[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Pete's rejection of the Who



Mark,

>>>Well, Daltrey accuses Townshend of no less than trying to stretch Rock
music
too far...but I agree with you. And don't with Daltrey. I think QUAD was
well handled, and it's a great shame that Pete pretty much gave up
stretching (with The Who, anyway) after that.<<<

But don't you think that Pete's ultimate rejection of the Who was inevitable?
I do, mostly because Pete held such resentment toward members of his own
band.  Daltrey got all the sex and Entwistle had most of the band's
virtuosity.  I always saw the Who as Townshend's vehicle toward greater
artistry AND success.  And not only was the band a vehicle, but it was also a
shield--mostly from failure.  If the Who had gone away quietly in 66, 67, or
68, Townshend could have assuaged himself by saying the band folded, not that
he folded.  

These kinds of motivations fuel Pete's stalwart resistance toward reforming
the Who for any new music ("Dig" notwithstanding).  We may not like it, and
it would be interesting to hear new Who music, but I have a hard time seeing
Townshend relenting to it anytime soon.  If Pete's "fairhaired boy" status
falters, then a Who reunion's likelihood goes up.

- - --Jim


- ------------------------------

From: substitute@iol.it