News

Pete Townshend – On Roger Daltrey and Teen Cancer America

 

From Pete Townshend’s Tour Diary

14th November, 2012

 

TEEN CANCER AMERICA

 

Wow! Roger did such a powerful and passionate presentation yesterday at the National Press Club Luncheon in Washington, DC that it brought tears to my eyes. Much of what he said was as new to me as it was to the audience. For me, Teenage Cancer has always been about raising money through shows and personal donations to buy and run head and body scanners. The emphasis has now shifted.

 

Two young people I met within minutes of arriving at the event were Sarah Sterner TCA’s first ‘ambassador’, and Hunter Brooks, who is keen to sign up. They both confirmed what Roger was saying. They both had brain tumours, and were brilliantly treated medically speaking and are both on the way to the healthy future. But they each had stories to tell about being treated in paediatric wards (with young children) and how different it could have been had they known each other. Sarah’s funniest story was the fact that one day – for live music – a clown came into the ward and played a ukelele. (That was Eddie Vedder in disguise we think!)

 

What is clear is that dedicated wards for teenagers from 14 through to 24 or thereabouts should be made available wherever possible. We can’t preach to the USA about its cancer successes. Their statistics are significantly better than ours in the UK. But we now do better caring for our teenagers, and that was Roger’s message last night.

 

His plea is that the music industry in the USA swings behind this work, doing what we started for Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK with the concerts at the Royal Albert Hall ten years ago. My first donation to Teenage Cancer Trust was in 1996 when Broadway Tommy opened in London to fairly dismissive reviews (read about it in my book, available in all good bookshops, on eBay, Amazon, skips, dumpsters and trashcans all over the world.) Since then Roger has driven the concert series, and raised awareness and money at the same time. He deserves his gong for all this – he is tireless and convincing. I’m glad to be by his side on this.

 

For those of you coming to the shows, we are in the groove now. Thanks for your support, and I hope you enjoy Roger’s Quadrophenia spectacle. I’m enjoying standing in front of it wondering what the fuck is going on behind me.

 

Pete Townshend – November 14th 2012

for www.thewho.com

 

 

https://www.thewho.com/story/roger-daltrey-and-pete-townshend-raise-awareness-for-who-cares/

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/UCL

 

 

33 thoughts on “Pete Townshend – On Roger Daltrey and Teen Cancer America”

  1. matt boyson says:

    Hay guys just wanted to say its an awsome thing you guys are doing keep up the good work.

  2. Richard Cree says:

    Thank you Roger and Pete for your Love, Your love will always Rein over me…Richard Cree.

  3. Tom says:

    Pete the concert last week in Greenville, SC had me in tears. The band was great! I felt like a kid again.

  4. steve t says:

    Just wonderful

  5. mike barsby says:

    Lets hope the music industry around the world gets behind this fab charity! Enjoying your book pete-not an easy read but an honest one. Mike b.

  6. Cathy says:

    You guys were here in Pittsburgh on the 11th of this month. I am disabled and on a fixed income so concerts….even a band I ADORE such as the WHO was out of reach for me. Still,I understand you rocked the Consol Center and that made me proud.

    The work you are doing for the teens is commendable. Teen cancer is something we are more comfortable hiding under a rock;certainly nothing to talk about, unless of course, it affects you. Thankfully, it does not. Great job guys! I have been such a fan of the band since Tommy. I had the great fortune to see you perform live once and that is something I won’t ever forget.

    So looking forward to reading your book Pete. I am going to look but I don’t think I will find any in trashcans!

    Rock on….
    Love you

  7. Brian Frost says:

    Noble work by caring people such as yourselves deserve our admiration. Kudos to you and Roger for caring for your fellow man!

  8. boston lou says:

    see you in Boston on Friday Pete

    Maybe a little Blue Red and Grey?

    Thanks!

