re: "The Kids" live

["Kipp, David G." <KIPPD@PCMAIL01.SYSTEMS.GEC.COM>]

Mike,
 you make great points that I have to elaborate on.  I was also at the show 
and noticed some of the things you did.

>By the way, on Sunday's show in Holmdel, Daltrey's voice was magnificent. 
(I
>.  Anyway, Roger sang great, especially on "Who Are
>You."  He sang it with what seemed enormous emotion, maybe because it was 
the
>last song of the night.

Early in the night, I said to my wife (the person, not the song) that 
Roger's voice was straining a bit. Not knowing it was a cold, I figured it 
was from the consecutive shows of the tour. But not only on "Who Are You", 
he sounded great on "Behind Blue Eyes". That's a song that doesn't seem very 
forgiving.  A singer has to sound smooth.  I know it's old gimmick, but with 
all the blue lights on, the song sounded and looked great.

 >Pete's guitar sound is so individualistic.  He has such a style, plays 
with such
>authority.  I think that's what separates the good players from the truly
>great ones.  And when he did the windmilling stuff...no one should ever 
doubt
>if Peter Townshend cares about the Who's fans because he dose that crap for 

>the fans.  Remember, this guy is 52 years old.  Hell, he could seriously 
hurt
>himself doing that stuff.  But the windmill is part of the Who's "persona", 

>if you will, and know's how much it means to the fans.

Pete definitely stepped up.  I got the feeling he would tease the crowd with 
a semi windmill knowing he would eventually provide an explosive one.  Pete 
did give the fans what they want.  I posted several months ago that this 
tour was "just another payday".  I couldn't have been more wrong.  There's 
too much heart being shown that would suggest they're touring *only* for the 
bucks.

>  At the end of the show Pete had a look on his face that was like, so
>pensive, almost puzzled.  He looked, to me now, like he was in utter
>amazement that there are still so many people that love The Who.  He just
>looked almost melancholy.  It was an appreciative look.

I also noticed that expression.  He almost looked like he wanted to say, "I 
can't believe how excited everyone is." Pete looked liked he might want do 
one more.    As a matter of fact, it was strange how the Arts Center didn't 
turn the house lights on right away.  They beamed some stage lights on the 
ceiling and  kept the house dark for 3 or 4 full minutes after the encores. 


Everyone has been talking about standing. One comment on it. I was sitting 
on John's side in the first row of the third section. (I had a wide aisle in 
front me.) I was able to stand a lot only because the entire section in 
front of me stood a lot.  But during the encores, everyone was standing and 
people around me were getting out of their seats and dancing in the wide 
aisle in front of me.  They were having a lot of fun. I would often give 
them a "high five slap" as they danced around. However, ushers, with flash 
light in hand, would tap these fans on their shoulders asking to look at 
their ticket stub.  I know there are safety rules, but some things can be 
overlooked. If they were so concerned about safety, where was the crowd 
control at the end of the night. To get out of this place, we all pushed, 
shoved and squeezed through the front gate. In my opinion, the show was 2 
hours old and going to end soon, let the people have a good time.

I'd like to throw a great big thanks to the band too.
Dave Kipp




Dave Kipp