December 9, 2012
TOUR DIARY – December 9th, 2012
The Clown who plays Ukelele.
It occurs to me that Roger’s first TCA ‘ambassador’ Sarah Sterner, who tells a funny story about being entertained by a clown playing ukelele when she was recovering from cancer treatment, might not be so funny for the clown in question. She did not sneer at this clown. She used him as an example to make a distinction between what little kids enjoy in hospital, and what teenagers prefer.
I have repeated the story a few times, playing it for laughs. Then I suddenly remembered that once or twice in my life I have portrayed myself as that very clown, pounding stages.
The volunteer, dressing up and going to paediatric wards to entertain children, does so out of love and duty, and I must be careful to make very sure here that I do not sneer at what this clown, who volunteers to entertain and nurture young people in hospital, is doing. It is a high calling.
Roger’s pitch is that Sarah says she needed something different, more grown up, more TEENAGED. Sarah agrees, so we must accept their mission.
A young woman recovering from cancer might prefer the clown to go in without the costume, dressed in his street clothes, with a guitar rather than a ukelele, reveal himself as a bit of handsome dude, gaze in her eyes, and sing her some of his coolest love songs……..Sarah is certainly beautiful enough to merit the music.
You know what I mean. But if you’re a little kid, a clown with uke is very cool. If you’re a teenager God only knows what you’ll think is cool.
- Pete Townshend. December 9th, 2012
For www.thewho.com
53 Responses to TOUR DIARY – December 9th, 2012
Pete,
Just finished reading your auto-b. Figured this would be the easiest way to drop you a note of well wishes. Thanks for making the effort. We now have a little idea of who you are. Was not a big fan until we came to hear you guys play Three Rivers Stadium (now gone) in Pittsburgh. Then came to the civic centre for the (new) Quadrophenia tour. Anyway, very much enjoyed the personal history and the R&R history contained in those pages. Could’ve read a thousand pages ! Glad you and Roger “survived” it all.
Best to you and yours.
P.S. Enjoyed hearing you guys play the “Sandy” show.
Always luv ya Pete, enjoy your diary entries, most people in show biz get known through the media, well, one good thing about computers is that we (fans) can actually get to know the real person (like Keith Richards website), ya know lil videos w/ comments..etc. , and not through a “writer or editorialists” “filter” so to speak. I’m glad you take the time to do this. And, I think it was great that u & many musicians came together to help people, “star-power”, used the right way for a change, other than just “obnoxious” red carpet parties & back slapping. I’ve had catasrophic tragedies happen to me in the past few years, didn’t think I’d survive them, during those times I went back to Rock & Roll, The WHo, Stones, Beatles.., reconnect w/ my youth I guess, anything to take me out of the present, which was full of hate & anger, mostly unresolved, but I just gotta move on. It changed me, in some ways for the better, I’ll never take anything for granted again. So thank you
Pete,
Saw both concerts in Chicago last month.
They were nothing short of amazing!!!
All I can say is please come back and
play in Chicago before your concert tour
ends.
Pete,
You are indeed right. We all have special “gifts” we were given, as we should use them to the best of our ability. You my friend, have a gift, as the many responses say. I also know that when you get the news of being ill, you tend to have an overflow of emotions, so for some a clown will not work for others it may. For us, your music, your sense of humor..what was that line…..”now go have a *@$* beer”? Your openess with your fans (ie the book)just you my friend just you help many suffering get through the day. So God bless you, and by the way you didn’t put me in the book, and you said you loved me….once. LOL
Pete -
Even Clowns cry. Sometimes the painted tear hides the real one. But we all do our best… but sometimes, I don’t know why.