8 Nov 2012
TOUR DIARY – November 7, 2012
Great to be in the USA on election day. I would have been happy for either candidate to win. There are pros and cons. The only longing I have is for the President to work more closely with the UK than he appears to have done before. As unpopular as they ended up with the deep thinkers, George W Bush and Tony Blair were friends, and that – to me – exemplified what I feel is most important about the relationship between the UK and the USA. We are above all else friends. Friendship is not ‘special’ (as in the ‘special relationship’), it is normal, and accepting.
And so the Who tour kicked off in the teeth of a hurricane, and our immediate duty to our millions of fans in the NorthEast is to promise that we will hopefully do more than just offer our prayers. While we’re here we’ll try to do something practical, as I am certain will all of our rock and pop buddies. Watch this space.
The shows so far? I’m doing great. The stage level is very quiet, and that suits me. I want to hang on to my hearing, which is still good enough to mix music like I did for the Quadrophenia Director’s Cut, and to cut my own demos at home. Roger is singing incredibly well. His vision is an interpretation of Quadrophenia rather than a straight narrative, and that seems to suit the period we are in as the two surviving members of the old Who, and our age. It FEELS great to me (I can’t see the screens behind me and I haven’t been able to see the entire set of projections because I was working right up until rehearsals) and that is the best measure for me. Roger and his creative team have clearly done a great job.
The audiences so far have been wonderful, and the shows promise to continue to improve. It’s great to see some old faces, but as always I’m glad to see a few younger people in the crowd, and I hope they haven’t been dragged along to check us out by nagging parents (or grandparents!).
Thanks to all of you who have bought my book.
Pete Townshend November 7th, 2012
For www.thewho.com
Pete, Thank you for this. I hope you will have time to post more tour insights. It was wonderful to see the band in Sunrise, FL after I’ve been away for so many years. I look forward to my 6 more shows and only wish I was able to go to shows in more cities as I’ve met so many wonderful people online and at your book signings who have welcomed me back to the Who Family. Peace & Love, Lisa Ann Volpe
Thank you, Pete Townshend. Your broadband infusion of art has and continues to be profound.
Thanks Pete. Already “dragged” my kids over 18 years ago @ ages 8 and 12. Keep goin til my grandson Leo can come along. CU, God willing, in Pittsburgh, Louisville and Columbus!
Can’t wait to see you back in Philly, been seeing you since 1975 and this year I’m bringing my new girlfriend to see you play. She loves you a lot and wishes she could meet you ( so do I ) maybe somewhere down the road it can happen . I would like to see you take “Lifehouse” on the road and would love to hear “Greyhound Girl”. Anyways stay focused on your music and thanks for sharing it…
Thank you Pete. It’s fabulous to have you back in the U.S., and I think we’re all ready to lend a hand or a little money to any project you might have that will help those that have been affected by the terrible storm.
I really can’t wait to see the tour come around to my neck of the woods. I’ll be attending the Los Angeles and Anaheim shows, and I absolutely can’t wait to hear Quadrophenia in all of its live glory, especially knowing it hasn’t been taxing on your hearing. It’s my favorite Who record by far, and in 1996 when it was performed here last I was only 6 years old. This time around, I’ll really be able to appreciate it.
I’m glad to represent part of the younger Who fandom, and I’m always proudly dragging kids my age to Who shows. They always come out with a great appreciation for what you’ve done as a band, and wanting to borrow my Who records.
Keep up the brilliance,
Amanda Blaze Pillon
P.S. I’ve just finished reading your autobiography. Thank you for diving so candidly into your private life for us. I think we all appreciate it very deeply!
I’d love to hear your thoughts after you’ve seen the whole projection. It’s certainly a different interpretation of Quadrophenia, especially during “The Rock” (when you are understandably quite busy). It erases the specificity of being about a mid-1960’s Mod and extends it to a story of the entire generation from World War II to the current day.
As for the young people, I saw quite a few amongst all us grey haired, Who T-shirt wearing types and they seemed to enjoy it. A young man in his mid-teens was sitting behind me singing along and miming power chords as if it was his generation’s music instead of mine. I suppose it was if he wants to make it so.
Today I was in a locker room and I let out that I am to see the Who perform Quadrophenia and I was the envy of the room. The women didn’t know about the concert. How to reach them, I wonder. (I told them tickets were still on sale.) By the way, I heard the Red Cross has received something upward of 14m so far for the northeast.
I wasn’t aware Obama and Cameron weren’t friendly. Massive positive difference from the outcome of this election was for my mother. I’m happy to write the President a letter asking that he makes friends with England. I’m also relieved a lot of anti-women republicans lost their lease.
I’m so thrilled to see the show! GLAD you’re feeling great. Thank YOU for the book!!!
Gina,
I hope the Red Cross puts that money into action. They were a no-show in my town and the people needed them!
T
E
D
Pete,
I’ll see you in Greenville, SC tomorrow at the Bi-lo Center. Give me a shout out!
Pete, Saw you in Philadelphia for book signing. Loved your book! ( Also loved Horses Neck!) It’s great to hear that the tour is going well. Please keep us posted on your thoughts as it progresses. Can’t wait to see you in Philadelphia and New Jersey!
