Re: WHO CONVENTION

[Alan McKendree <amck@thenetdr.com>]

>From: "Lisa" <lisaann@niagara.com>
>
>Has anyone on this list ever attended one

I was at the 1995 convention (as were some other listers).

>and could you please
>let me know what it's like

It was like a strawberry milkshake in some ways, but not in others.  There
have been a couple of other Who conventions in the past (one in NY, I
think, one in the UK, without going to my reference material :-), but they
were never a regularly scheduled event (as, for that matter, was the '95
convention not) -- my point being that conventions occur irregularly if at
all.  The 1995 convention was organized by longtime fans in the UK, some of
whom went on to found the Naked Eye fan publication.  It was held, as I
mentioned, at the Bottom Line in Shepherd's Bush.  The Bottom Line is a
pub, or more accurately a bar in front and a dance floor with a stage in
the back, holding about 700 people.  The convention was one day only.  From
morning until mid-afternoon, collectors and memorabilia dealers and fans
displayed their stuff for show and for sale, on tables set up on the dance
floor, with a good variety of rare and semi-rare music, books, pins, etc.,
etc.  Who videos played on a projection screen on one side of the stage
constantly.  They had a trivia contest and other activities during the day.

In the evening the dance floor was cleared and the Who tribute band Deja
Who played, followed by Simon Townshend opening with a few songs, then the
DST lineup who performed for over an hour.  (DST=Daltrey Sings Townshend,
the 1994 tour including Roger, John,  Simon, Jody Linscott, Zak Starkey,
Peter Gordino, Billy Nicholls...).

There was never a promise that any of The Who would be there, although
rumors abounded, yes and no, right up until the day of the convention,
although the organizers obviously worked closely with the musicians to
arrange their performance.  Pete had sent a congratulatory and well-wishing
fax early enough for it to be reproduced in the convention program, but did
not attend.

> and if it's worth going to?

Was it worth it going to for me?  Yep.  To you?  Who knows? :-)  Hope so.


Alan

"Never never hesitate, communicate, communicate..." --Pete Townshend