Simpson proves that It’s Never Too Late

Baldivis musician Terry Simpson has released his debut album, at 73 years young.

The self-confessed late bloomer said a cancer scare last year prompted him to start ticking items off his bucket list.

The album, recorded at a home studio and released a fortnight ago, is aptly titled It’s Never Too Late.

“We told the kids we’re spending their inheritance and they said, ‘go for it old man’,” Simpson said.

“I was nervous. Some nights I couldn’t sleep because I was trying to learn a new song.

“But we are thrilled with album.

“And the feedback we’ve had has been really positive.”

The release contains 20 songs and Simpson said he has plenty more up his sleeve.

“I think we will wait and see how this one goes, but if I could tick another thing off my bucket list it would be a second CD,” he said.

“I’ve got loads more songs I want to do.

“I had a kidney removed last year and it shows you don’t know what’s around the corner.

“It was a jog — it spurred me to do this.

“I would have always regretted it if I didn’t.”

Despite the late start, Simpson said he had always had a love of music.

He bought his first guitar for $35 in 1978, but sold it after just “playing around for a few years” in a band with his brother and a friend.

Raising four children with his wife, Patricia, and working two jobs meant music was put on the backburner.

“In my early 60s I decided to buy a guitar with an amp,” he said. “I went to visit a sick friend in a nursing home and I took my guitar along and gave the folks two or three songs which I’d learnt.

“Afterwards they asked me if I could come back and play for them all.

“That’s when my nursing village career began.”

Simpson continues to play regularly at nursing homes and hospitals in Rockingham and Perth, plus Sunday mornings at the Rockingham Rotary Mart.

His album is a step back in time, with covers from the ’50s and ’60s.

“I’m not a rapper,” he laughed.

“It’s Willy Nelson-type songs, early country, plus rock ‘n’ roll and songs — songs from Dean Martin and Elvis Presley.”

Simpson album is available for sale at the Rockingham Rotary Mart.