RE: Why should you despair

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

From: "Mark R. Leaman" <mleaman@sccoast.net>
Subject: Why should you despair?

        Cheers                 ML

Just want to comment on what Mark has written.
Bravo.
Great letter Mark.  I hope you mail it.

I finally got over to pete's site today, expecting to read a violent bashing
of his fans (considering some of the discussions that have ensued).  Rather,
what I found was a man who has achieved great things in his life, being
honest with his fans about his feelings.  I didn't see it as being harsh or
anything like that at all.
Like Brian said, many Who fans are really a bunch of whiners, and are so
arrogant as to think they should/could cause influence.  Even if you could
influence the band or the man, why the hell would you????  Is it still The
Who, if The Who blindly does what anyone says?? NO!
Go to the show.  Enjoy what you get.  What the hell else is there?  What the
hell else do you (general you) want?  Why are we so fucking demanding of
these guys??  I just take it as it comes, and am very happy when it does.

This leads me into having to make a comment about "following the band".  I
find it hard to feel negative at all with anyone who "follows" the band.
Life, in general can be a big fat pain in the fucking ass at times.  It has
it's highs, but it sure as hell has it's lows. Going to a Who show is one of
those rare moments in life, when Life is Good.  To me, it's like going to
church (if you're into that).  Do you go to church to just pray?? No.  There
is community.  There is family. Seeing The Who on stage for me is to watch
great musicians. All the rest is added gravy that makes it not just a
concert, but a family reunion.  I've gone to multiple shows in the past, and
am doing again this tour.  I'm enjoying every moment, while I *can* enjoy
it.  Before we know it, they'll be gone.  I keep remembering the feeling in
'89 when I thought I would never be able to see "my" band..........ever.  It
didn't feel good.  It hurt.
It's difficult to lump all multiple show attendees into one "following the
band" bucket.  I don't see myself as following the band (I know, no one said
I am), rather I'm doing what feels really good.  The friends, the sights,
the moments, before and after the shows are so much a part of the whole
event.  It's all good, and if you can go ($$, time) and can maintain that
"goodness" (not get bored), then you should.  If not, then you'll have to
wait for the county fair to try and match that feeling.  ramble, ramble,
ramble.
I guess I just want people to be careful not to alienate fellow fans for
doing what feels good to them.

Back to Pete, 
I tend not to agree with the notion that this is a "passing emotion".  This
is what Pete feels, and from my vantage point, he's right.  Just because
he's not going to dwell on it today, doesn't mean his thoughts should be
dismissed (my words)in any way.
In the immortal words of that Pete-bashed band.......Let it be.  It, being
The Who.  One thing you'll never see me write (go back in the archives and
check)is something critical of The Who.  I'm not a critic.  I don't
understand the notion.  How can someone tell me it's "good", or art is
"bad".  It's all subjective.  Numbers don't add up, but art is not numbers.
A critic operates on the assumption that *they* know what is good and bad.
I know what *I* like, but couldn't begin to tell Marc what *he* likes.
While I have my favorites, due to various reasons, I tend to "appreciate"
*everything* they do.
Appreciate is the key word. Every piece The Who has done "touches" me in
some way.  Makes me smile, makes me shrug my shoulders, makes me want to
pick up a lawn chair at 2:00am and toss it off the deck (Yeeeeeowwwwww!!),
makes me want to hold my wife.  What ever it is, it is something, and it
constantly changes..........from song to song.
Pete's not pissed.  I hope some of you can see that.  He's doing something
that most don't even bother.  He's reaching out.  He's sharing himself.
What's the difference between what he has written in this post, versus many
of the songs he's written?
To me, nothing.
Thanks Pete for keeping it real.

Stay in Tune,
Kevin in VT.