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This is true of most of the big bands. I'm not disrespecting them for it but they have an 'imperial phase' in which they can do no wrong which lasts 3/4 years, and then they've hit that height. That's the way it is.

In the recent South Bank Show on Billy Joel the last track they discussed was 'We Didn't Start The Fire' which was about 88 wasn't it? The Stones are entitled to merchandise the catalogue, but in terms of relevance there is a cut-off point about 25 years ago ?

Beatles didn't have time to go through that, but McCartney has pretty much proved that theory on his own. The Who are another example, in case anyone thinks it's just the Stones I'm having a go at. Let's just say it's unusual for an established act to surprise people with top-class, fresh material late in their career.

Singer-songwriters (Dylan, Young, Cohen---Diamond at the moment) seem able to buck the trend somewhat.