Musician/Group with the best longevity...

What musician or musical group has stayed relevant that longest? Or put out good music the longest? My first thought was Bruce Springsteen, but I quickly came to my senses. For me his best album still is Born to Run and it has been downhill since. Your choice is allowed to have a slow period in the middle--Mr. Dylan? I am talking about at least a 30 year run of music. So that leaves out a lot of bands/artists.

Ticket prices or concert attendance is irrelevant to the discussion. People paying big bucks to see the Rolling Stones means nothing except people have no clue who to see in concert. If I wanted to see oldies played over and over again I can go to the local bar or Holiday Inn and see a cover band. I want new fresh music that is as vibrant today as the old stuff was. We have a certain breed of people with cash to burn and no idea how to spend it. So they chase the cachet of old names and drive up the ticket prices. They also ruin other sectors of the market—namely collectibles. CCGs, Sports cards, Comic books, etc have be inundated by these people which is driving up the prices and causing companies to flood the market with inferior products to meet the demand. There are dozens and dozens of worthy musical acts to see that are unable to get the necessary exposure because radio stations and venues still think concert goers only want to see the old names.

So who is my choice? I vote for Richard Thompson. I have been listening to his latest cd Sweet Warrior again in the car. It is another outstanding effort by a great musician. I also have been listening to a mix cd my better half put together of his music. The man had it then and still has it now. See some musicians are able to put our great music over a long career. So who do you vote for?