Dirty laundry

[mpetersen@hjt.com]

     WhiteFang, re:
     
     >Without going into too many details, it's not Pete who has the
     >"animosity and bitterness about the group". If he did, he wouldn't be
     >so heavily involved in the reissue process. On the other hand, in
     >Pete's current lifestyle, The Who just doesn't fit. As much as I love
     >The Who, in many ways, I can't blame him...
     
     >-wf
     
     As much as I'm a huge fan of the Who and especially Pete and I don't 
     want to sound like I'm ragging on Pete, but.....(with apologies to 
     Pete, here I go).... it sure sounds like Pete carries more than a bit 
     of a grudge with the other members in the band, especially Daltrey.  
     In almost every interview about the "old times with the Who" that I've 
     read, Pete in his brutally honest fashion really rags about the others 
     in the band.  
     
     This attitude can be seen with his "Who Cares" title of the Maximum 
     R&B booklet.  As well as his comments in the Max R&B live, about 
     Daltrey's "Everly bros" stage persona.  I've also read where he said 
     that the other members were "fucking ungrateful" and that "they're 
     still fucking ungrateful".  Although this last comment was followed by 
     laughter.  He's also been quoted about getting sick and tired of 
     Daltrey's bare chested/fringe jacket Woodstock look in the early 70's. 
     He's also mentioned how the tension between he and Daltrey that 
     existed in the 70's has continued to this day.  He's even gone on to 
     mention that with Moon dead, he has "won" the race for fan loyalty. 
     Etc, etc. etc.
     
     I guess the thing to remember about the Who, was that to some extent 
     their success was built on incredible energy, outrageousness and band 
     member competition and dissonance.  These guys were known to engage in 
     fisticuffs at one time.  With the exception of the Ox, each was 
     elevated to new heights by trying to outdue or outperform the others.  
     I think that this may be no small part of the secret to their success. 
     Unfortunately, though, I think this process may have also burned Pete 
     out on the Who a bit.  
     
     As the primary writer of Who material, I wonder if Pete's attention to 
     the reissue process is more a situation of saving "his" versus "Who" 
     material for posterity. 
     
     As far as the Who not fitting in with his current lifestyle, 
     unfortunately, I'm sure that this is quite true.  The secret to the 
     success of the music of the Who was that Pete would write these really 
     sensitive songs like "Behind Blue Eyes" or "Love Reign O'er Me" and 
     then he'd give it to a "War Machine" Band (his term for the Who) and 
     turn it into a really meaningful kick ass, rock 'n roll tune.  Pete 
     still writes great material, but since he's grappling with late 
     middle-age, he doesn't seem to stomach the rock'n'roll variations of 
     his music anymore. He seems content with "Deep-End Live", or "Pete 
     Townshend Live" type of formats now.   'Course Deep-end Live is one of 
     my favorite Townshend solo efforts, but given the choice between a 
     great new solo album and a great new Who album. I'd take the new Who 
     album in a second.  
     
     I don't think that a Who album in the nineties would have the 
     synergism of a LAL, this only comes from constant practice/gig work.  
     But it wouldn't surprise me if they could cut an album of the quality 
     of say Who Are You.  
     
     But I don't think it will ever happen. However one interprets it, the 
     fact remains that Pete considers the Who a retired band for all 
     intents and purposes.  
     
     All of the above is only my humble opinion, since my only interaction 
     (one-way interaction, hmmm I guess this is an oxymoron) with the band 
     is through the media I'm sure it's been heavily tainted. White Fang, 
     since you have more direct contact with the principles involved, I 
     would be very much interested to hear your opinions and viewpoints.
     
     -Mark