Anvil’s 70-year-old frontman Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow has made it abundantly clear that retirement is not in his vocabulary. In a candid discussion, Kudlow explained his philosophy on stepping away from music. He stated that there is simply no such thing as retirement for a true musician.
“Oh, there is no retirement. Death. It’s about not getting up tomorrow morning. That’s what it’s about. That’s when it ends. But what I’m saying is it’s not 30 years from now,” Kudlow said passionately. “It’s gonna be within the next 10 years, more than likely. More than likely. Once you’re 80, there’s really not much time left. If you don’t live to a hundred — not very many people do, man. Not very many people live to 80 either.”
The Anvil frontman reflected on mortality and the importance of cherishing every moment. “We all have an expiry date. That’s it. There’s no way out, man. There’s only one way out. That’s it. You’re going out in a box… Every minute counts. That’s the way to look at it. So that’s why you don’t quit. And you don’t retire. What am I retiring from? You retire from things you hate. Then you don’t have to do it anymore.”
Kudlow’s perspective on continuing to perform until the very end is rooted in his deep love for music. “But you don’t retire from music. You love it. You do it until you can’t… And it’s not just me. You go see all the other bands, because we just lost [former Manowar guitarist] Ross The Boss. Like, f*ck — he was a year older than me. That’s what I’m saying. Go see the bands before there is no band. And some guys lose it even before, so that they can’t go out and play. I think that’s real hell. That’s real hell, man.”
Kudlow’s unwavering commitment to his craft reflects a broader philosophy shared by many veteran musicians in the heavy metal community. Rather than viewing retirement as a goal, he sees it as a surrender to inactivity. This is something unthinkable for someone whose entire identity is intertwined with music.
Anvil is the iconic Canadian heavy metal band from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 1978, according to Stirling Festival Theatre. The band consists of Steve “Lips” Kudlow on vocals and guitar, alongside drummer Robb Reiner and bassist Chris Robertson. Over nearly five decades, Anvil has maintained its presence in the metal community. The band continues to tour and record despite the challenges that come with longevity in the music industry.
Anvil’s influence extends far beyond their own catalog. Major thrash metal bands including Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, and Metallica have been influenced by the group, as noted by Stirling Festival Theatre. This legacy underscores why Kudlow remains so committed to performing. His work has shaped the very foundation of modern heavy metal, and he continues to be a vital part of the genre’s ongoing evolution.
