Why, WHY does Pete Townsend get a Kennedy Center honor?

[Captain Hilts]

I like The Who, but, huh?

[saltpoint]

1. The sea refuses no river.

Long-time Who fan here.

[Donnachaidh]

16. err, the Who never recorded that

just FYI.... :eyes:

[saltpoint]

17. The recording I have is on Townsend's solo effort, ALL THE BEST

COWBOYS HAVE CHINESE EYES.

I hold that composition mighty, mighty high.

[Donnachaidh]

23. that wasn't his only solo effort...

and I say again -- the *WHO* did NOT record that song.

[saltpoint]

25. I'm aware of the discography. I have the solo recordings.

I have the Who recordings. I like them both.

The recording I have of "The Sea Refuses No River" is on the solo effort immediately following EMPTY GLASS called ALL THE BEST COWBOYS HAVE CHINESE EYES.

[truedelphi]

85. I like me THE EMPTY GLASS

If indeed the Who exist, and the audio recordings you and I heard are not figments of our imagination.

In our current reality - WHO knows!!

[saltpoint]

93. Hi, truedelphi. I like your Kucinich avatar and your enthusiasm for EMPTY

GLASS.

Great politics and great musical taste is an unbeatable combo, IMO.

More power to ya.

[xchrom]

2. ...

:eyes: cause they're brilliant?

[saltpoint]

3. "And if I shiver, please give me a blanket /

Keep me warm / Let me wear your coat."

[MrSlayer]

4. Doubtless due to his persistent fight against kiddie porn.

:eyes:

[DeltaLitProf]

5. I guess because . . .

. . . if you admit to looking at child porn and say you were just doing research, it's perfectly okay, as long as you're a celebrity.

[onenote]

6. and because when you're completely cleared of the charges

its nice that the artistic community understands that, even if some so-called progressives still act that an accusation is the equivalent of being guilty of something.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

10. Well, hell.

We can out-bloodthirsty the FweePeeZ any day of the week, with one outrage tied behind our back.

Nobody does judgemental, stiffnecked and anal-retentive quite as well as we do, when we have a full head of steam. Or a bright, shiny new thing.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

15. Bernie Ward said it was "research" too.

It's real easy to call it "research" when you are in showbiz. Just saying.

[Kalyke]

74. And when they take 13 computers out of your home and business

and find bupkis.

:eyes:

He reported his event to an international webhosting watchdog group THREE years before he was indicted to let them know what he'd stumbled upon. He then wrote and essay on his website about it (didn't exactly hide it, did he?).

He was scapegoated so the media would ignore the judges and police officers who were also arrested as part of that sweep.

[BuyingThyme]

7. Tommy on Broadway.

[saltpoint]

11. "I ain't seen nothin' like him / in ANY amusement hall /

That deaf, dumb, and blind kid / Sure plays a mean pin ball..."

[onenote]

8. why Elton John (2004)? Why Dolly Parton (2006)? Why Perry Como (1987)?

[Horse with no Name]

54. Elton John has raised millions and has been on the forefront for many years for AIDS research

Dolly Parton has given millions of dollars to childrens hospitals, libraries, etc. She actually is a very good Democrat and a very active philanthropist.
Maybe someone else can fill in Perry Como's contributions. I am personally not familiar with those.

[onenote]

77. fyi -- i wasn't suggesting that they weren't worthy of the honor

I was just wondering why someone would single out Townshend and Daltrey to object to their being named. They have both done enormous amount of charitable work as well, I might add.

[Kalyke]

78. His charities has raised millions, too.

Double O
Double O charity was started by The Who in 1976 and has now evolved into a private dispersal
charity focused more than ever on 'survival' of drug and alcohol damage, domestic violence,
sexual abuse, music education, emergency relief for International disasters, and young people's
prison reform. It has dispersed about £4,000,000 since inception, and been indirectly responsible
for the dispersal of another similar amount through Double O Promotions, which channels a lot of
Townshend- and Who-related activity. Since 2002, all of the Who tours have been recorded, and
live CDs of every show have been sold as part of the Encore series. All the proceeds, after profit,
have gone to Double O - totaling about £1,000.000 so far.

http://www.thewho.com/index.php?module=charity&charity_item=charity_double_0

[Captain Hilts]

68. The idea was for the honors to be the US form of 'knighthood' that QEII bestows on folks.

So, I didn't understand Elton John either.

