Re: The Who Mailing List Digest V7 #350

[Nelson9792@aol.com]

Oh puh-leez…..While I much prefer The Who to Rush, I think it is a bit 
presumptuous to suggest that Rush fans only give a "surface listen" to the 
music and that EVERYONE accepts that the "The Who are easily the superior 
band."  The Who are my favorite band and Rush is more of a second tier group 
for me, but I have seen Rush several times and would go see them again any 
time they tour.  A few years ago I was on a Rush list similar to this one and 
I can assure you that the Rush fans do not merely give a "surface listen."  
On the contrary, they scrutinize every beat, note and lyric more than anyone 
else I’ve read.  A close friend of mine who has a rather impressive and 
exhaustive Who collection and has seen them many times, including several 
long distance treks, ranks Rush as high or higher than The Who for himself.  
The Rush fans also generally tend have more respect for The Who than I’ve 
seen Rush get here.  There seems to be a certain strain of Who fans who are 
strangely contemptuous of some generally respectable rock bands (Zeppelin, 
Sabbath, Rush, Stones, Floyd, etc.…).  With all the crappy "Boy Bands" 
dominating the scene, these seem like peculiar "enemies."  Does it not stand 
to reason that those of us who are drawn to The Who’s musicianship might also 
enjoy Geddy Lee’s bass playing or Neil Peart’s drumming?  I agree that Who 
fans generally have high standards, buy Geddy is a good bass player, Alex is 
a good guitarist, Neil is a good drummer and a clever,  intelligent lyricist. 
 In a Who vs. Rush decision it has less to do with standards than merely 
preference.

….And then trying to draw absolute parallels between band loyalty and 
political preference is a spurious notion.  I can certainly appreciate that 
someone might prefer one candidate to another (though why people feel 
compelled to preach about that here is beyond me…), but I cannot understand 
how anyone can see one candidate as a saint and another  so contemptible to 
go around grumbling about it so much.  I have been fairly content under 
Bush’s governorship (although I voted for Harry Browne).  Why is it so 
incomprehensible to vote for the guy who will "leave you alone the most?"  Al 
Gore’s first act as VP was to cast the tie-breaking vote in the senate in 
favor of the largest tax increase in the nation’s history.  I don’t recall 
favoring bigger government and higher taxes as being a prerequisite for being 
a Who fan.

Mikey

In a message dated 00-12-30 00:57:16 EST, you write:

<< I've been thinking about it, and to me it seems that Bush is like (the 
band)
 Rush and Gore is like The Who. Some people think there's little difference,
 but only if they give a surface listen and no more...some think Rush
 provides depth and intelligence in their music, but the more intellectual
 music fans see The Who as the clear winner here. Rush is generally more well
 known and you hear their music on the radio more...but it's accepted The Who
 are easily the superior band. The Who inspires and Rush was inspired. The
 Who have contributed greatly to Rock music, and Rush has made a lot of money
 with Rock music.
 I guess it has to do with one's standards. >>