  9. Reuben Haller says:

    Dear Pete,
    I’ll tell you what the fuck is going on behind you—a spectacular show that compliments the music, celebrates The Who, and in that powerful video, starkly paints a picture of conflict over the last 60 years. Now you know.(I saw you in Atlanta.) You guys sounded beyond great. Thanks. And what can i say about Roger–there are not enough letters in the alphabet!
    And–that ukelele playing clown was likely a Big Apple Circus Clown Care performer–(as I have been for 12 years in Atlanta pediatric hospitals). We do hundreds of thousands of bedside visits a year in about 9 cities here in the U.S. It is amazing, blessed work–We work as clown doctors, diffusing anxiety and fear for hospitalized kids. We parody doctors: I am known as Dr. DooHickey and I carry a mandolin on rounds. —and i promise- if you reply to me–that I will learn a Who song to play in the hospital. Perhaps Blue Red and Grey? Check out The Big Apple Circus–its a 35 year old touring circus out of N.Y. And look at its Clown Care program. Amazing work–I get to be sublimely stupid and rock out on mandolin every day…How good is that?
    Sincerely,
    Reuben Haller
    Who fan since 1967

  10. Steve Davies says:

    Dear Pete:

    Just posted on Simon’s website but wanted to tell you personally how much my girlfriend and I (and, I think, everyone else at Verizon Center) enjoyed the show last night. You guys are the gold standard for rock ‘n’ roll performance. Can’t tell you how many times your music has lifted me up (and kept me awake on long drives!).

    Good luck with the rest of the tour and the cancer awareness campaign.

    Sincerely,

    Steve Davies

  11. Wil says:

    I’m certainly proud to be a WHO fan and I think that it is must be very rewarding for both Roger and Pete to have established a new, and lasting, facet for the band as tireless public supporters of the Teenage Cancer Trust. I’m looking forward to showing my support at the Detroint show for both the band and for Who Cares: Teen Cancer America.

  12. Sameer says:

    Hi Pete. As a personal friend of Sarah’s, I thank you and Roger for all you’re doing to continue to raise funds and awareness for TCA! Very much looking forward to your show in Detroit on the 24th and hope to meet you one day over tea!

  13. Rustin Quaide says:

    You did a great show last night-glad I decided to go at the last minute. I liked it better than your ’97 show, but I guess everyone’s a critic (seeing Billy idol at the ’97 show was a nice surprise). Reading your book, but I’m on the elementary school years, so not too far in. Good luck! One of my two rock and roll prayers answered last night (the other involves seeing the Kinks,but who knows if that will ever happen). Also nice to see Mr. Moon singing “Bell Boy” and Mr. Entwhistle doing his magic via whatever time-loop technology was involved.

  14. gina b. says:

    You mean those visuals. Would send anyone in a tailspin to turn around, step back and oops.

    I have wondered about teenagers and cancer over the years because of The Who and because of Roger’s considerable efforts to raise awareness. It’s a haul of teamwork I can only vaguely imagine. A number of teenage cancers are rare or unique, and so is their circumstance. I was relieved to hear Sarah say she was a Stage 1 cancer survivor. Miraculous are indeed the scanners, the MRI, to have located the source of trouble for both teenagers.

    A friend of mine’s new husband’s nephew was an athlete and his story as I had heard it was exactly in the way Roger described and in so moving.

    bless you & Roger both and fuck this disease (and I mean everybody fuck this disease).

    – gina b.

  15. peter says:

    Pete,

    I watched on C SPAN and saw just how genuinely touched, surprised, inspired etc etc you were !! It was more of a look of complete shock and awe of your partner in crime Roger Daltrey !! You could see his love for others and his obvious love for you Pete !! Carry on as we wait for your show in Beantown !!!

  16. Ron says:

    Hi Pete,

    I was wondering if you are scheduled for a signing while in Reno for your show in February? I own one of your re-issued Gibson Deluxe Guitars and would love to have you sign it.

