I was in contact with a few other musicians, about my age, who... like me... were ready to 'move on'. They all played in their own bands. And like my band they also had a song list they had been playing since the Civil War.
Another thing we had in common was that none of us were genre-centric.... we love all genres. So we talked, occasionally, about forming our own group.
We wanted to break genre limitations... do songs from the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's.. and current. Also... we didn't care all that much about gigs... just getting together in a garage would have been fine. BUT...
One guy got very ill, (still battling for his life), another moved back east... I'm still in contact with 2 of them but at our age it's just hard to make that commitment... to say "Ok, lets just do it".
As for just playing... well, I'll never quit playing. I love playing for people, gigs, but in all honesty at this stage of my life just setting up in my home and playing to the songs I WANT to play I probably enjoy more. Long ago I quit, (not entirely but for the most part), playing the 'bar' gigs... I hate them. My band uses another drummer for those gigs. He's not very good, to say it mildly, but for a drunk bar crowd it doesn't matter.
One thing I have never done but is definitely on my bucket list... is to put together everything I own and play... what I mean is, I have 3 drum kits.. Tama's, Pearls, and my new electronics. Plus... LOTS of percussion equipment... wood blocks, my cajon, congas, bongos, wind chimes, the list is long... I think it would be a kick in the ass to put them all together and create a kit like those mammoth setups you see on Youtube... Neil Peart, Thomas Lang, Carter Beauford.... then proceed to drive my family bat @#$# crazy.