The 'French Grasshopper' Interview

[Kevin and Tania O'Neal]

>Scott Schrade
>The 'French Grasshopper' Interview
>
>> unfair that entwistle had to die first and THEN give pete
>> the inspiration to go ahead with a new who album as
>> oppose to releasing one, say, in 2002 or 2001.
>
>I agree, Ernie.

Oh brother.
First of all, Pete has stated that TBWHM was what gave him his inspiration.

>Bottom line is Pete waited until after John
>had died to make a new studio record.

Jesus, Scott.
You make it sound like Pete was sitting there checking his watch, waiting 
for John to kick the bucket.
The facts, on the other hand, show that there was ample talk of a new album 
well before John died.
No one knew John was close to death.
The facts, and also Pete's own diary entries, show that once Pete heard that 
John and Roger were writing songs, he began to work on songs himself.....for 
a new album.
Oh, I guess he was going to hold onto all that until John left.
Moooo-hoo-hooo-ha-ha.  "When will that fucker John kick off already so I can 
release my genius on the world!"

>Nineteen years
>wasted (1983 - 2002) because Pete couldn't get his mental
>shit together.

Well, how perfect is *your* life, eh?
I'm amazed that you hold Pete to this higher standard than we ourselves can 
even achieve.
I thought it was all over in '82.
Then, we got '89.  I thought it was *really* over then.
Then, like a miracle we get Quad in '96 and life progressed them along to 
where they came out in 2000 with the most ferocious tour since the early 
70's.
Then there was talk of a new album.
But first let's tour and warm up.
Then.....the unexpected.

Yes, nineteen years wasted because Pete couldn't get his mental shit 
together.
To quote your own Ohio legislator.....Balderdash!

Pete didn't owe you anything.
Nothing.
These are people trying to get along and make music....for them....not for 
you or me.
I dare say you have absolutely no idea of the sorts of pressures, 
considerations, decision, and anguish that Pete has been through.
None of us do.
But, as a human, you owe another human the respect to allow him to make his 
own decisions, and have valid reasons for doing so.

>Maybe we should make the anniversary of Entwistle's death
>a celebration, because it freed The Master & provided him
>the comfort to work on a studio project with Daltrey again.

When did you become such a Pete hater?
When did you start thinking that Pete works for us?

>Another bottom line is that the live shows & studio output
>are weaker without Entwistle.  Pete may not want to allow
>that fact into his swelled head....but it's true.

No shit!
And, that's Pete's fault?
And you don't think Pete knows this?
You don't think Pete misses John's genius?
Give me some evidence to hold onto.
Instead, now you sentence Pete to sitting in a rocker because John is dead?
Who Are You?

Hell, going to Who shows is more fun when *you're* there.
Should we have been pissed at you because you didn't make Boston?
A strange analogy, I'll admit, but damn....it makes about as much sense.

>Who fans missed out on a bunch of fine musical dining be-
>cause of Pete's schizophrenic fickleness.

You don't know that.
Are you so positive that just because John is living that Pete wouldn't have 
used TBWHM to formulate this album?
Are you saying John would have forced a "rowdier" album?
Face Dances wasn't harder, or rocked heavier, or was rowdier.
It's Hard wasn't either.
And, John was there.

>Instead, we got
>the warmed up Stouffer's frozen dinner that is ENDLESS
>WIRE.

Face it, you're vastly in the minority.
You, Ernie, and Jimthewhofan.
And Jim actually likes it.
I'm sorry you're not into it, but your critique isn't fair.
I love the album.
It's a very good album.
It's just not what you expected or wanted.
I'd argue that you kept your expectations and wants too narrow.
Pete has been known for pushing the envelope on more than one occasion.

>Yippee.  Long live The Who.

What ever.

Kevin in VT