RE: What was up with Boston?

["Karyn Oconnor" <koconnor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi folks,

I have a theory as to why the Boston show was a bit of a disappointment and
a little "off".  I think that Boston was the first show that Pete and Roger
realized that John would never join them on stage again.  I believe that
they were still in a state of shock and numbness on the west coast and the
permanent absence of John hadn't quite set in.  Sort of like John was just
on a little vacation.  Then after the west coast shows, they returned to
England for the funeral and rehearsals with Pino and the reality began to
hit home.  Even Matt said on the website that the break wasn't much of a
break with funeral ceremonies and rehearsals to attend to.

Thankfully they're returning to Boston at the end of September!  The New
England Patriots win the Superbowl and The Who play in MA twice in one year.
If this is a dream, then don't wake me up!  Now, what can be done about
those Red Sox?......

Finally, many thanks to the fine folks on this list that I met at George's
truck before the show.  Jeff and Melanie, Lela, George, Kevin, Stu, Phil,
Shaun, Jeff and Julia, Jon, Scott and others, sorry about forgetting all the
names!  A very nice group indeed!  Hope to see you all again at the end of
September.

Karyn, one grateful Who fan in MA


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-thewho@igtc.com [mailto:owner-thewho@igtc.com]On Behalf Of
O'Neal, Kevin W.
Sent: Monday, August 05, 2002 3:55 PM
To: 'thewho@igtc.com'
Subject: What was up with Boston?


	>From: Keithjmoon70@xxxxxxx
	>Subject: Re: Who fandom at an ebb ???? Not this fan.

>>  I thought Boston was off.
>
>I would say it was probably because it was the first show after a layoff.

Definitely one of the reasons we came up with as well.
At the time, we thought that's just how it's going to be now.  Not a good
thought, but glad to have that disproved at Camden and Hershey.
I really think the breaking news the night before, of cocaine involvement,
had an impact.
You could almost see it in the way Pete talked to the crowd.  Kind of
like.."don't quite know how to handle this one or how to talk to you about
it.  And really I shouldn't have to say a fucking thing....so I won't."  It
caused an overall withdrawal on a certain level that perhaps only seasoned
fans could really pick up.  It stood out to me because I went in looking to
have questions answered, obviously, since it was my first show since John's
departure of the building.

>I noticed a change midway through.

What you mean?

>Hey, they are 57 and 58!

Yep!  Gives us something to shoot for!!!

> I go to have a blast and that I did.

I do the same.  But, I really didn't know what we'd find.  I went in with a
completely open mind.
Cautious, but open.  I knew I was going to have to come to grips with John's
absence.  Dealt pretty quickly with not seeing John, and then tried to
concentrate on the sound. EF really drove it home how badly John was missed.
But, again, the bass was turned down really low.

>My neck and right shoulder is still sore!

You were getting off, boy!!!!!!!!!
Thought you were going to pull the railing down!

Kevin in VT