Paul Kelly On Seventy: 13th Floor MusicTalk Interview
Paul Kelly, the veteran Australian singer-songwriter, marks his 70th birthday with a new album titled Seventy. The album features about a dozen fresh songs that reflect on this milestone age. Marty Duda from The 13th Floor spoke with Paul about the meaning of turning seventy and his outlook for the future.
Interview Highlights
Marty Duda: The album is Seventy, you are 70, and believe it or not, I’m 70 too. So I’m even more curious to hear your thoughts because it seems to be a significant milestone, doesn’t it?
Paul Kelly: I’ve never been one to focus on my age, but suddenly it changes how people treat you. I recall three major birthdays; forty felt like a real landmark. It was the point when I felt like an adult. Also, at 40, people I grew up with or worked alongside started passing away. That’s common in the music world—quite a few of us die young.
That time felt like a turning point, where some of us continue living and others don’t.
“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, you know, this is, I’m an adult now.”
“People I’ve grown up with or worked with started dying. That does happen quite a bit in the music business.”
About the Album
Seventy captures Paul Kelly’s reflections on age, life, and the changes that come with time through his signature songwriting.
Author’s Summary
Paul Kelly’s Seventy album thoughtfully explores the significance of reaching 70, blending personal reflection with a broader perspective on life and loss.