Raditz
Well if you don't make it in the big time, would you be content being in (a bar) band well into your 50's?

There does seem to be some correlation between age and exposure. The Flaming Lips present an interesting case though. Right now they are as big as they've ever been, and Wayne Coyne is 45 years old.

I don't really think you can count the Flaming Lips they've been getting mainstream exposure in one form or another since the early 90s.

I think someone like Seasick Steve would be a much better example.

novelty act, the idiot savant thing has warmed our cold british hearts.. it's like a bad movie

In response to the guy who started this thread, if you hit 30 (and look any older than early-mid 20's) and still haven't 'made it', i wouldn't get your hopes up. If you were to get signed by a major tomorrow and they touted you as 'the next whoever' and you sold tickets, and managed to do so consistently over a few years, you could conceivably maintain a career out of it a la Flaming Lips.
So the only way to get around the ageism in pop/rock music (with the odd exception) is to already be well established and have a loyal fanbase. Unless you're seasick f*cking steve.

And i can't think of any examples but i'm sure there are plenty of thirty-somethings doing well in less conspicuous genres like electronica (where the performance/exposure aspect is minimal)... I know there are one or two successful DJs out there who were in failed 90's indie bands. But yeah, f*cked if i can remember who they are. Appleblim is one possibly.

i think if you're good enough, age won't matter (granted, im sure the record companies wouldn't sign a heavy metal band of men in their 60s....to many potential health problems...)
but at 24, you still have plenty of time.