Thanks Pete. I met you at the book signing in Philly . What a great expierence . Thanks . I was hard on words a little , but I brought my mom and she said “two generation’s ” and you said . “No it’s MY Generation ” it was just classic 🙂 awesome . We’ll I’ll be seeing you in the 10th row at the Philly show . With the Maximum R&B shirt on lol . Later Pete and thanks for the music . Changed my life ✌
Saw you in Orlando and loved the show. First time seeing you indoors as the first two (1976 in Miami and 1982 in Orlando) were outdoor shows. I thought the interplay on 5:15 and Bell Boy were great. I hope you continue for years to come whether it be as The Who or solo.
Hey Pete
Thanks for the words and thoughts.
The book is great…..thanks for signing it…them.
Looking forward to seeing and hearing you on Sunday.
Best,
Dave
Welcome Pete, come on in enjoy having you here don’t be too concerned about the politicians if they act up we just fire them or make them quit. I liked your book.
Aloha, Pete! Welcome to the US of A!
I will be at the Greenville show tonight, and am looking forward to it with anxious and tremendous anticipation.
I have been following you (ALL of your solo stuff, and that with The Who) and have been a deep, deep-hearted fan since the age of 12 (I am now 44).
One of my ONLY TRUE aspirations in life, is to meet you. It was through a reputable firm that I bought myself the most extravagant package I could for tonight’s show, in hopes that it would increase my odds of meeting you for just a moment. So, I purchased The Pete Townshend Fan Package…and all I got was a lousy t-shirt that doesn’t even fit. Yes, there is a dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, too.
Now, I am NOT complaining (well, maybe a little, but not to you), I just merely wanted to inform you. I did my best!!
**I will consider myself fortunate if you see from the stage how much I adore you. My life will seem closer to fine, closer to complete.
So, having said that, with certainty I shall see YOU tonight, 11/8/12, from Row M, Seat 11 (Floor 3). “All shall be well…”
ALL my best to you, Mr. Townshend!**
Of course tears continue fill my eyes when I think of another show without meeting the ONE person I have admired the MOST in ALL of my life. No one compares to you, Pete. Who Came First, Rough Mix, Chinese Eyes (a record that helped shape my existence), Empty Glass, White City, Iron Man, Psychoderelict, Scoop, Another Scoop, Scoop 3…love them all, and then some; you know, Who Came First! 😉
I really got duped with the package I bought. I informed the ticket company out of Hollywood, FL that I feel as though a sharp knife has been plunged into my chest. It really hurts!!
It’s the end for me, as I see it, as far as my life’s quest.
Loved the book, I gifted it to a friend to read. I hope to see you guys in Columbus, in February, but I don’t think I will have enough money to manage a ticket and gas. Keeping my fingers crossed. I stayed up in the cold watching the election on the internet; always a joy watching the newscasters with their fancy touch-screens going berserk trying to figure it all out before the other network does. Makes me sick, really. I wondered what all the other people around the country watching the same images were thinking. Things are so split here – a fitting complement to Quadrophenia – it is almost exactly 50/50 between political parties, as it must stay for this country to work. Which got me thinking, if either party were to be truly successful, wouldn’t it be the downfall of the country? They would soon attain massive superiority in numbers in the Congress, and as history shows, any unchecked political party leads to disastrous results for the populace. Maybe the ultimate course of action will be for the citizens here to drive the political apparatus off a cliff into the ocean 🙂 Then with the sunset as a backdrop, the silhouette walks away as the character says in a Monty Python sounding voice, while wiping his hands – ‘Right! Now back to work!’
Health issues bar me from any first leg shows. I hope you are as keen to play in Tulsa OK, as I am to see you play there. I call them my Pilgrimages,I have a very strucured routine when I travel for THE WHO.I look forward to it. I would however love to see you play my hometown of Saint Louis again one day. I urge you to investigate one of the Will Rogers Memorials/museums while in the region. It is a huge part of the American experience,in my eyes anyway. If time is short,visit the web site. Stay healthy and have fun, send our collective love to Rachel as well. See you in February. Cheers, Danny
Pete…I’ve been going to Who concerts since ’71. Please consider playing I CAN”T REACH YOU when you’re in Boston. All The Best! FROSTY
Pete I loved your biography. I hope you have peace and happiness. I find myself appreciating your art even more and the effort you put into it. Going to the Boston show and can’t wait.
Pete, your memoir was clearly written and I enjoyed the insights into your character and experiences.
I had been thinking of how enjoyable and different your ‘Who Sell Out’ album had been and I noticed the fan request above for ‘I Can’t reach You.’ What a beautiful song!
Thank you for all the wonderful art, entertainment and love throughout the years!
Best of everything to you and your family!
Bob
So pleased you are enjoying yourself Pete. I can’t wait for the Tour to reach my neck of the woods. I am enjoying your book, and mostly the AudioBook.
xo Lynda Grace
Pete,
Thanks for the powerful and candid picture of your life. It’s nice to know more about the man behind some of the best music of the last 50 years. I named my son, Pete, after you and we share the same birthdate, May 19th. Thanks for all the great music! See you in Chicago. Stay lucky.
