Brian Kehew interview

[Brian Cady]

>From KETV-TV, Omaha
http://tinyurl.com/ynzksu 

Roadie Takes Stage With The Who 
Man Takes Spotlight After Years In Dark

OMAHA, Neb. -- The life of a rock-band's roadie includes plenty of time on stage -- usually in the dark or long before the crowd shows up -- but when a legendary rock band performed in Omaha on Thursday night, one roadie was in the spotlight.

The Who was in Omaha for the first time since the 1960s. On stage was a musician few fans have ever heard of, but he's proving that talent and timing are everything.

Along with band mainstay Pete Townshen and Roger Daltrey, there was Brian Kehew. Who?

"I've been around for five years, so they know me as a face and friend. When they turn around on stage and see someone they recognize, it's much more comfortable than someone didn't know about before," Kehew said.

John "Rabbit" Bundrick had to take time off the tour to be with his wife, who is battling cancer. Kehew's assignment on the tour is usually to just set up keyboards and fix them when they break.

As it turns out, the 42-year-old can also play those keyboards.

"My initial preparation came -- I had two days to learn the show. I had never even sat down to play it before. I never really thought to do it or practice the music," Kehew said. "It was just sitting down with the chords and the parts, cramming, like you do for a school exam. And getting ready to play the first shows in my hometown of LA."

He's a studio musician and a collector of vintage instruments. For the foreseeable future, he's also a member of The Who.

"They're very supportive people. They don't tell you how you have to do your job. They allow you to do what you do," Kehew said. "They've always been famous for putting on a good, sweaty rock-and-roll thing no matter where they are or what the setups."

Stardom hasn't gone to his head. When he's finished playing the keyboards, he tears down the set and packs them up, then puts everything back together in a new city the next night.

"I've been doing that job and I'm used to it, and the difference is that two-hour period in the middle when I get to go up and play, too," Kehew said.

He said it is an opportunity he can't explain in words.

Kehew will play keyboards for the tour as long as they need him. He's played 18 shows so far.

-Brian in Atlanta 
The Who This Month! 
http://www.thewhothismonth.com


 
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