I LOVE the Who, actually.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

9. Watch the movie...

"The Kids are Alright". Just watch "Won't Get Fooled Again" at the end. That's all that's needed will need to explain to any Rock fan why he merits this award.

The most glorious moment of Rock ever captured on camera, IMHO. Pete was a beautiful. crazed. demented, shambling wreck of a human being when that was filmed(and I know how he got that way, too, that night and generally. I worked with some of The Who's crew that worked that Hammersmith Odeon show) and it shows in the movie. It also shows his true brilliance within his milieu.

Overall?...Yeah, Pete deserves all the honors he can carry and more.

[saltpoint]

37. If you don't mind my saying so, I liked your post overall but loved one

passage especially -- where you describe Townsend's instinct within the milieu of his life as a performer and composer, etc.

I think the position you had in that situation lends insight to it and it really shows in your post.

Thanks for your post.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

61. It's on YouTube.

Watch it. The phrase "The power and the glory" was made for those short moments in time that were captured on film.

[saltpoint]

66. I will try to hunt it down and clear out some time to have a look.

Thank you.

[riqster]

111. Actually, that song was filmed at Shepperton Studios IIRC

...it has been a while, I could be wrong.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

12. Well, you know he escaped that child porn rap.

It was "research" dontcha know. :eyes:

[EOTE]

80. If you had read anything about that case.

You'd know it actually WAS research. Unless you happen to have been involved and have some information that I'm not aware of. You do know that he reported to other people the very same information he was accused of having accessed? Don't you?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

13. Chuck Berry had the duckwalk, Pete had the windmill

The "Who Sell Out"-era Who...especially "I Can See For Miles"...made me want to play the guitar. It was the youth, the frustration, the aggression, the "Young Man Blues"...they were the first band to vomit in the bar and find the distance to the stage too far.

:toast:

[saltpoint]

14. Townsend's interviews with ROLLING STONE and other publications

over many years reveal an astonishingly intelligent man.

I read those interviews with great pleasure and great respect.

[ShortnFiery]

19. So that means if you're an intelligent celebrity, so what if you dream about buggering little ...

boys and/or girls - no worries ---> here's YOUR HONORS and AWARDS. :puke:

I place NO prestige on such honors ever since Mick Jagger was granted Knighthood (UK). What a model of morality Sir Jagger is for all the World to see? Those of us not in the elite (wealthy) class can be super-geniuses but relegated to homelessness and thown in the soup line. But intelligent jerks with money and celebrity get HONORED.

The WEALTHY and CONNECTED rule over the rest of us: Consider the multitudes of criminal CEOs who never spend any time in jail or What happened to Nixon ... and will happen for Bush: "when the President does it, it's ALWAYS LEGAL." :thumbsdown:

[saltpoint]

21. Hi.

Happy December.

[ShortnFiery]

24. And to you too Good Sir.

To Pete Townsend - Piss off! :rofl: ;)

[saltpoint]

36. Ya know, I re-read your post and found no connection between

any of the politicians or rock musicians you reference and the honor given to Townshend.

You seem angry at Mick Jagger in particular. I'm not sure why. I don't care. I have a lot of the Stones' recordings and happen to like them.

As others have indicated here, Townsend was found innocent of charges. I'm wondering why that doesn't mean anything to you.

[ShortnFiery]

38. I just have not ever "bought into" celebrity worship. Further, I don't trust the justice system

to be FAIR when it comes to dealing with either wealth or celebrity. I tend to default to the notion that one of their powerful friends got them off. :shrug:

[saltpoint]

39. I'm thinking that evidence is necessary to demonstrate guilt.

Would I be misled in that notion?