Bill
Hi, Pete! It’s good to know the stage sound isn’t hurting your ears. And it’s GREAT to know you’re having a good time out there. I’m going to the Pittsburgh show on 11/11, and if you guys feel up to it, I’d love to hear you play Young Man Blues just once more. The first time I saw you live was the fourth night at MSG in NY in 1979, and Kenny Jones just couldn’t get the timing right! See you Sunday!
Hello Mr. Townshend… Thanks for the great book of your life so far, and also for the fantastic music you have given the world. The Who by Numbers, with Squeeze Box, may be my all time favorites. Looking forward to seeing The Who at Mohegan Sun on Dec. 9.
Hi Pete
coming to see you guys in DC tonight (Nov 13th). Quad being the best concept Album of course but Who’s Next is a masterpiece well worth you almost losing your mind over it. Last time I seen you guys JE was still with us. I’m bringing my 15 year old Daughter tonight, she has to see what I keep telling her is the best live band there is. She’s got the Union Jack threads and looking forward to it. For her sake I hope you can find the time to play WGFA…My first live Who experience was seeing you at the Roundhouse in London (I think) 1973. My mate and I left a German bier keller in Glasgow late one Friday night and blagged our way onto a Euston bound train to see you. Woke up in Carlisle and kept going with two quid between us. I remember Amourouse more than any other song that night although My Generation after the annoying guy in the audience was also memorable. I was all in from that point onwards. It’s mentioned in your book but I was sure you hit the guy who kept asking for Underture….wouldn’t mind if you had. BTW he appeared on Top of the Pops a few weeks later dancing away to Sweet with a bandaged nose, thought you should know.
Pete, You changed my life as a teenager and in a very positive way and I’ve bought and listened to (I think) everything you’ve ever produced. I raced through the book in a week, a record for me.
Thank you for 50 years of great music and writing. (see you tonight)
Dave S
Hello friend,
Your book is courageous and I know your loving fans are grateful you ventured it. You already know I loved ‘Horses Neck'(your unfettered prose), so thank you for this fearless and spirited look at your life. Thanks, too, for the laughs in recent book tour interviews (Jon Stewart, et al)…
This election was the most divisive we’ve experienced since probably the Nixon years. The result must now be for Congress and the prez to pass the peace pipe to one another….to act as ONE or we will all feel the pain soon…
It’s been a long while since I’ve seen you, so it will be nice to cheer you on at the Pepsi Center (Denver) in ’13. If time and interest allow, feel free to drop me a line.
Virtual hugs,
Cherie
Tomorrow is the Brooklyn concert. I am very fortunate I can afford the best tickets and really blessed to be going with a couple of friends who I have been seeing the Who with for almost forty years. I am also very fortunate in that Hurricane Sandy only caused myself and my family minor inconveniences. That is not the case with many. People have lost their homes and belongings, many have withered through the past weeks without electricity or heat and are suffering financially. You have delivered before for the People of New York unfortunately we need you again. That is a burden and one that should not be placed on your shoulders but a night where we can get lost in the music will be good for all of us. Thanks in advance.
Hi Pete,
This is completely off topic BUT,
back when we used to see you regularly at the ‘Trade’in Watford the Everly Brothers number “Man With Money” was a staple of The Who set.
Dig you ever record it and, if so, was it ever released?
Currently reading your book, the memories are flooding back! Good luck for the rest of the tour.
Gerry
The song is on the BBC sessions CD. Great song.
Watford Trade Hall eh? I lived in Hemel and went a few times.
Pete, thanks so much for all you’re giving and doing at present – from your book to personal appearances, and glorious WHO performances.
Thanks especially for taking extra time to speak with my son, John Patrick, at the NY Public Library on 8th October, the occasion of his 21st birthday.
Thanks to you, it’s an occasion he shall never forget. And as his dad, no words suffice to convey my gratitude to you, and admiration of you, for that.
All love and best wishes to you on your journey across our land, and we look forward to seeing you next at the Garden on 5th December.
Love you,
John
“It’s great to see some old faces, but as always I’m glad to see a few younger people in the crowd, and I hope they haven’t been dragged along to check us out by nagging parents (or grandparents!).”
I brought my two sons who are 13 and 11 to the Denver show. They were already fans, so I didn’t have to twist their arms. They both thought it was great. A mutual love of your music, as well as that of others, has served as a strong bond for us.
The first time I saw The Who was back in ’79 when I was 15. It was gratifying to finally share this experience with my kids.
Thank you so much for doing the tour.
Hi Pete,
I’m incredibly lucky in that my dad and I are going to see The Who in Glasgow on the tour. I am a huge fan of The Who and your solo work and can’t put into words how grateful I am that you’ve decided to tour Quadrophenia. It’s been an amazing experience for me listening to your back catalogue of songs that have helped me through a difficult time. Watching the old performances made me feel quite sad that I never got to experience The Who live and now thanks to you and Roger I will! You’re an incredible inspiration to me and my dad. Thank you for the music!