I've seen The 'Oo 3 times in my life. Once in '79 when Jones first joined
with a close friend and my dad (!). Then, for the '82 "Farewell" tour (down
in the front, getting squashed the whole time). And finally for the Quad
tour a couple of years ago. The first two were great cathartic, energized,
inspiring events. However, The Quad show brought me to fucking tears in it's
majesty, power and hearing that work presented as intended. To hell with the
cynics.....THE WHO RULE!!
peace,
R. Scott
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 7:41 AM
Subject: RE: WHO LIVE
Matt Bolton wrote:
AWWW!! I saw them do Quad and as much as I might get a
ribbing for this, they were the best band I've ever seen. I'd wish I'd have
known some more of their stuff at the time though. I actually fancy going to
see them again. They haven't lost it. Even though I admit they may be
crooning of late. Zak Starkey was fantastic at the gig I went to. And
getting the chance to meet Rodge helped enormously! A very nice bloke he is.
His daughter is beautiful.
Matt.....
Being a Lancashire lad I suspect you went to see them in Manchester at the
Nynex arena.
I too saw them their in December 96.
I have to agree it was one of the best gigs I have seen also. Everything
was so clean cut and all the songs ran so smoothly between the taped
sections.
The tape sections were a big worry to Pete and the band before taking
Quadrophinia on show due to all the problems that they had experienced with
the backing tapes in the 70's when they first attempted to perform Quad in
its entirety.
Apparently from my studies the synthesiser backing tapes had a tendency to
snap during their vital backing roles.
At the time I went to see them I had just about heard the majorette of who
material and just about everything that Pete had thrown into the commercial
market.
They were my favourite band for many years and at the time that I saw them
they were at the peek in my liking and I recall my bedroom been a shrine to
the who with every available inch of wall space being covered with my vinyl
collection and pictures.
Although Kenny Jones doesn't play drums for them these days, I personally
believe that the infamous son of 'Ringo', Zak Starky does a wonderful job.
Apparently it was Keith Moon who gave young Zak his first drum kit and not
his own father Ringo.
My reading has also told me that Zak idolised Moons drumming and he has
learnt to bash away in a mimicking style of his own. Which is a very
difficult thing to do indeed.
I recall one extract from Pete stating that he could hardly believe the
likeness and he described it as uncanny.
I openly admit that The Who and Quadrophenia were one of the major avenues
that lead me into the scene we know today.
If it wasn't for my passion that lead me so deeply into the who discovering
their early days I wouldn't have the involvement and interest in the mod
scene I do today.
I also went to see Pete Townshend in October 98, although he didn't posses
the energy that is clearly present when he performs with Roger and John his
music was still outstanding.
I think that it was that set of solo gigs he did back in 98 that gave him
the opportunity to review just how much people loved and followed his music.
I also believe that it was around that time that he somehow managed to
regain the faith that he had lost in his music when Keith died.
Regaining his lost faith gave him the inspiration to complete his 'Lifehouse
Project', His second rock opera that he hoped would excel his brilliant
works with Tommy,
We know of the classics on 'Who's Next' which originally entered the world
with Lifehouse ahead of them.
Now back included with Lifehouse Pete has had to write new songs to reign
alongside them.
This resulted in Pete rejoining with Roger and John to work on new songs,
something they had not done for a very long time.
I firmly believe that this gave Pete the confirmation that there is still
something special when he plays with Roger and John, something that Roger
and John never lost faith in.
The who gigs have spawned from small charity gigs to something special, who
knows what it may lead too, a new album?
I would love to go see the who at the Shepherds Bush Empire but with tickets
being £30 pounds, finances could be getting a bit low after travel. Don't
forget we have damn Christmas presents to buy.
Sorry to bore everyone with my who trivia!
Ps. Matt, tell me more about meeting Roger, on list, off list, at BB Leeds?
Jonathan
