Apparently people freaked out because U2 get massages before each show, that must mean their frail old bodies can’t handle it.
My Dad is 61. I would classify his healthy as “average”. He’s a farmer like me, and I’d say he probably works his body harder than any member of U2, except Larry. He doesn’t require daily massages or physical therapy. Unless something bad happens, I see no reason why my Dad won’t be doing the same thing in 10 years that he is now. Turning 60 does not suddenly make you this frail old man with nothing left to offer. I see no reason why they wouldn’t tour into their mid 60’s or so. They may need to adopt a schedule more like the Stones do, but that’s ok.
it's really common for musicians to need physio, due to repetitive strain, especially if they haven't had correct training from a young age re. position etc.
a good physio can change everything... my kids are both musicians, drummer and bassist, in their 20s, juggling studies and gigging, both do various metal sub-genres which are very physically intensive and taxing, even on young healthy bodies! my drummer son started to get early signs of wrist tension about 18 months ago (despite being classically/conservatoire trained from a young age), and i found him a physio who specialises in working with musicians (thru sheer luck, via a sports physio practice who gave me his phone number) and he has been AMAZING - my son had to take his snare and drum stool and sticks etc to his clinic for his first appointment so the physio could get an idea of his position, and then for the next appointment actually went to his studio to see him drum on his full size kit - the guy was incredible! and just made a few minor but fundamental tweaks to his position, and it literally freed him up and has enabled him to drum even faster but more effortlessly - something to do with using his core more, and taking pressure off the arms... whatever, it has been a game-changer for my son, and i'm immensely relieved he has had such valuable input early on...
my bassist daughter (a metal bassist, but also a jazz bassist, so really intense technique) also has trouble now and again, and saw the same physio, who sorted her position, but she wasn't quite right, and he felt the tension was coming from her jaw (clenching), and running down to shoulder then arm so said she should see a jaw specialist - so i found her a specialist jaw physio/osteopath - he looked at her face, said "hmmm looks ok, open your mouth - oh merde!" and turns out her jaw was slightly misaligned and causing problems lower down... he did a great job fixing her with physio too... the jaw specialist physio also treats a band mate of theirs who is a singer in a hardcore punk band so does sort of "screaming/growling" thing, and he helps her a lot!! physio is fantastic for sorting out problems when they arise, and recorrecting things... it's normal for musicians to look after their bodies in the same way athletes do, due to the repetitive strain on joints and muscles due to hours and hours of practising... their physio said it's actually worse for musicians than athletes, as athletes train hard for competitions/matches then can take some down time to recover, whereas musicians have to practice constantly to maintain their performance and getting down time is difficult, as it's a nightmare to catch up... with music if you don't use it you lose it, and fast
also guitars and basses are actually really heavy, to play and carry around for long periods... my daughter has the Fender aerodyne which is gorgeous and much lighter compared to other Fender basses which she finds reaally heavy... she also has a couple of Ibanez basses too, one 5 string, which are nice and light too... but the Fender aerodyne is her fave though, better quality overall, lovely and light and just stunning to look at too haha, so even the weight of the instrument takes its toll
