They said rock ‘n’ roll wouldn’t last. But here we are in 2025, and a handful of artists who once ruled the stage in 1965 are still out there, defying time, rewriting the limits of longevity, and proving the power of a well-worn guitar riff. Here’s a look at the legends who’ve laced up their boots six decades apart.
The Rolling Stones are still grinding out stadium tours with the same bluesy swagger they had when “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” topped the charts in ’65. With Mick Jagger still prancing and Keith Richards somehow immune to time, the Stones’ Hackney Diamonds tour has proven their immortality isn’t just myth—it’s muscle memory.
Bob Dylan, the voice of a generation, remains as mercurial and magnetic as ever. In 1965, he went electric at Newport and changed the face of music forever. Now, at 83, he’s deep into his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour, crooning through gravel and wisdom with a setlist as unpredictable as his legacy.
Ringo Starr still hits the road with his All Starr Band, keeping the spirit of Beatlemania alive for a new generation. In 1965, he was dodging screaming fans; in 2025, he’s grinning through a drum solo and telling jokes between songs. Peace and love never sounded so sharp.
Dion DiMucci, the Bronx street-corner crooner turned folk-blues philosopher, released new music this year and shows no signs of slowing down. He opened for Buddy Holly once—now he’s collaborating with Springsteen. Longevity isn’t just about staying power; it’s about evolving, and Dion’s still got the spark.
Willie Nelson, at 92, is still on the road—because of course he is. Back in 1965, he was penning classics like “Crazy” and cutting his teeth in Nashville. Now, he’s headlining the Outlaw Music Festival tour with his sons by his side and more weed jokes than ever. The braids may be silver, but the voice is pure gold.
Eric Clapton played with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1965 and was earning his “Clapton is God” graffiti in London. In 2025, he’s still performing selective dates with jaw-dropping precision, his guitar tone as iconic as his legacy. He’s proof that the blues doesn’t age—it just gets deeper.
Judy Collins, the folk matriarch with the crystalline voice, is still mesmerizing audiences at 85. In 1965, she was introducing Leonard Cohen to the world. Now, she’s still filling concert halls with grace, poetry, and timeless renditions of “Both Sides Now.”
The Beach Boys may look different in 2025, but Mike Love continues to lead the group on tour with a surf-rock smile and a suitcase full of sunshine. From their 1965 Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) peak to the present, they’re still chasing that endless summer across stages worldwide.
Herb Alpert was topping charts with the Tijuana Brass in 1965, selling more records than The Beatles that year. In 2025, he’s still releasing albums and showcasing his artwork, proving that creativity can flow long after the spotlight fades.
Rod Stewart had his first hit in 1964 with Long John Baldry and was playing with the Jeff Beck Group by 1965. Fast-forward to 2025, and he’s still selling out arenas, mixing Vegas swagger with rock nostalgia and somehow never running out of leopard print.
Paul Simon was introducing the world to “The Sound of Silence” with Art Garfunkel in 1965. This year, at 83, he’s releasing new music and appearing at literary festivals discussing the poetry of songwriting, reminding us all that his words are stitched into American memory.
The Zombies, who broke out in ’65 with “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No,” reunited in the 2000s and haven’t stopped since. With original members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent still delivering psychedelic pop perfection, they continue to charm crowds with vintage magic and new material alike.
Roger McGuinn, co-founder of The Byrds, remains active on the folk circuit, wielding his signature Rickenbacker with the same twelve-string jangle that defined 1965’s “Mr. Tambourine Man.” While The Byrds have long since flown, McGuinn’s solo shows still shimmer with the electric folk mystique that helped birth psychedelic rock.
Paul McCartney, though not currently touring in 2025, recently played massive shows on his Got Back tour and continues to release music that blurs pop brilliance with classic rock roots. In ’65, he was busy redefining pop music; today, he’s a living monument to melody, still thrilling crowds across the world.
They’re not just survivors—they’re torchbearers. These icons remind us that while decades change, real rock ‘n’ roll doesn’t rust.