Heavy metal has never been just a young personโs game.
While many of the genreโs biggest stars started their careers decades ago, some of the most important names in hard rock and heavy metal are still writing, recording, performing and stepping onto stages in 2026.
Being over 70 certainly hasnโt stopped these legends from keeping the volume turned up.
From the pioneers of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Judas Priest to the veterans of Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Accept, Saxon, KISS, Twisted Sister, Y&T, Raven and beyond, these musicians continue to prove that age is no barrier to making music.
Here are the metal and hard rock legends who are ๐๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐.
๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ก๐ข๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ / ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ฐ / ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ
Ritchie Blackmore remains one of the most influential guitarists in the history of hard rock and heavy metal.
The legendary Deep Purple and Rainbow guitarist continues making music with Blackmoreโs Night, the project he formed with Candice Night. While his current music is rooted more in Renaissance and folk rock, his contribution to the development of heavy metal is enormous.
๐๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง โ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐
The legendary voice of Deep Purple, Ian Gillan remains active with the band in 2026.
From โChild in Timeโ and โHighway Starโ to โSmoke on the Water,โ Gillanโs voice helped define the sound of hard rock and heavy metal. Deep Purple continue recording and performing, with their new studio album SPLAT! released in 2026.
๐๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐
Bassist, songwriter and longtime Deep Purple member Roger Glover remains active with the band in 2026.
His bass lines and songwriting have been an essential part of Deep Purpleโs sound for more than five decades, and he continues to perform with the band around the world.
๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐
The original KISS drummer turned 80 in December 2025, but Peter Criss remains involved in music.
In December 2025, he released his self-titled solo album, Peter Criss, his first studio album in nearly two decades. He has also remained involved with appearances and KISS-related events.
๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ก๐ง๐ฌ๐จ๐ง โ ๐๐
๐๐/๐๐
AC/DCโs legendary frontman remains one of the most recognizable voices in rock.
At 78, Johnson continues performing with AC/DC, bringing his unmistakable vocals to one of the most influential bands in hard rock history.
๐๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ง๐๐ญ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ฐ / ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฉ / ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ณ๐ณ
Graham Bonnet has one of the most impressive resumes in hard rock and heavy metal, having fronted Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group and Alcatrazz.
And he isnโt slowing down. The Graham Bonnet Band performed multiple shows in 2026, continuing to bring Bonnetโs legendary voice to the stage.
๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ญ๐จ๐ง โ ๐๐
๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ๐ญ
Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton remains an important part of the bandโs legacy and continues to be involved musically.
Although he no longer tours full-time with Priest, his influence on heavy metal guitar is undeniable, helping create some of the genreโs most iconic riffs and songs.
๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ โ ๐๐
๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ
Alice Cooper continues to perform and tour at an age when most musicians have long since retired.
With a career spanning more than five decades, Cooper remains one of the most influential figures in shock rock and heavy metal history.
๐๐จ๐ง๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข โ ๐๐
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ก
Tony Iommi is quite simply one of the most important guitarists in heavy metal history.
The Black Sabbath guitarist continues to remain musically active. In 2026, Iommi is releasing his long awaited new solo album, From The Dark, marking his first solo album in 21 years. The album is scheduled for release on October 23, 2026.
๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐ โ ๐๐
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ก
Original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward remains involved with music and continues to be connected to the bandโs legacy.
As the drummer on classic albums including Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Master of Reality and Vol. 4, Wardโs contribution to heavy metal is enormous.
๐๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฉ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
Klaus Meine remains behind the microphone for Scorpions in 2026.
The singerโs distinctive voice has powered classics such as โRock You Like a Hurricane,โ โThe Zooโ and โStill Loving You,โ and Scorpions continue performing around the world.
๐๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฒ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐
Keyboard legend Don Airey remains an active member of Deep Purple in 2026.
A veteran of Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath and countless other projects, Airey continues touring with Deep Purple as the band carries its legacy into another decade.
๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ข๐๐ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐
The only constant member of Deep Purple, Ian Paice remains behind the drum kit in 2026.
His powerful playing helped establish the template for hard rock and heavy metal drumming, and he continues performing with Deep Purple.
๐๐ฎ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค๐๐ซ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฉ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
Scorpions founder and guitarist Rudolf Schenker continues performing with the band he helped form in 1965.
