In 2007, a group of British pensioners stepped into Abbey Road Studios to record a cover of “My Generation” by The Who. They weren’t a tribute act—they were The Zimmers, a newly formed band of elderly citizens, some in their 90s, brought together by a BBC documentary.
What began as a social experiment soon became a music sensation, leading to international performances, viral fame, and a historic place in the UK music charts.
A Band Born from a Documentary
The Zimmers were created for a BBC film titled Power to the People – The Great Granny Chart Invasion, which aired in May 2007. Journalist Tim Samuels recruited elderly people from across the UK, many living in care homes or social isolation.
Their mission was to raise awareness of the conditions faced by older generations. As part of the project, the group recorded a rock anthem, filmed by Geoff Wonfor, and produced by Mike Hedges. The performance of “My Generation” was staged in Studio 2 at Abbey Road, famously used by The Beatles.
Breaking Records with Rock Anthems
Their debut single reached No. 26 in the UK Singles Chart. At the time, the group held the record for the oldest band by average age to achieve a Top 40 hit. Buster Martin, the group’s oldest member, claimed to be born in 1906, though some records suggested 1913.
Other members included Alf Carretta and John Langridge. In 2008, they released an album titled Lust for Life, featuring covers of songs by The Beatles, Eric Clapton, and Frank Sinatra.
Touring the World in Their 80s
Following their chart success, The Zimmers toured both the UK and internationally. In 2010, they performed in Los Angeles before a crowd of 3,500 and were featured in a South Korean documentary to inspire elderly viewers to stay active.
Their message reached wide audiences, and they became a rare example of a musical act drawing attention to the lives of older people through mainstream performance.
Britain’s Got Talent and Viral Fame
On 7 April 2012, 15 Zimmers members aged 66 to 88 auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent, opening with “What the World Needs Now” before launching into a lively version of the Beastie Boys’ “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)”.
Their performance drew enthusiastic approval from all four judges. In the semi-finals, they performed LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It.” Though they did not advance to the final round, their appearance gained viral attention. In 2023, The Rolling Stones overtook The Zimmers for the oldest average age of a UK Top 40 band, but The Zimmers’ unique debut remains a verifiable feat in music history.
