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Are the Who important?



	 >From: "L. Bird"  
	>Subject: Are the Who important? 
>Has anyone been following the recent discussion on O&S?  Someone asked if 
>The Who are "important," and I don't think the list really came up with a 
>good definition of what important means before launching into the 
>discussion.
>
>Do any listers here have any comments?  What defines important?

Yes!
I had been following that discussion.  A good quality exchange for a bit
there, and then it kind of fizzled into squabbling.
The very valid need of defining what "important" means was not achieved.

To me, with out having put a whole bunch of thought into it (I'm kind of
preoccupied with another Who related topic that I haven't posted on yet.
It's pretty intense and really has more to do with English music/pop/punk,
etc....  more later...or soon) I see important as:
music that serves a function.  Kind of in the same way that Grunge was
important in the Mid-90's as an expression of Generation X's discontent with
their future (or lack there of).  Also in the same way that music was *VERY*
important back in the late 60's as a clear reflection of what our society
was going through.
Right now, music has no import (Import like how Janice used import...."great
political import").  I can't even say that it's a reflection of our society,
but then again, it must be by definition.  
So, what does that say about our society? Violent?  Brainless/feelgood?
With this definition in mind, I can't say that The Who is
"important".....yet.
Your point that they were important at CFNYC is valid, in that they
expressed and reflected this countries anger.
Are The Who important to music now?  They are important to rock, in that
they are carrying the "rock torch" all by themselves at the moment, and
may.....just may succeed in placing rock back into the main limelight of
music.  If they do this,..... via another successful tour, a new album with
a powerful message, and then a successful follow up tour for that new album,
I would definitely say The Who is important to music.
A bunch of "ifs", and no new information coming out of The Who's camp.
Man, I miss Pete's diaries.

Stay in tune,
Kevin in VT