[ShortnFiery]

41. No, simply that I don't trust "the system" when it comes to wealth or celebrity.

SOMETHING was there ... and then it DISAPPEARED. Go figure. :silly:

We disagree. Yes, I'm jaded against wealth and celebrity.

[saltpoint]

43. Jaded isn't the word I'd choose, ShortnFiery.

I'd choose unfair.

[ShortnFiery]

47. You know, you are not related to this celebrity and this is just MY opinion?

Really, we are entitled to have an opinion and if you are not related emotionally to him, I don't GET why you express such ire.

He's a man, like you and I.

Remember OJ Simpson was found "not guilty" YET you are unwilling to CONSIDER that the evidence may have been "covered up" so Pete could remain a precious music star? Not even just a small part of you wonders if some important people may have destroyed evidence?

That's cool. Again it is just my opinion.

[saltpoint]

48. I hope you are never on a jury.

Really. You dismiss facts and go instead with your own biases and instincts for class warfare.

You don't get to hold opinions across lines of libel, which you've done in this post. The Townsend case you refrence was decided. It isn't anyone's opinion that it was decided. It was decided, period.

As to his music, whether this, that, or the next person likes it or not is a matter of taste and consumer choice.

I happen to like it. A lot.

[ShortnFiery]

49. Really, you need to relax? Neither you nor I know THE FACTS.

Only those closest to the case know THE FACTS.

I'm entitled to an opinion. You are a FAN, I understand that. However, I am entitled to an OPINION since neither of knows "the truth."

[saltpoint]

50. You have yourself a peach of an evening.

[ShortnFiery]

51. And a good evening to you kind Sir.

:hi:

[Kalyke]

79. I know the truth.

I worked with Phoenix Survivors, a group dedicated to the recovery of victims of childhood sexual abuse, to get his name cleared.

They also believed, at first, that he had done the unthinkable, but, subsequent information (provided by both me and the courts) proved otherwise and the group ended up defending him, lauding his actions to shed light on the Internet child porn.

Please, you don't know. You weren't there and you didn't work as hard as I did on this issue.

(Heck, I even have the T-Shirt, literally)

http://www.petetownshendisinnocent.com/

My name is on this list under the Special Thanks section (I know you don't know my real name, but it's there).

[onenote]

98. my name is on there too!!

Along with the names of a lot of folks I know. The joys of anonymous internet posting...we probably know people in common!!!

[fudge stripe cookays]

109. He's perfectly relaxed.

He's expressing an opinion just like you. But you can't see around your flaring nostrils of justice.

Take a fucking pill.

[Seldona]

52. Do a google search on Mick's daughters interviews.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=Mick+Jagger+sleeps+with+daughters+friends&spell=1

13,800 hits

She doesn't bring her friends to the house because they always wind up being bed by her father.

What a real swell guy.

[EOTE]

81. So Pete Townshend is guilty because Mick Jagger likes to sleep with his

daughter's friends? That makes a lot of sense to me.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

40. That poster is angry at the world ... best to skip over. n/t

[ShortnFiery]

42. Yes, you've got me figured out.

:P ;)

[SaveOurDemocracy]

44. Wasn't hard. n/t

[ShortnFiery]

46. Too funny.

;)

[Captain Hilts]

69. So, Liz can give him a knighthood. These awards started out as a US thing for US folks...

I felt the same way about Sean Connery, actually.

I LOVE the Who, by the way.

[saltpoint]

94. Hi, Mookie. So do I. The shock of being a

wet-behind-the-ears listener and then suddenly hearing several pop rock recordings from the UK...

What a delightful ambush that was.

Always knew there was a UK but had no idea anything like The Who or the Stones or "Eleanor Rigby" would ever be coming out of it, across the pond, and crash into my early ears.

Have to admit you've thrown me with the Sean Connery reference. I'll have to turn that one around in my head awhile.

Thanks.

[saltpoint]

18. "Give me a heart to hang onto /

Give me a soul that's tailored new /
Give me a heart to hang onto /

A heart to hang onto."

[ShortnFiery]

22. Give me some Kiddy Porn ...

for Pete Townsend to ... er enjoy with his honors. :P

[onenote]

27. don't let facts get in your way

The brit authorities confiscated Townshend's computers and, after a four month forensic investigation, concluded that his comoputers contained no downloaded images of child pornography.