At 78, Schenker remains an active part of Scorpionsโ ongoing career and their place in rock history.
๐๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ โ ๐๐
๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ / ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง / ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐จ
The Red Rocker has been rocking for decades, from his days with Montrose to his hugely successful years with Van Halen and his long running solo career.
At 78, Hagar is still hitting the stage in 2026. His Best of All Worlds shows have reunited him with Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Kenny Aronoff, proving that the energy and passion are still there after more than 50 years in rock.
๐๐๐๐ณ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฅ๐๐ซ โ ๐๐
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ก
Black Sabbath bassist and legendary songwriter Geezer Butler remains involved in music.
As the bandโs principal lyricist and one of the architects of its dark, heavy sound, Butler helped lay the foundation for heavy metal itself.
๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐
Gene Simmons remains active in music with his solo projects and Gene Simmons Band.
The KISS co-founder continues performing live, bringing the Demon back to the stage and proving that retirement isnโt necessarily part of his vocabulary.
๐๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ฒ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ก / ๐๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ
While Aerosmith retired from touring, Joe Perry continues making music outside the band.
The legendary guitarist remains active with the Joe Perry Project and other musical collaborations, keeping one of rockโs most recognizable guitar styles alive.
๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐๐ค โ ๐๐
๐๐ข๐ง๐ โ๐ฌ ๐ / ๐๐๐ / ๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐๐ค ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ง
A powerhouse bassist and vocalist, dUg Pinnick has been a driving force behind Kingโs X since the bandโs formation, helping create a sound that blended hard rock, progressive metal, funk, soul and gospel.
At 76, Pinnick remains musically active through Kingโs X and his numerous side projects, continuing a career that has made him one of the most distinctive voices and bass players in heavy rock.
๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ซ๐ณ๐จ โ ๐๐
๐๐ฎ๐ข๐๐ญ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ญ / ๐๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ ๐๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐ / ๐๐ข๐จ
Bassist Rudy Sarzo has played with some of the biggest names in hard rock and metal, including Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne and Dio.
He remains a member of Quiet Riot and continues to perform and record, carrying on a career that stretches back to the golden era of heavy metal.
๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐ฑ๐จ๐ง
Saxon frontman Biff Byford remains one of the defining voices of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
Still performing with Saxon, Byford continues to deliver the bandโs classic material to audiences around the world.
๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐๐ฌ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ / ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐จ๐ง
The โVoice of Rockโ continues to make music at 75.
Hughes remains active with projects including Black Country Communion and his solo work, continuing a career that stretches from Deep Purpleโs classic era to the present.
๐๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ โ ๐๐
๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ๐ญ
The Metal God himself continues to rule the stage.
Rob Halford remains the voice of Judas Priest and continues performing with the band, delivering one of the most recognizable voices in heavy metal.
๐๐จ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ง๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ซ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ฐ / ๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ / ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐ง
Joe Lynn Turner remains active on the live circuit in 2026.
The former Rainbow and Deep Purple vocalist continues performing songs from his legendary career alongside his solo material.
๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ง๐ง โ ๐๐
๐๐๐ฑ๐จ๐ง / ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ
Original Saxon guitarist Paul Quinn stepped back from touring with Saxon, but he certainly didnโt walk away from music.
Quinn continues to work on music and perform with The Cards, keeping his guitar career moving forward.
๐.๐. ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ โ ๐๐
๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ๐ญ / ๐๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ๐ญ
K.K. Downing remains active with KKโs Priest, the band he formed after leaving Judas Priest.
The guitarist continues bringing the classic Priest sound to the stage and remains an important figure in heavy metal.
๐๐๐จ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ค๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ข๐๐๐ซ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ / ๐.๐.๐.
Udo Dirkschneider remains one of the most recognizable voices in German heavy metal.
Still active with U.D.O. and Dirkschneider, the former Accept frontman continues performing the classic songs that helped define European metal.
๐๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ โ ๐4
๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ๐ญ
Ian Hill has been the bassist of Judas Priest since the bandโs earliest days.
Still officially part of Priest in 2026, Hill remains one of the bandโs longest-serving members and has spent more than five decades helping drive one of metalโs greatest bands.
๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ก โ ๐๐
๐๐ฐ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ
Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French returned to the stage with the bandโs 2026 reunion.
Still performing alongside Eddie Ojeda, French continues to represent one of glam metalโs most influential bands.
