Iwon.com article ...

["Brian Wright" <lump_16@hotmail.com>]

A pretty good article apeared on Iwon.com:


The Who's Townshend Premieres New Rock Opera
February 25, 2000 11:20 pm EST

By Rajiv Sekhri

LONDON (Reuters) - Rock legend Pete Townshend brought to fruition 30 years 
of work with the live premiere of his rock opera "Lifehouse" in London on 
Friday.

Townshend, who was part of the rock group The Who, has been developing 
"Lifehouse" since 1970.

The story of a post-apocalyptic society has become topical with its 
portrayal of a vast communication network called the Grid -- similar to the 
Internet -- used for all interaction by urban communities who have fled 
indoors from rampant pollution.

In fact, the piece is scheduled to be broadcast on the Internet in April or 
May by MCY.com, a New York-based company that offers digital downloads of 
popular music.

"The inspiration for (Lifehouse) came from a lot of things," a tired 
Townshend told Reuters after the performance at a packed Sadler's Wells 
Theater in London.

"It came from a spiritual journey into the cosmic world of Woodstock and 
Sufi writings of Mehar Baba."

Three decades ago, when Townshend began work on the rock opera and the 
Internet was still a fantasy, he found little interest for his mix of 
science fiction, spirituality, eastern mysticism and good old rock and roll.

"Lifehouse was intended as film script but floundered effectively every 
time," said Nick Goderson, Townshend's business manager.

He said Friday's performance might lead to a bigger, more dramatic show with 
more interaction with the audience.

At the premiere, Townshend, 54, took the risk of putting a rock band -- 
without a drummer -- in front of the 28-piece London Chamber Orchestra, and 
interspersing both with poetry, for a show that had seen only two weeks' 
practice.

Townshend apologized for what he felt was an unrehearsed performance, but 
the 1,500 fans clapped, cheered and screamed as he sang "Baba O'Riley," 
"Behind Blue Eyes," and "Won't Get Fooled Again."

Goderson said Townshend's goal was to take "Lifehouse," which was playing 
again at Sadler's Wells on Saturday, to a much wider audience:

"It seemed to us that the best way to do this would be to webcast rather 
than go the traditional route by television or video."
- End of Article -

Has anyone herd about highlights of Lifehouse being released in stores? I 
think I recall reading an article on that too but I forget wher eI saw it.

Long Live Rock,
Brian Wright

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