But, hey, if you're accused, you must be guilty, right? That's what any good progressive thinks.

:sarcasm:

[ShortnFiery]

33. I'm an LIBERAL not a toned down pablum word IMO, Progressive.

I don't like Townsend, Jagger and any other music CELEBRITY who are no better than you or I, yet get showered with praise and accolades.

No, I do NOT know that Pete Townsend was NOT GUILTY because he is "a celebrity" and it's not exactly unheard of that the evidence could have been destroyed or made to disappear.

Especially these aging rockers seriously irritate me because, unlike their true glory days of the 70s, they've since totally "sold out" to profit and basque in the glow of a fawning fan base.

IMNSHO, the last good Stones work I purchased was "Exile on Main Street." Everything since is just warmed over 70s rock or pop rock trash. :(

[Enthusiast]

57. Well, I do like Townsend and Jagger

and I don't like the tone of your posts.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

62. Wow.

And they all speak so well of you. Go figger.

[Kalyke]

86. LOL!!!

That was the funniest thing I've read today. :)

:applause:

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

73. You're mental.

Chill the fuck out.

[fudge stripe cookays]

110. No, you're not.

You call yourself one, but most of the stuff you post at this site is overwrought, finger-pointing, and just plain nasty.

Liberal you are not.

[saltpoint]

30. On such nights as this one I feel especially antiquated.

I like music from other eras, including the 60s and a Chopin Nocturne or two, or three, or four, and I also subscribe to the notion that one is innocent until proven guilty, as describes Townsend's case.

I was responding to the OP's question by offering enthusiasm for the music and lyrics of a talented man.

[Donnachaidh]

20. because he keeps selling the same songs to different corporations for big bucks

And CSI has made me totally GAG every time I hear the music. I used to love that song, too.

He always said he wouldn't sell out -- yeah right Pete....

[taterguy]

63. He also said he wanted to die before he got old

How daRE he not keep that promise?

[onehandle]

26. He's a Rock God. nt

[saltpoint]

28. I think there's a lot to like about a Townsend composition, whether

it is a Who effort, a solo effort, or a collaboration effort, such as the one with Ronnie Lane.

But for me the trump card is the lyrics. Townsend gets it done on the lyrics.

[walldude]

29. People are fucking assholes I swear.

Do any of you "anti-Townsend" people even have a fucking clue as to what you are talking about?

Spend 10 fucking minutes filling your brain with facts instead of decrying the guy as a pedophile. Pete Townsend was cleared of all charges for good reason. There was no kiddie porn on his computer and an extensive check of his IP showed that he never visited any kiddie porn sites. He was writing a book about his abuse as a child and about the prevalence of child porn on the internet. He visited a site that sold access to kiddie porn sites to do research for his book. His book was crusading against child porn, but thanks to people who fly off the fucking handle the minute someone screams "kiddie porn" any legitimacy he would have had on the subject because of his own abuse was tainted by his arrest. Let me say this again so it's perfectly clear, THERE WAS NO PORN ON ANY OF HIS COMPUTERS AND NO RECORDS OF HIM VISITING ANY KIDDIE PORN SITES. What? You think the cops didn't tear the guys life apart when they suspected him? He didn't walk because he was Pete Townsend, he walked because he wasn't guilty.

There are only about a million articles about this on the internet.


Oh and to answer your question, The Who are one of the top 5 bands to ever exist. Pete Townsend invented the "Rock Opera", the Who branched out to movies, and theater. They paved roads for Rock and Roll and they deserve the award.

[TahitiNut]

32. Amen.

:thumbsup:

[ShortnFiery]

34. Oh GAWD!

One would think that you were related to this guy? You don't know anymore than the rest of us. It wouldn't be the first time that "the justice system" gave a celebrity "a walk." THINK about how many other people may "adore" his work as much as you - BUT these "friends" not "fans" have pull within the system?



Clearly we disagree.

