“If it’s too loud, you’re too old” (music adage)

“If it’s too loud, you’re too old” is a rock music saying that has been put on gift items such as T-shirts and bumper stickers. A record ad from February 1978 stated, “Ted Nugent live is not for the weak-hearted. Warning—if it’s too loud, you’re too old.” However, Nugent later admitted that he suffered from hearing loss.
 
     
Wikipedia: Ted Nugent
Theodore Anthony “Ted” Nugent ( /tɛd ˈnuːdʒɨnt/; born December 13, 1948) is an American guitarist, musician, singer, author, and activist. From Detroit, Michigan, he gained fame as the lead guitarist of The Amboy Dukes before embarking on a solo career. He is noted for his conservative political views and his defense of hunting and gun ownership rights.
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Hearing loss
Nugent also suffers from hearing loss. A November 2005 Rolling Stone article noted Nugent, among others, has publicly acknowledged hearing problems. “The ear’s not too good, especially with background noise”, he said in a 2007 interview. “[But] that’s a small price to pay. Believe me the journey was worth it.”
 
16 February 1978, Mobile (AL) Register, pg. 3B, col. 3 ad:
The ultimate live rock album from the ultimate live performer. Ted Nugent live is not for the weak-hearted. Warning—if it’s too loud, you’re too old.
 
23 February 1983, Oregonian (Portland, OR), “Kiss me again, you loud cools!” by Jane Scott, pg. 10E, col. 1:
“If it’s too loud, you’re too…old!” screamed guitarist Paul Stanley with the black star painted over his left eye at the Kiss show last night at the Coliseum.
 
25 August 1985, Oregonian, “Camp lets stricken children learn to care” by Jim Dickey (Knight-Ridder News Service), pg. A17, col. 1:
His T-shirt proclaimed, “If it’s too loud, you’re too old.”
   
14 June 1986, Los Angeles (CA) Times, Metro, pg. 2:
“If the Rock Music Is Too Loud, You’re Too Old”
 
New York (NY) Times
This Is Heavy: If ‘the Dead’ Is the 60’s, Can the 60’s Be Dead?
By SARAH LYALL
Published: September 24, 1988
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Many of the crowd seemed to be from the ‘‘if it’s too loud, you’re too old’’ school of music.
 
Google Books
Yours and Mine
By Debbie Macomber
New York, NY: Harlequin Books
1989
Pg. 54:
Kristen and Nicole looked from one parent to the other then shouted together, “If it’s too loud, you’re too old!”
 
15 July 1989, Palm Beach (FL) Post, “Rockin’ on Deaf Ears” by Peter Smith, pg. 1D:
“If it’s too loud, you’re too old!” rock guitarist Ted Nugent used to bellow at his audiences.
 
Today, however, as some rockers start moving into their late 40s after 15 to 20 years of high-volume touring and recording, even some of the most vehement power-chorders have discovered the necessity of turning it down.
 
OCLC WorldCat record
Adolescents and their music : if it’s too loud, you’re too old
Author: Jonathon S Epstein
Publisher: New York : Garland Pub., 1994.
Series: New directions in sociology, v. 1.; Garland reference library of social science, v. 804. 
Edition/Format:  Book : English
 
Wikiquote: Airheads
Airheads is a 1994 American comedy film written by Rich Wilkes and directed by Michael Lehmann. It stars Brendan Fraser, Adam Sandler and Steve Buscemi as a group of loser musicians called The Lone Rangers who take a radio station hostage, just so that their song would get played on the radio.
 
Quotes
Milo: You’re going to scream “Rock and Roll”? You’re going to go to jail for that?
Ian: There’s a saying Milo: If it’s too loud, you’re too old.
     
Baltimore (MD) Sun
Here’s to a more civilized brand of equestrian enjoyment
April 09, 2012|BY JIM KENNEDY
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At the risk of falling on the “too loud” side of the Ozzy Osbourne rule, “If it’s too loud, you’re too old,” I’ll postulate that it’s a real shame equine enthusiasts haven’t yet been able to strike more of a balance in mixing a few social drinks with some polite wagering on favorite horses, jockeys, trainers or farms (or even just favorite colors of silks).