RE: The Who Mailing List Digest V6 #289

["O'Neal, Kevin W." <Kevin.ONeal@vtmednet.org>]

> This is what Pete means by his "commission."  It's a conscious effort on
> his part to keep up to date
> with the society in which he & his fellow human beings live.  I believe
> he's well aware of the lives &
> day-to-day experiences of his peers & feeds off that.  This is where his
> inspiration comes from.
> 
> So I don't think we have to worry that we, as fans, aren't doing enough to
> help Pete write new material.
> Lord knows, he doesn't want somebody standing over his shoulder saying,
> "Write a song about this !"
> or "Write a song about that !"  As with many things dealing with Pete, his
> "commission" is a personal
> acceptance of a responsibility to write songs about his generation, and,
> through his genious, to write about
> our generation as well.  God bless the crazy bastard !!!!!
> 
> 
> - - SCHRADE in Akron
> 
	[O'Neal, Kevin W.]  I just went back to Pete's message posted on his
site, and now can't find what he said about needing a commission to do
Lifehouse shows.  Aaarrgghh!!!  Where did I just recently read that!!??
	I agree, I in no way want to have any influence on Pete as far as
what he should write about.  But, I fear that he is asking for feedback from
us.  Is he/The Who still wanted?  Do we still need him as a "spokesperson"?
The feeling I got from his recent statements (WISH i COULD FIND THE FIRST
ONE THAT GOT ME THINKING ALONG THIS LINE!!!)  is that he doesn't have that
good of an idea of what his fans need. Not tours and more music, but what
our daily needs/problems are.  This sounds very much in line with an
interview I recently read with Eddie Vedder, who looked to Pete for some
help.  Vedder was worried that due to his popularity, he was becoming
increasingly isolated from the rest of society.  And because of this was
finding it more difficult to "stay in touch/tune" with his fans.  If I could
pull his ear for a moment, I'd tell him to go with his gut and write about
what HE FEELS!  It's always worked in the past.  Whether he knows it or not,
his feelings/fears/emotions/ etc. have generally coincided with what his
fans have felt/feared/etc.  That's why I'm here.
	Does Pete still feel the "responsibility to write songs about his
generation (and ours) "?  Is he asking us to confirm this responsibility?  I
don't know.  Confirmation never hurts.  But how? 
	After reading some comments about the abuse on his site and Pete's
reaction, I feel a need more than ever to try and hog tie that site.  If we
all join in and guide the discussion in a positive way (and come down on
White Fang or what ever the hell is fucking name is swiftly and powerfully)
we can have a voice.  A loud voice.....a note that's in us all.
	I'm game.  I'll even start it.  But I'll need the support of some of
you regulars.  Schrade, Keets, Brian in Atlanta, Derrick, Ed, Whobabe,
whogirl, Kevin O'B, Dave, Nick B., Drew W (no offense if I didn't list you
here.....consider yourself included).  
	Feedback?
	Kevin in VT.