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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