12 Of The Oldest Musicians Ever In The Charts

In the era of teen pop idols, it’s important to remember that there are a few oldies that have cranked out some big hits well into their senior years. If you’re an aspiring musician then at least this list proves it’s never too late to crack the charts – even if you have to team up with someone to do it. And there are no doubt a bunch more that I have missed so please let me know in the comments below so I can add them to this oldest musicians list.

1. The Zimmers (3120 years old)

Yep, with their version of My Generation in 2007, the combined age of the 40 members of The Zimmers was 3120 years! Lead singer Alf Carretta was 90, drummer Buster Martin was 100 – the oldest person ever to chart – and Winifred Warburton was oldest woman in the group at 99.



2. John Lee Hooker (75 years old)

The legendary Boom Boom made number 16 in 1992 (after also being a hit in 1962 for him!).

3. Tony Bennett (85 years old)

Bennett became the oldest living artist ever to chart on the Hot 100 when his duet with Amy Winehouse – Body and Soul reached #87 in 2011.



4. Willie Nelson (70 years old)

His duet with Toby Keith, Beer For My Horses hit number one in 2003.



5. Cher (52 years old)

She may not have looked it, but she was 52 when Believe topped the US charts in 1999 making her the oldest to have a #1 Billboard song.



6. Louis Armstrong (66 years old)

Satchmo was 66 when What A Wonderful World/Cabaret was a hitin Feb 1968. And when he was 62 he became the oldest male artist to top the Hot 100 with Hello, Dolly! in May 9, 1964.



7. Dolly Parton (60 years old)

When I Get Where I’m Going, a duet with Brad Paisley, went to the top of the charts in 2006. She also holds the distinction of being the oldest female artist with a top 40 hit.



8. Reba McEntire (55 years old)

The oldest country female to have a solo #1 with Turn On the Radio in 2011.



9. Shirley Bassey (70 years old)

Pretty impressive final hit for her when The Living Tree entered the charts in May 2007.



10. George Burns (84 years old)

Yep, the cigar-toker was 84 years old when I Wish I Was Eighteen Again was a smash in 1980.



11. Larry Adler (80 years old)

Cracked the Top 40 with his Kate Bush duet The Man I Love in 1994.



12. Andy Williams (80 years old)

The reissue of his 1963 recording It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year was a hit in 1987.

