I think it has to do with how much a singer pushes it (and the smoking can't help, either). James Taylor sounds exactly the same now as he did in 1971, but he has such a laid back delivery; hard to hurt the vocal chords there. Mick Jagger sounds exactly the same as any period in his career, which isn't saying much. John Hiatt really used to tear it up, great growl!!! But he's lost a step and (I think) had to have vocal chord surgery in the late 90's. Gord really used to put some serious balls behind his vocals way back and I think it can't help but catch up with a person. Personally, I really don't care; I love his songwriting and his music catalog speaks for itself... But then there's an anomaly like Paddy Reilly (Irish music legend, member of The Dubliners). I saw him last summer, just him and a guitar and a microphone. This guy has always put serious bombastic dynamics/balls behind his vocals and is now about 70 years old and still sounds like he did in the 70's...
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