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A year ago today, the Thunder ended



A day I will never forget, the day my earth stood still, numbed, shocked, 
devastated. No tears John at first, just disbelief. Then the tears came, the 
release of emotion and grief, Why? Why? No time is ever right, but not now? Of all 
times why now? 

I sat and read post after post after post as your fans began to hear news of 
the tragedy, not wanting to sleep, I would stay awake most day and night, 
reading, reading and still disbelieving. I could not bring myself to play anything 
aside from your music, 'Too Late The Hero', over and over again, each word of 
its lyrics cutting deep into my heart, and a scar remains that I fear will 
never heal. 

The shock fades and the recalling of such wonderful times in your company 
come flooding back, those times since 1979 where I first witnessed your purest 
majesty and mastery of the Bass Guitar, untouchable John, never equalled now or 
ever. The 'Quiet One?' a gentle giant! The strongest of all The Who, its 
anchor, its core, its driving force, strong and steadfast, The OX. 

John you are loved, sorely missed and mourned deeply by family, friends, fans 
and of course Pete, Roger, Zak and Rabbit, the left side of the stage is 
empty now, an empty space, that for me, will in memory always have standing the 
Worlds Greatest ever Bass player. I recently read how Roger at the end of a 
show, extended his arm to your side of the stage, as in all Who shows to bring you 
stage centre, with himself and Pete, all these years of doing this, and Roger 
is again hit by the painful truth, how heartbreaking this must of been for 
Roger, it is a poignant reminder for me of how intrinsically important you were 
to the heart of the band. 

Speaking to a good friend recently John, we reflected on how with Keiths 
death, we were both to young to realise the impact of his passing, we knew it 
happened and it meant something of course, but this hurts John, for us both, your 
passing is our 'Keith Moon' moment, it is real and painful. I can reflect on 
25 years of you being in my life, and now you have gone, your memory will 
always be carried in my heart, your music will always be one of the most important 
things in my life, but to sit here now and try to accept that I will never 
again see you with The Who, just will not and wont sink in. 

How much I miss you John. 

'Its the end of your Movie' 

Andrew Rees

"As you can see, an encore is impossible.
  We have drums everywhere. As they go to the dressing room, 
   please say an incredible thank you to The Who."
                                                   Compare Jeff Dexter The 
Oval 18/9/71