  17. ian jackson says:

    Bring the tour to UK please seeing little brother at portmerion Pete I’m sure he’d let you jam with him

  18. terry robinson says:

    PLEASE PLEASE do a UK tour Pete.

  19. BARBARA says:

    Pete,
    I will be seeing you in philadelphia. I am reading your memiors and enjoying them immensely.Keep doing what you do best. We love you

  20. CREATUREHAPPINESS says:

    I WENT TO ALL FLORIDA SHOWS LIKE THEY SHOUT AT ITALY OPERAS = PRAVO PRAVO PRAVO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! & YOU CAN HEAR MY INDIAN SCREAM REBEL YELL ON YOUTUBE BRILLIANT VIDEOS GUYS MADE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE JUST WISH PLEASE MAKE TIX CHEAP LIKE BRILLIANT 1982 DAYS YAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1982 ORLANDO TANGERINE BOWL WITH BRILLIANT ENTWHISTLE WEARING SUPER ORANGE FANCY SUIT WAS GREATEST GENERAL ADMISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DONT WORRY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOBODY IS GONNA GET TRAMPLED NOW COZ WE IS AL 60 YRS OLD!!!!!! NOBODY GOT HURT AT ALL IN GENERAL ADMISSION ORLANDO 1982 WE ALL HAD THE GREATREST SUPER INCREDIBLE COLLASSAL EXTRAODINARY SPECTACULAR GREATEST TIME EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HEY WHO ELSE CAN TOP THE STONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TO SAY THE LEAST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FANTASTIC SPECTCULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EUPHORIC ECKSTATIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SAW PETE & ROGER LIVE IN WASH DC 2012^13^TUY LIVE ON C~SPAN SATELITE TV !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU CAN SEE THE REAL WHOLE CANCER TALK ON C~SPAN.ORG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROGER GOT REALLY FUNNY LIKE THE BEAUTIFUL GIRL ASK HIM A SCIENCE QUESTION SO HE GOT THE DOCTOR JIMMY TO TALK THE REAL EXPERT 4REAL SERIOUS & HE FIRST SAID WOW ITS AMAZING WE GOT A GUY LIKE ROGER TO SAVE ALL & ROGER GUFFAWED & EVERYBODY LAFFED SUPER COZ YKNOW WE THINK ROGER IS JUST A STREET KID LIVING OUT OF HIS BRAIN ON A TRAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY FAVE QUADROPHENIA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LATER THE BEATIFUL GODDESS WHO STILL DIDNT GET PREGNANT FROM YOUNG ROGER = SAID HEY LET PETE TALK!!!!! & PETE SAID WOW I NEVER COULD UNDERSTAND MUCH OF 5 WORDS ROGER EVER SAID WHO KNOWS HE WOULD SAVE EVERYBODY LIKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT TWAS SUPER FUNNY & SAVED EVERYONE & SHE WANTED THE WHO TO PLAY THE HOSIPTAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I THINK ROGER { AND MICK JAGGER & ZILLION ROCK STARS !!!!!!!!!!!!! } GOTTA MAKE A MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN EVERY VILLAGE NOW COZ HE GETS EVERY GODDESS PREGNANT WHEN LIKE HE SINGS DR JIMMY HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HEE HEEE HEEEE HEEEE HO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEN WE GOTTA GET NASA SPACE TRAVEL STAR TREK TO LIVE IN SPACE WITH MODERN NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT BENIFITS ALL GOING COZ ROGER MAYBE MADE A ZILLION KIDS OVERPOPULATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANYWAY WATCH PETE & ROGER WASHINGTON DC 2012^11^13 TUESDAY TALK ON C~SPAN.ORG & SEND THEM DONATIONS & WHATEVER IDEAS HELP & HELP ALL & SAVE THE WORLD & ALL ANIMALS & ECOLOGY TOO SUPER BUZZ ALDRIN ALLWAYS TELLS US HERE IN FLORIDA & PLAY YER GEEETAR & PIANO & UKELELE SUPER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! = LIKE JETHRO BODINE SAYS WITH DR GRANNY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! = YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ~ HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE FUN YALL THANX SUPER YALL SUPER EXCELLENT MARVELOUSLY MAGNIFICENTLY SAVE THE UNIVERSE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. Barbara Catalano says:

    Hi Pete. I saw you on opening night in Sunrise, Fl and was overwhelmed with emotion and delight!!