๐๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ค๐ค๐๐ง โ ๐๐
๐๐จ๐ค๐ค๐๐ง
Dokken founder and vocalist Don Dokken remains active with the band in 2026.
His unmistakable voice and songwriting helped make Dokken one of the defining American metal and hard rock bands of the 1980s.
๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ค โ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐
Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick remains musically active, continuing to work on music and KISS-related projects.
Kulickโs years with KISS produced some of the bandโs most celebrated guitar work, and his influence remains strong among generations of fans.
๐๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐ค๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ข โ ๐๐
๐&๐
Y&T founder, guitarist and vocalist Dave Meniketti continues to lead the band he has fronted for more than five decades.
Y&T remain active on the road, with Meniketti continuing to deliver classics including โMean Streak,โ โRescue Meโ and โForever.โ
๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ก โ ๐๐
๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง / ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐จ
Diamond Dave remains one of the most iconic frontmen in hard rock history.
The legendary Van Halen vocalist returned to the stage in 2026 for a series of live performances, delivering classics including โPanama,โ โJump,โ โHot for Teacher,โ โUnchainedโ and โAinโt Talkinโ โBout Love.โ
๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐๐ซ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฑ
Canadian metal legend Brian Vollmer continues to front Helix in 2026.
From โRock Youโ to โHeavy Metal Love,โ Vollmer has spent decades flying the flag for Canadian hard rock and continues bringing Helix to audiences.
๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค๐๐ซ โ ๐๐
๐๐ ๐ / ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฉ / ๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฉ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
Michael Schenker remains one of the busiest guitar legends on this list.
Still touring with the Michael Schenker Group, the former UFO and Scorpions guitarist continues performing the riffs and solos that influenced generations of metal guitarists.
๐๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ โ ๐๐
๐๐/๐๐
AC/DCโs schoolboy-uniform-wearing guitar legend continues to rock at 71.
Angus Young remains a driving force behind AC/DC, whose music continues to fill arenas around the world.
๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ โ ๐๐
๐๐ฐ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ
Eddie โFingersโ Ojeda remains active with Twisted Sister as the band continues its 2026 reunion performances.
His signature guitar work helped define the sound of songs including โWeโre Not Gonna Take Itโ and โI Wanna Rock.โ
๐๐ญ๐๐ฏ๐ โ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌโ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ โ ๐๐
๐๐ง๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ
Canadian metal icon Steve โLipsโ Kudlow continues doing what he has always doneโplaying heavy metal.
Still active with Anvil in 2026, Lips remains one of the genreโs most passionate and recognizable ambassadors.
๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ โ ๐๐
๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ / ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐
One of heavy metalโs most distinctive voices, King Diamond continues to create music at 70.
The legendary vocalist remains active with both King Diamond and Mercyful Fate, and 2026 has seen him continue working on new music. His theatrical style, unmistakable falsetto and classic albums such as Abigail have made him one of metalโs most iconic figures.
๐๐ญ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฒ โ ๐๐
๐๐๐ญ๐ญ
Ratt vocalist Stephen Pearcy remains active as a performer, continuing to play the songs that helped make Ratt one of the biggest bands of the 1980s metal scene.
At 70, Pearcy is still bringing the Ratt catalogue to audiences.
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ โ ๐๐
๐.๐.๐.๐.
W.A.S.P. frontman Blackie Lawless remains active at 70.
In 2026, W.A.S.P. continue their live career with Lawless at the helm, celebrating the music that made the band one of the most distinctive forces in heavy metal.
๐๐ญ๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ โ ๐0
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ง
Iron Maiden founder, bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris remains incredibly active.
At 70, Harris continues performing with Iron Maiden while also working with his side project British Lion. His bass playing and songwriting have been central to Iron Maidenโs sound since the beginning.
๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ
What makes this list so remarkable isnโt simply the ages.
These musicians have collectively helped shape heavy metal, hard rock and the music that came before it. And decades after many of them first picked up their instruments, theyโre still writing songs, making records, performing live and connecting with fans.
Some are touring constantly. Others are recording, releasing new music, performing select shows or working on new projects.
But they all have something in common:
๐๐ก๐๐ฒ ๐ง๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ .
And as 2026 proves, the legends of metal arenโt just part of history.
๐๐ก๐๐ฒโ๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ญ.