[Enthusiast]

58. It isn't about "adore" his music.

Damn, you are sounding a bit like a stealth Republican rock hater to me.

[EOTE]

83. Someone knows a good deal more than you do.

You say that walldude doesn't know anymore than the rest of us, but it's extremely clear that he knows a hell of a lot more than you do pertaining to this issue. If you've read up even a little bit on this case, you'd know that Townshend wasn't given any slack due to his celebrity status. If he was, he wouldn't have even been charged in the first place. He was placed into a terrible situation and the justice system did it's job (ultimately anyway) and he was determined to be innocent. If you have any information to contradict the many reasons he was found innocent, I'd LOVE to see them. But until then, you're helping to make an innocent man's life more miserable and that's a sick and disgusting thing to do. I hope you're happy with yourself.

[High Plains]

88. Please get counseling for your issues.

You seem blinded by celebrity hatred, which is pretty weird.

I think most of us suspect you can get all the justice you can afford sometimes, but in this particular case there is no evidence that happened, and other posters have repeatedly pointed you to where that can be verified. Yet you go on and on.

[exboyfil]

53. The Who was my personal favorite

growing up as a kid. I regret never seeing them in concert before Keith Moon died. Quadrophenia spoke to me as a teenager in ways unlike any other music I ever listened to. I still love to crank it up, but I need to select the right time with kids in the house. I can't let them listen to some of the lyrics.

It is a shame that all rock stars seem to sell out eventually. It is there music, and they can do with it as they please, but getting a beer sponsorship after Keith Moon died from an alcohol related drug interaction and Pete's continued battle with alcohol did it for me with the Who.

Pete and Roger deciding to continue the tour after John killed himself with cocaine also did it for me.

Like many great artists probably not the best human beings. I don't see emulating the lifestyles, but the music was, and still is, magic.

I can't imagine paying $60-$100 to see them now though. Actually I can't imagine spending that kind of money to see anything.

[EOTE]

82. You rock!

I think The Who definitely deserve to be in the top 3 bands to ever exist. And Townshend's contributions to rock are innumerable. But my respect for Townshend has nothing to do why I believe he's 100% innocent (as if the massive invasion into his private life and extremely well funded trial that found him innocent wasn't enough). If anyone reads even a small amount into this matter and still believes he's guilty, they're not terribly bright. I know how false allegations of this sort can ruin a person's life and I hope that some day ignorant people like those posting on this thread realize the pain they've been helping to propagate.

[alarimer]

101. Part of the problem is that the media blew the whole thing out of proportion.

And his exoneration never made as big a splash. It never does. People remember that he was accused but not that he was cleared. I don't think I ever knew the outcome until I heard it here.

People are judgmental assholes when it comes to certain crimes though.

[saltpoint]

31. As compositions go, I think this one by Townsend is tremendous:

The Sea Refuses No River

I remember being richer than a king
The minutes of the day were golden
I recall that when the joint passed round
My body felt a little colder
But now I'm like a sewer channel - running lime and scag
Let me get at the master panel - let me at my stack

The sea refuses no river
And right now this river's banks are blown
The sea refuses no river
Whether stinking and rank
Or red from the tank
Whether pure as a spring
There's no damned thing stops the poem
The sea refuses no river
And this river is homeward flowing

I have seen a trace of strain
In other's eyes not spoken
I must admit that I enjoyed their pain
But this time it's me that's broken
I demand for you and His
This must be the time
When we decide what freedom is
Turn water into wine

For the sea refuses no river
We're polluted now but in our hearts still clean
The sea refuses no river
We tried not to age
But time had it's rage
We're washed over stones
From babes into clones of the mean
The sea won't refuse this muddy river
Nor deny the sulfurous stream

There was a fool in a dressing robe
Riding out the twilight hour
Lonely and cold in an empty home
Trying to assess his power
But now he's like a stream in flood
Swollen by the storm
He doesn't care if he sheds his blood
Let him be reborn

For the sea refuses no river
Remember that when the beggar buys a round
The sea refuses no river
And rain fills the gutters
No time for stutters
This is our chance
To sing and to dance and to clown
The sea refuses no river
And rivers were sprung to drown

The sea refuses no river
No pecking code respected for the damned
The sea refuses no river
Whether starving or ill
Or strung on some pill
Just 'cos you own the land
There's no unique hand plugs the dam
The sea refuses no river
And the river is where I am

The river is where I am.

