Buy a Poster/Programme and make a Donation for John Davis

[Jonpywell]

The Organisers of the 2006 Who convention are making the Posters and  
Programmes from the convention available as a tribute to Artist and  
fellow Who fan John Davis. Sadly on Sunday 23rd July John died as the  
result of a car accident. The cover of the programme and the posters  
that accompanied them were designed for us by John. See below for  
John's explanation of the imagery used in his painting.

All profits from the sale of these programmes will be donated to the  
Swindon Air Ambulance who tried in vain to save John's life. So all you  
Who fans out there please take time off from debating the new Who songs  
and buying tickets to your next gig, and spare a moment to think of one  
of our own. By purchasing this fine piece of Who memorabilia you will  
not only own a fine piece of Who artwork you will be donating some cash  
to a worthy cause. RIP John, You will be missed.

These are the official Limited Edition Programmes and Posters as sold  
at the Who Convention held at the Bush Hall in Shepherds Bush on April  
1st. The highlight of which was the surprise appearance of Roger  
Daltrey who made a short speech and played 2 songs with Simon Townshend  
( Substitute and Behind Blue Eyes). Each 48 page Programme is of high  
quality, individually numbered and features a Foreword by Roger Daltrey  
as well as an introduction by Pete Townshend. The cover is a design by  
artist John Davis whose work appears in 'The Decade of The Who' book.  
There are also articles by Who associates including Irish Jack Lyons,  
Cy Langston, Doug Sandom etc, as well as many unseen photos. There are  
also features on the bands that appeared on the day inc Who's Who, The  
Wholigans and Casbah Club. These are the last few remaining and are  
being sold by the Convention Organisers, all profits will go to The  
Swindon Air Ambulance. GET ONE WHILE YOU CAN!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? 
ViewItem&ih=007&item=170013814711&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? 
ViewItem&ih=007&item=170013820648&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

The main design is based on the drumhead logo of the sixties. The  
perspective lines to the bases of the "Ben-Hur" style lettering are  
suggested by the seventies/eighties laser beams. The twin cherubs are  
redrawn as baroque plaster decorations in reference to the architecture  
of Bush Hall. The "The" in "The 2006 WHO Convention" is from the free  
poster for "The Who Sell Out". The arrow on the "O" of "WHO" is of  
course in reference to the correct way of presenting their name. (For  
interest, the symbol is a mediaeval one representing the shield and  
spear of Mars. Not only did it stand for the planet, but also for the  
metal iron, as well as masculinity. It also expresses the astrological  
character of Mars as Solar and ascending.) The number 2006 is based on  
four "Circles". The pier in the background is not precisely any  
particular one, it was constructed from details of the one in the  
original "Quadrophenia" booklet, but the reference is naturally to the  
seaside/mod ideas well-known to Who fans. The sea itself carries the  
mystical overtones derived from eastern philosophy which was the real  
driving forc behind the images in Quad and other Townshend works. The  
members of the Who themselves are represented, two in heaven, two on  
earth, by four creatures, though not necessarily the ones I usually  
used. John's is the three starred belt of Orion because a similar  
device appears on his family's arms, and because of a connection  
between "The Ox" and that constellation. The Moon as you would expect  
is for Keith. "Birdman" Pete has a sea-bird while Piscean Roger, he of  
the fishing lakes and angling, has a jumping fish. The Who were  
represented in this oblique way because nowadays it's a bit of a  
problem to know exactly who The Who are, in the minds of each of those  
who would be attending the convention! The overall effect of the poster  
was inspired by 1930's travel posters, notably some for the Southern  
Railway promoting the merits of the South coast resorts, the dark,  
starry sky theme referred to deaf dumb, blind, but truly aware Tommy,  
and the lighted water in the background is meant to convey promise for  
the future, being a pre-sunrise effect (Although it's in the wrong  
direction for a south coast pier!). JOHN DAVIS 2006

Thanks to all of you Who fans who already bought 1 of these,  but hey  
buy another for yourself or a friend in remembrance of one of the most  
genuine and sincere person you could hope to meet.

Many Thanks

The 2006 Who Convention Organisers