4 Dec 2020

Win Pete Townshend’s Gold Fender Stratocaster!

“I’m really excited to be involved with the #ILoveLive prize draw which launches today to raise vital funds for all the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes in the live music industry. I am giving away one of my gold Fender Stratocasters to benefit the UK music industry. This guitar can be yours for just a fiver so to be in with a chance of winning, enter here !” ~ PETE TOWNSHEND

Pete Townshend is raising money for stage crew charity Stagehand’s #ILoveLive campaign, which is providing financial help for all UK stage crew who are in the greatest need. Stage crew seem to be the forgotten ones in the current pandemic. They’re the unsung heroes of the live entertainment world. Without them shows just couldn’t happen.

The impact of Covid-19 has been devastating for the whole music industry but particularly for the stage techs, sound engineers, guitar techs, keyboard techs, drum techs, stage managers, production managers, tour managers and other live support personnel who make shows possible.

With no shows since March, crews’ income has been slashed, with many finding that they are ineligible for any kind of government financial aid. Many are in desperate need and most are sitting with mental health issues.

“I’m so glad of this opportunity to try to help touring crew people who have been out of work now since March. I have two family members, nephews who work in stage lighting, and despite government help their employing companies are really struggling.

Many of the backline crew for The Who have equally become family friends. Most crew people work hand to mouth. It’s true that they are fairly well paid compared to some others, and their life is interesting and exciting in some ways. But it is extraordinarily tough. They endure long periods away from home, tricky partnership issues, away from their children and parents for long periods. Physically it can be brutal. The mental issues that arise from the life are not as well known as those suffered by spoiled brats on the stage like me, but they are equally disturbing and hard to treat. Their entire circle of family and friends are affected. Many don’t have much of a life when they are not on the road, and touring becomes what they life for.

When live performing returns we will expect all these people to suddenly pull themselves together and do their jobs again, without complaint, and with smiling faces. As individuals there is not a lot I can do to help the thousands of people who have been hit by this pandemic. I do help some individuals of course, but this auction and campaign is chance to show how much we care for everyone in this industry, and that we understand exactly what privations all our people are suffering, especially those who get the shows up and running for us in every venue.” ~ PETE TOWNSHEND

Let’s help raise some money to support them this winter. It could literally save lives.

Pete playing the gold Fender Stratocaster during ‘The Seeker’ at Wembley on 6 July 2019. Photo © William Snyder

Pete playing the gold Fender Stratocaster at Wembley on 6 July 2019. Photo © William Snyder