[TexasObserver]

35. If you must know, it's because ....

HE SURE PLAYS A MEAN PIN BALL!!

[saltpoint]

45. Well, anyway, Mookie, I came into this evening a

respectful fan of Townsend and the Who and feel the same on the way out.

[hfojvt]

55. it was only when I read this post that I finally thought

isn't it "TownsHend"? Google confirms.

http://www.thewho.com/index.php?module=blog&id=pete

[saltpoint]

65. I can't spell worth a damn more than half the time.

I'll use the 'h' from this point forward. Good catch.

[saltpoint]

95. It hardly bears mention at one level but I would give quite a bit

to play guitar and write lyrics like Townshend, play bass like John, sing like Roger, and slam a set of drums like Keith Moon.

I can hum along with abiding appreciation to what they are playing but not in a thousand lifetimes could I ever play it the way they do.

IMO much is owed to talented people.

MookieWilson, turth be told, you've put up a provocative post with very high threshold interest. I say Bravo for that, and thank you.

[Captain Hilts]

72. I thought it had the 'h' also, but the news service I saw had it incorrectly, so I followed them. nt

[Horse with no Name]

56. And then there is this

(which for some odd reason--must be from my youth--I absolutely love this song)

Mama's got a squeeze box she wears on her chest
And when Daddy comes home, he never gets no rest
'Cause she's playing all night and the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box, Daddy never sleeps at night

Well, the kids don't eat and the dog can't sleep
There's no escape from the music in the whole damn street
'Cause she's playing all night and the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box, Daddy never sleeps at night

She goes in and out and in and out and in and out and in and out
She's playing all night and the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box, Daddy never sleeps at night

She goes, squeeze me, come on and squeeze me
Come on and tease me like you do
I'm so in love with you
Mama's got a squeeze box, Daddy never sleeps at night



She goes in and out and in and out and in and out and in and out
'Cause she's playing all night and the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box, Daddy never sleeps at night

[riqster]

89. Cool thing about that song

...Townshend got to play banjo on it. He started out on banjo before he switched to guitar.

[aikoaiko]

59. When I was in High School, everyone had to make a choice.

The Who kacky sack circle or the Led Zep hacky sack circle.

Even if you loved both, you still had to make the choice.

I chose The Who.

[Captain Hilts]

70. I also chose The Who. nt

[dbt]

60. Watch "The Iron Giant"

and wait for the credits.

:evilgrin:

[raccoon]

64. Please, it's TOWNSHEND, with an H. nt

[Captain Hilts]

67. That's what I thought - it was mis-spelled on the initial news release. nt

[zorahopkins]

71. He Plays A Mean Pin Ball ?

nt

[Captain Hilts]

75. He sure does. nt

[Kalyke]

76. Pssst... it's spelled Townshend...

And he and I have been pen pals since I was 14. I've been to his house and his studio, as well.

What do you guys want to know about him? I can answer it. :)

[EOTE]

84. Anything you'd like to divulge :)

I consider you to be extremely lucky to have had the good fortune to get to know one of the true greats of rock and roll. And a good person from what I've heard too.

[Kalyke]

87. He has a huge....

hand.

:)

I do know it's about time for my holiday card from him. Swoon.

P.S. He is an incredible person. I didn't write for years (work, school, life), but when I heard about the porn investigation, I immediately sprung into action and he remembered me. Little ole me. It was a busy time, but I do have PR training and was able to do a lot. Now, I get a holiday card nearly every year (didn't get one last year - he was on tour).

I also know Rabbit Bundrick, The Who's keyboardist. He and I spent one whole day emailing back and forth about stupid crap. He used to send me stuff, too. I haven't heard from him in a while, though, because his wife was very very ill and ended up dying. It's been a sad time for Rab.

