I want to take my kids to see OutKast when I’m 40. But chances are, it won’t happen. With band lifespans declining for the last decade or two, I’m left wondering: Will any of the musicians of my youth still be doing their thing when I’m older, or will they be remembered only by the few albums they put out?

Monday, lifelong fans of Kenny Rogers will take their children to see him play Christmas songs in Des Moines. The man is officially a senior citizen this year, yet he still has the drive to perform for thousands of people. Anyone capable of this deserves a great deal of respect. Unfortunately, I fear our generation won’t have the same pleasure of growing old with our idols.

Gone are the days of “career bands” — groups for whom music does not serve as a mere claim to fame or a hobby, but rather defines and propels them. Low record sales couldn’t stop them. Internal conflicts could only change them. Drug addictions could only delay them. Legends like The Who and The Beatles were ever-changing, but never more than their image and their cult followings would allow.

Some of the greatest musical icons of the last century — Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Wilson — are still playing to their frail hearts’ content, and all three of them were born at least 12 years before my parents.

Although Steven Tyler may look like something pulled from a burning wax museum, the Aerosmith frontman merits awe for his longevity.

Only two weeks ago, Jackson Browne proved to fans in Iowa that his talent hasn’t dried up over the years.

Look at the musicians our parents grew up with who still haven’t gone away. The list goes on and on.

Then look at the stars of our era. It seems only a small handful of them have shined brightly for longer than a few years. Many of the hopefuls have already died or fallen off the face of the earth. Bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden and a few others had some of the characteristics of career bands, but their fate has already come to pass. If Tupac continues releasing albums from the grave, he could make the list of dead legends who never die, right up there with The Beatles.

Dave Matthews Band, Celine Dion, Metallica and maybe a few others are the most likely candidates, already having held the reigns of fame through many albums and earning devoted followings that reach outside North America. Madonna still relates well enough with Generations X and Y to pull off hit singles and remain a diva. But will any of these names be on tour when our hairs are gray and we’re longing to relive our golden age?

Record companies have the greatest influence in who goes and who stays these days. Managers and promoters have proven to make or break artists’ images and careers. But there is no exact formula.

Take the “World’s Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band,” the Rolling Stones, for example. Their original manager, Andrew Oldham, cut the band’s big, cuddly pianist in order to sell their bad-boy persona. This strategy allowed the band to play off of The Beatles’ clean-cut look and rise to fame. This effort combined with the continued support of record companies and radio stations through good times and bad. In the end, the Stones came out on top of feuds, drug and alcohol abuse and now even old age. Their story and others show that a well-balanced diet of suffering, perseverance and the help of others are needed to make success last.

The music of today runs not on a balanced diet, but on caffeine. Artists ignite quickly and burn brightly, without enough time to kindle or for the fuel to last. Producers churn out label laboratory stars every day that last about as long as their accompanying coke highs.

Magnitude takes time to build. I’m not so sure Generation ADD has the patience to go the distance with any of the would-be legends who have the talent and drive to make a musical career. Your phone call to the TRL request line might rocket your favorite band into the top ten for the day, but it won’t guarantee the band to ever be more than a spark.