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
Hello Noodler ! Was inspired by your autobiography Pete . I was lucky eneogh to see the 1969 Who performance at the Isle of Wight . I was blown away by it all and especially the Who set . Having been championed by Keith after he had seen me perform at the Lyceum Ballroom supporting Mott the Hoople In Feb. 1971, he showed up the following month wearing a fur coat when I played at the Marquee Club supporting IF . Keith left before Dennis Elliot came on stage ! We eventually met at the old Hammy Odeon at the ‘People for Kampachea Concert ‘ in Dec 1979 . Again insired by the man that wouldn’t wear the sparkling Top Hat like all the other guest guitarists including a young James Honeyman Scott playing the encore with Wings. The song was Rockestra ! The following year my band Pretenders played a support spot in ST. Louis and Kansas City where we couldn’t sell a ticket (Thank you and bless you both – Frank Barcelona and Barbara Skydell x x ) After being warned by your lighting designer about my stick bouncing antics and the chance of them spoiling his precious WHO white light focusing I of course raised the Red Rag to my Bull . Shortly after wen I was in a huge shower room with all the showers gushing a fully dressed and ready for stage Pete came into the shower and said ” I haven’t seen anything like that since Keith ” ! Very inspiring . Still is !
Your book was the second autobiography i had read since Christmas ( I got a deal at Smiths on two books. yours and Roderick Stewart’s ) Phylis’s book made me laugh out loud but I didn’t feel sad that there was no more to read of “Big Nose” and his gallavanting .. Keep on doing it whilst you are still young .. LOVE Martin Chambers X X X X
Pete I don’t know you only the music. I was born iN Massachusetts in 1958 so right there for The Who Prime time or defining our lives (Boston Garden and Keith falling off the drums antics though all was good – I must say that Who’s Next is why better than anything you guys put out (sorry it seems that Tommy is your favorite) myself and the boys dont really give a shit since its what connects which is parts of tommy amd mostly whos next the older stuff (cant explain etc sounds like old stones)is like well elvis. Anyway you guys are right there with at least tull (gasp ha) – lots of memories but dude moving on as we say in hawaii imua (forward) crank out some new material im on boARD
Pete Townshend.. You’re an absolute legend. I’m at chapter 8 of your book and I don’t want it to end!!!
Ok Pete.
Long time Who fan from Philly – first time blog contributor – yo and all that. Couple notes/comments on your post if that’s who this works.
Coulrophobia, a fear of clowns, is actually a relatively common fear. Read (or re-read) Kings novel “IT” (a solid american fiction writer:) if interested in experiencing some trepidation others can have – no matter what the age. And on a more serious note -all kids deserve the best – so whatever floats their boat and keeps em smiling.
…and yes…apparently urban/suburban myth and fact..Quadrophobia is an irrational or unjustified (and often uncontrollable) fear (and sometimes terror) of things that come in fours. Now – my mates and my better half (the wife) who all still love the who might say we do not fear the Who – especially the monster daddy album of them all – but we do respect it (and know all the words:) Great show in Philly in December and looking forward to seeing the band again with my air drums and guitars in AC. Bring your A game again – I’ll be bringing mine.
You can’t offend clowns. Don’t fret. Also, it is pretty much universally acknowledged that clowns are creepy. A ukulele only enhances this effect.