[onenote]

90. rabbit has remarried

I know his new wife a bit and I'm glad he's been able to move on with his life.

[EOTE]

91. Sad to hear about Rabbit's wife.

How incredibly cool though about your written relationship with Pete Townshend. I'm guessing he was very happy to hear from you at what must have been an incredibly difficult time in his life.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

104. Rabbit's from Deer Park, Texas.

A suburb of Houston, right between Pasa-git-down-dena and La Porte. :D

[sufrommich]

92. I love the Who,always have. Quadrophenia is a

timeless masterpiece,so is The Who Sell Out and Who's Next .Townshend was one of the best composers and songwriters of his day.I'm glad he's getting the recognition.Good for him.

[bbernardini]

96. Psychoderelict, of course!

Just kidding, although I often feel like I'm the only one who loves that album (although I prefer the "music only" version).

[spanone]

97. because he's a major entertainer like many of the others honored?

[Tutonic]

99. Hey I thought that he was forced to cop a plea regarding that child

pornography on his home computer. What? Jeffrey Dahmer is still not available? hehhe.

[saltpoint]

100. I was in Cincinnati the night that some people were trampled at The Who

concert.

I was not at the concert, only in the city.

I heard the news on WCPO tv at 11:00 p.m. The late Al Schottelkotte, then WCPO's news anchor, made reference to a Who song in describing the unhappy news of the young people's deaths. I believe it was Schottelkotte. I'm not positive. It's been a long time.

(Paraphrased) "Tonight at the Who concert, the kids were NOT alright."

I thought it was a cheap shot.

The station got quite a few complaints over that comment, mine among them.

The Who played Buffalo the next night, dedicating the performance to the young lives lost in Cincinnati.

[JeffR]

102. I saw them 3 days later at the Silverdome in Pontiac

I had 3rd row seats in the second deck with a great view down to the stage. When the house lights came up during the "Listening to You" segment from Tommy and I could see most of the 80,000+ plus with their arms upraised, I think I briefly understood (through a Colt 45 malt liquor & pot-induced haze) Townshend's ambivalence about rock music.

[saltpoint]

103. JeffR, hello, welcome back, and what a post.

Yes. Townshend does flash his ambivalence about his own milieu, even as he's mastered it.

Did you see Peter Shaffer's play EQUUS? Townshend reminds me a bit of Dr. Dysart in that play.

I'm looking at what you just wrote and wish you would consider a novel or a screenplay. Then tell us when it is scheduled to be published. Then come visit us in line to get our copy.

[JeffR]

105. Thanks, OC. Dr. Dysart is a very good lens to view Townshend through.

As is Dr. Frankenstein. Back in the day when I owned a bookstore, we used to stock New Musical Express (for a very small but fanatical clientele). There was a great feature based on a conversation between Townshend and Paul Weller of the Jam (who, at the time, were racking up Beatlesque chart numbers in the UK). The title of the feature nicked Townshend himself: The Punk Meets the Godfather. Weller having become a gray eminence himself now, I'd love to hear his thoughts on that article.

I'm eternally grateful that none of the bands I was in ever attained fame and fortune. A few bucks, free beer and the occasional Sister of Mercy at a gig was more than reward enough.

[saltpoint]

106. When you reference "Sisters of Mercy," you mean the Leonard

Cohen song, yes? Or am I flat wrong about this? Cohen may mean more than one thing when he sings about them, so I may be on the thinnest of ice here.

If it is that Cohen song, it is a glorious song. A deep favorite of mine.

I would have wished you success in those bands, but my very best guess is you were a success a long time before you ever joined any band.

[JeffR]

107. A veritable legend in my own mind, alas...!

and yes, the Cohen song, which ran through my mind many nights back then, and still does since I was fortunate that the ultimate Sister of Mercy decided she wanted me for a mate.

McCabe and Mrs. Miller is still one of my favorite movies, simply for using that song. Its other great rewards were icing on the cake.:)

[saltpoint]

108. What a beautiful compliment about that "ultimate Sister of Mercy."

"I hope you run into them, you, who have traveled so long..."