“Over 60s are the happiest and should get their kicks for as long as possible” – Brian Reade

Brian Reade believes his generation is the most spongy, having enjoyed international travel, free college education and cheap mortgages – and retirees should follow Mick Jagger’s lead and keep rocking

I hope you enjoy this brief ray of sunshine because the days get shorter after Tuesday.

Much like time slips by as things start to get fun and before you know it you are on the slippery slope to the winter of your life.

I’m not saying this to depress you. Far from it. As I head toward official retirement status, I don’t feel like one at all.

I take pills for one expense or another and have too many fags during the day, but I feel closer to being measured for my school uniform than my coffin.

When I was a kid, the over-60s seemed like ancient relics, aged before their time by wars, depression, and outhouses. Many who are in their 60s today look like people back then who were in their 40s.

Take Jean Alexander, who was 38 when she came to Coronation Street in 1964 as gossiping old chick Hilda Ogden; and Sally Dynevor, who now plays “tasty mommy” Sally Metcalfe and will be 60 on her next birthday.

I have long believed that my generation of Baby Boomers is the best. We have never fought the wars our parents fought or have to face the kind of debt our children will have.

We were the first generation to be sexually liberated, enjoy regular foreign travel, free college education, and cheap mortgages.

And I’m starting to think that the majority of the over-60s who depend on a state pension for more than just living are at their best age ever.

I was left out by someone who works in healthcare because in last week’s German column he highlighted a study showing that those over 60 who drink at least four days a week are fitter and happier than teetotalers.

According to the health department, urging oldies to take this as permission to drink most nights because it would lead some to an early grave was wrong. I disagreed. Then asked, “Well, what if it is”? Is it best to sit around grumpily waiting to kick the bucket, or kick as long as your body will allow?

Last week I saw the Rolling Stones with a 78-year-old Mick Jagger walking the stage like Usain Bolt (although he was wearing a kid’s leather coat that looked like it had been stolen from a market stall). They were backed by Echo & the Bunnymen, with 63-year-old Ian McCulloch’s vocals sounding as cool as ever.

The following night I saw 67-year-old Elvis Costello and on Monday I watch The Eagles with two 74-year-old legends, Don Henley and Joe Walsh. Next week, an 80-year-old Paul McCartney makes headlines in Glastonbury.

All these concerts are sold out and thousands of my mid-60s are spending the night like teenagers. At The Killers concert in Manchester this week, 67-year-old Doug James tried his hand at crowd surfing for the first time and stopped performing when he fell and injured his head.

When singer Brandon Flowers asked Doug what he was doing, he replied, “I’m enjoying myself.” Good man.

A psychology expert advocates that everyone undergoing end-of-life treatment should be given magic mushrooms to relieve their depression. What a fabulous idea.

Not behaving your age before literally making your way to the grave is surely the best way to spend your final years.