Paul Kelly On Seventy: 13th Floor MusicTalk Interview
Paul Kelly turns seventy, and his new album shares that milestone. The veteran Australian singer-songwriter marks his 70th year with around a dozen new songs. Marty Duda from The 13th Floor spoke to Paul about the meaning of reaching this age and what he anticipates for the future.
Interview Highlights
Marty: The album is called Seventy, you are 70, and believe it or not, I’m 70 too. I’m very curious about your thoughts on this milestone since it seems significant.
Paul Kelly: I never really paid much attention to my age before, but suddenly it changes how people treat you. I recall three major birthdays clearly. Turning 40 felt like a real milestone—like becoming an adult. It was also around 40 when people I was close to—whether friends, colleagues, or people I'd grown up with—started passing away. That’s not unusual in the music industry; quite a few of us die young.
“I mean, I’ve never been one to pay attention to how old I am, but suddenly it’s the way people treat you. Forty felt like a big birthday—it felt like, okay, I’m an adult now. And 40 was also the first time people I’d grown up with, or friends, started dying.”
Paul sees 40 as a turning point where he became aware that some people continue on while others pass away.
Reflecting on Age and Life
- Paul Kelly celebrates 70 years with a new album.
- He notes how perceptions and treatment of him have changed with age.
- Turning 40 was a meaningful aging milestone, marking adulthood and loss.
Paul’s reflections reveal how aging in the music world carries both creative milestones and poignant losses.