    Of course, I missed you toward the end of the show but was relieved to know you were okay!! I was concerned something had happened to you!

    I am also proud to be a longtime WHO fan, you and Roger are awesome people. Please keep making music and helping those in need.

    By the way, finished your book yesterday and loved it!!!! You are pretty good at this writing thing 🙂

    Thank you

    Barbara

  22. nicholas calla says:

    looking foward to friday night in boston hoping you guys can find it in your hearts to play magic bus just because when i grow up i do not know what i want to be so i drive a local bus for 21 years now love ya keep rocking hard my best nicky c

  23. gary says:

    The DC show was briliant and powerful. The band was in great form. Pete played wonderfully and Roger in top form. Great to meet Simonand get his CD before the show. It was an emotional experience with the big crowd
    with a papable love for the music and the band.Seeing Pete and Roger together for the final song was really beatiful. Tea and Theater capped a great show. Thanks, DC always has loved the Who.

  24. Rodney Rigsby says:

    Greenville show was amazing!!Thank you Roger and Pete for the making your first tour visit ever in SC. It was worth the wait. Please people if you get a chance to see this show please do so!!

  25. Douglas says:

    The who simplismente demais ,,sou fã a muito tempo..vi festival de monterrey woodstock ilha de wight entre outros roger e pete são incríveis amo vcs

  26. Hunter says:

    Hey Pete! Its hunter here. I never really got a chance to talk to you at length after you and Roger had that interview. I just really wanted to thank you with all my heart for doing what you’re doing. I can’t wait to see the things we can achieve through TCA. Best of luck, hope you’re doing well!

  27. TedMaloney says:

    Roger is really amazing, no? How the hell did he turn out to be such a great guy? Who’d have thought it?

    Somewhat in jest,

    T
    E
    D

  28. Michele says:

    Pete,
    Thank you so much for your kind words about Sarah. I have been blessed to have taught her in 6th and 8th grades. She even came to my wedding and videotaped it as well. Sarah has an enormous heart and I am the lucky one who she loving calls “step-mom”. I am thankful that you were able to meet her and to continue on with her on the path for TCA. It is such a worthy cause.

    Thank you again.

  29. D Stenger says:

    In the groove indeed!!!! The show at the Verizon Center in DC last night was amazing. The performance of Quad was dynamic and tight. The band was razor sharp. And thanks, Pete and Roger, for acknowledging us VIPs at the sound check. What a great experience, well worth the money.

  30. LyndaGrace says:

    loving the Tour Diary Pete. (post @your blog).
    Keep ’em coming
    xo Lynda Grace

  31. Astrid says:

    Hello guys,
    please, please, please come to Germany!!!!
    Love you and your phenomenal and amazing music and the great things you do for TCT!
    Love,Astrid

  32. Tommy1 says:

    The Who is the only band that is still my number one favorite from teenage years to middle age years now. I first heard the Who when Tommy came out. It was the first time I could personally and powerfully relate to the story, as well as the power, passion and high energy level in it. As Eddie Vedder once said, the Who’s music captures all of the emotions. Quadrophenia is the best example of that. Keep on rocking in the sixties (your sixites).

  33. Tommy1 says:

    I wish you the best in your campaign to raise awareness of the issue of teenage cancer. Your approach of hospitals and cancer wards restructuring the space so that teenage cancer patients can be roomed with others is so practical. In a complicated health care system like the US has, that’s a breath of fresh air.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.