While I agree with both RJ and Curby with regard to GH, I don't know that all the artists who've done the long road and made it to the top would have the same "it's all about me" attitude....compare GH on stage to artists like Eric Clapton or David Gilmour, for example. Their on stage persona is completely relaxed, very appreciative of their bandmates, and thoroughly professional in all aspects...very much like Joe himself.
While I certainly wouldn't rule out a good frontman closer to Joe's age, I wouldn't necessarily paint all the "veterans" with the same brush either.
Curby, your comment about "rather hear a cat scratching a chalkboard" had me laughing quite a bit...I very much share your opinion, and it brought back memories of when John Lennon released his Double Fantasy album. I gave it one listen through, then synced up two cassette decks, and created my own "Single Fantasy" tape, using only the songs with John's vocals.
My favorites (for that very reason) from the first two BCC releases have been the songs penned and sung by Joe, with "Song Of Yesterday" being the absolute standout of the set.
RJ, I also very much agree with your comments about Joe's career and its upward path....my wife and I were late to discover Joe (courtesy of a PBS broadcast of the RAH performance), but I've said right from the start that this young man is the one...it's to Joe that the torch will be passed from the masters we've all admired for so very long, and Joe will then be "the one" that our kids will look to, much as we looked to Clapton, to Page....the list goes on, please add your own idols as appropriate.
We've only had to opportunity to see Joe once (so far), this past May in Providence...I had the extreme good fortune to have had my application for a photo pass accepted, and got to stand right at the stage for the first three songs. Joe was no more than four feet away from me during that time, and concentrating on the mechanics of operating my camera was one of the most difficult things I've ever done. You get mesmerized watching the extraordinary skill and passion he puts into every song!
My impression was that Joe and his band put the same energy into that performance at Providence as they did for the premiere shows, such as the Beacon shows....not just top shelf musicianship, but consummate professionals in all aspects!