104-Year-Old Conductor Nears World Record in Perth

Every Monday evening in Perth, a 104-year-old musician picks up his baton and brings a swing band to life with the same passion he's carried for nearly a century.

George Franklin started playing the cornet at age seven. That was in 1929, and he hasn't stopped making music since.

He joined the City of Perth Band in 1934 and became their conductor in 1974. After leading the brass band for decades, he now conducts the swing band every single week.

"When it's grooving it can send shivers up and down your spine, it's exciting," Franklin said. "We've had music all our lives and we enjoy it."

Between his early years with the cornet and his current conducting role, Franklin served in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War Two. After the war, he played in a military band until retirement, then returned to the City of Perth Band where he remains their longest serving member.

On August 27, 2026, Franklin will officially become the Guinness World Record holder for oldest band conductor. He'll surpass American musician Frank Edmond, who held the title until his death in January 2023 at 104 years and 168 days.

Franklin himself remains charmingly skeptical about the achievement. "How would you know it's a world record?" he jokes. "Maybe someone hasn't owned up to their age."

Sunny's Take

What makes this story special isn't just the numbers, though 97 years of music-making is remarkable. It's watching someone who genuinely loves what they do, so much that age becomes irrelevant.

His daughter Gail marvels that he still writes music. Long-time friend and band member Don Steel calls him "amazing" and "a pleasure to play under."

Franklin credits music itself for his longevity, and there might be something to that. Research shows that making music keeps the brain active, builds community, and gives people purpose well into their later years.

But for Franklin, it's simpler than science. Music makes him feel alive, and that feeling has carried him through a century of life, a world war, and countless Monday evening rehearsals.

The world record will be nice, but Franklin will likely be too busy preparing next week's setlist to dwell on it.