannot exaggerate the influence this world-renowned composer has had on modern classic music. And now, at 78, Philip Glass has given us one more work to ponder: his memoir, called “Words Without Music.”

Extras

Background Music: Love to Love You Baby, --I Feel Love, --A Cellist of Sarajevo, --Blue Monk, --From Here to Eternity, --Giorgio by Moroder (Daft Punk), --It's My Way (1964 Original), --Universal Soldier, --Music in 12 Parts (Philip Glass), --Dance IV for Organ (Philip Glass), --Opening (Philip Glass), --Einstein on the Beach (Philip Glass), --Melodies for Saxophone (Philip Glass)

Show Details 📻
Airdates
July 19, 2015
May 01, 2016
Guests: 

Giorgio Moroder

Buffy Sainte-Marie

Francine Toder

Psychologist and Author
doctoder.com
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David Galenson

Professor
Philip Glass

Philip Glass

Composer
philipglass.com
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Categories: 
Music
Last modified: 
August 02, 2024