Paul Kelly On Turning Seventy: 13th Floor MusicTalk Interview
Paul Kelly, the veteran Australian singer-songwriter, celebrates his seventieth birthday with a new album titled Seventy, featuring around a dozen fresh songs. Marty Duda from The 13th Floor conducted an interview where he discussed the significance of reaching this milestone age and what Paul looks forward to.
Reflecting on Age and Milestones
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… ’cause it seems to be a major thing, doesn’t it?"
Paul shared that he had never paid much attention to his age before, but noticed how others began treating him differently as he grew older. He recalled three important birthdays, particularly turning forty, which felt like a significant shift into adulthood.
Paul: "Forty felt like a big birthday. It felt like, okay, I’m an adult now."
He also associated turning forty with a sobering awareness of mortality, as some people close to him and within the music industry started passing away.
Paul: "Forty was also the first time that people I’ve grown up with or worked with or friends started dying. That does happen a bit in the music business, as quite a few of us die young."
This milestone marked a distinct change in his perspective on life and its fragility.
Author’s Summary
Paul Kelly reflects on the impact of turning seventy, recognizing how age changes personal outlook and the way others perceive him, while embracing new creative chapters.
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