Heavy metal has never been just a young person’s game.
While many of the genre’s 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 hasn’t 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 𝟕𝟎 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞.
𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 — 𝟖𝟏
𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞 / 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 / 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
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 Blackmore’s 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.
𝐈𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧 — 𝟖𝟏
𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞
The legendary voice of Deep Purple, Ian Gillan remains active with the band in 2026.
From “Child in Time” and “Highway Star” to “Smoke on the Water,” Gillan’s 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.
𝐑𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 — 𝟖𝟎
𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞
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 Purple’s sound for more than five decades, and he continues to perform with the band around the world.
𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬 — 𝟖𝟎
𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐒
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.
𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 — 𝟕𝟖
𝐀𝐂/𝐃𝐂
AC/DC’s 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.
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐭 — 𝟕𝟖
𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 / 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 / 𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐳
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 isn’t slowing down. The Graham Bonnet Band performed multiple shows in 2026, continuing to bring Bonnet’s legendary voice to the stage.
𝐆𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐧 — 𝟕𝟖
𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭
Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton remains an important part of the band’s 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 genre’s most iconic riffs and songs.
𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫 — 𝟕𝟖
𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫
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.
𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐈𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢 — 𝟕𝟖
𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡
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.
𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐝 — 𝟕𝟖
𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡
Original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward remains involved with music and continues to be connected to the band’s legacy.
As the drummer on classic albums including Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Master of Reality and Vol. 4, Ward’s contribution to heavy metal is enormous.
𝐊𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐞 — 𝟕𝟖
𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Klaus Meine remains behind the microphone for Scorpions in 2026.
The singer’s distinctive voice has powered classics such as “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” “The Zoo” and “Still Loving You,” and Scorpions continue performing around the world.
𝐃𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐲 — 𝟕𝟖
𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞
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.
𝐈𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐜𝐞 — 𝟕𝟖
𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞
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.
𝐑𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 — 𝟕𝟖
𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Scorpions founder and guitarist Rudolf Schenker continues performing with the band he helped form in 1965.
At 78, Schenker remains an active part of Scorpions’ ongoing career and their place in rock history.
𝐆𝐞𝐞𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐫 — 𝟕𝟕
𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡
Black Sabbath bassist and legendary songwriter Geezer Butler remains involved in music.
As the band’s principal lyricist and one of the architects of its dark, heavy sound, Butler helped lay the foundation for heavy metal itself.
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬 — 𝟕𝟕
𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐒
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 isn’t necessarily part of his vocabulary.
𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 — 𝟕𝟔
𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 / 𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭
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 rock’s most recognizable guitar styles alive.
𝐑𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐳𝐨 — 𝟕𝟓
𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐨𝐭 / 𝐎𝐳𝐳𝐲 𝐎𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞 / 𝐃𝐢𝐨
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.
𝐁𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐁𝐲𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 — 𝟕𝟓
𝐒𝐚𝐱𝐨𝐧
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 band’s classic material to audiences around the world.
𝐆𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬 — 𝟕𝟓
𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞 / 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧
The “Voice of Rock” 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 Purple’s classic era to the present.
𝐑𝐨𝐛 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 — 𝟕𝟓
𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭
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.
𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐋𝐲𝐧𝐧 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 — 𝟕𝟓
𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 / 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞 / 𝐘𝐧𝐠𝐰𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧
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.
𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐧 — 𝟕𝟒
𝐒𝐚𝐱𝐨𝐧 / 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬
Original Saxon guitarist Paul Quinn stepped back from touring with Saxon, but he certainly didn’t walk away from music.
Quinn continues to work on music and perform with The Cards, keeping his guitar career moving forward.
𝐊.𝐊. 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 — 𝟕𝟒
𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 / 𝐊𝐊’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭
K.K. Downing remains active with KK’s 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.
𝐔𝐝𝐨 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 — 𝟕𝟒
𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 / 𝐔.𝐃.𝐎.
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.
𝐈𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥 — 𝟕4
𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭
Ian Hill has been the bassist of Judas Priest since the band’s earliest days.
Still officially part of Priest in 2026, Hill remains one of the band’s longest-serving members and has spent more than five decades helping drive one of metal’s greatest bands.
𝐉𝐚𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡 — 𝟕𝟒
𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫
Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French returned to the stage with the band’s 2026 reunion.
Still performing alongside Eddie Ojeda, French continues to represent one of glam metal’s most influential bands.
𝐃𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐤𝐤𝐞𝐧 — 𝟕𝟑
𝐃𝐨𝐤𝐤𝐞𝐧
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.
𝐁𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐊𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 — 𝟕𝟐
𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐒
Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick remains musically active, continuing to work on music and KISS-related projects.
Kulick’s years with KISS produced some of the band’s most celebrated guitar work, and his influence remains strong among generations of fans.
𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢 — 𝟕𝟐
𝐘&𝐓
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 “Mean Streak,” “Rescue Me” and “Forever.”
𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐭𝐡 — 𝟕𝟏
𝐕𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧 / 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨
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 “Panama,” “Jump,” “Hot for Teacher,” “Unchained” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love.”
𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐫 — 𝟕𝟏
𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐱
Canadian metal legend Brian Vollmer continues to front Helix in 2026.
From “Rock You” to “Heavy Metal Love,” Vollmer has spent decades flying the flag for Canadian hard rock and continues bringing Helix to audiences.
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 — 𝟕𝟏
𝐔𝐅𝐎 / 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 / 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
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.
𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 — 𝟕𝟏
𝐀𝐂/𝐃𝐂
AC/DC’s 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.
𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐎𝐣𝐞𝐝𝐚 — 𝟕𝟏
𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫
Eddie “Fingers” 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 “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock.”
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 “𝐋𝐢𝐩𝐬” 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐥𝐨𝐰 — 𝟕𝟎
𝐀𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐥
Canadian metal icon Steve “Lips” Kudlow continues doing what he has always done—playing heavy metal.
Still active with Anvil in 2026, Lips remains one of the genre’s most passionate and recognizable ambassadors.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐲 — 𝟕𝟎
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐭
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.
𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 — 𝟕𝟎
𝐖.𝐀.𝐒.𝐏.
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.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬 — 𝟕0
𝐈𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧
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 Maiden’s sound since the beginning.
𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬
What makes this list so remarkable isn’t 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, they’re 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:
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠.
And as 2026 proves, the legends of metal aren’t just part of history.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭.
