thoughts on Pete's recent post

[Jason Hare <hare@optonline.net>]

So I just finished reading Pete's "What if...." post on his website. 
I found it especially interesting in comparison to the recent talk 
we've had on IGTC about the way Pete treats Roger on-stage. 
Unfortunately, now we've gotten a pretty clear glimpse about how he 
is treated off-stage.

I find it childish and ridiculous that Pete has placed the entirety 
of the blame of "The Who" on Roger Daltrey.  I also find it unfair 
that Pete has to tell stories about Keith Altham in order to set us 
up for what he describes as "Roger's desire to influence and control 
everything that has the word 'rock' in it."

Some people will read this message and glean from it two things:

1) The Who are (possibly) going into the studio.
2) The Who are touring again.

I'm looking forward to seeing them again (with the same setlist, of 
course), mainly because I know Pete will post something later on that 
contradicts everything he just said here.  But I have a very sour 
taste in my mouth thinking about Pete's desire to put Roger down, 
especially in a forum where Roger has no chance to defend himself. 
Of course, part of it is exciting because the love-hate relationship 
with Roger is what The Who is all about.

The Boy Who Heard Music sounds like an interesting concept.  Perhaps 
it will be great.  Maybe not.  I think we should place bets to see 
when it is actually released.

This phrase stuck with me:  "But I often think about that life I 
could have had - had I not been swept along by the early success of 
Roger Daltrey's wonderful post-school band."

Pete makes it sound like it was all Roger's fault that he joined the 
Who and did what he did.  Pete, honestly, for God's sake- if you 
aren't happy, get off the bus.  I can deal with not seeing The Who 
again.  Really.  I'd rather you do what it is that YOU want to do (if 
you know what that is) than let us all know that you are continuing 
with The Who grudgingly.  Nobody controls what YOU do but YOU.

(sigh) I'd much rather Pete take this bitching session and make an 
angry wonderful rock song out of it.  I bet you could place it on Who 
By Numbers and it'd fit right in.

Anyway....have a very Merry Christmas everyone, and my best wishes 
for a happy and healthy 2002.

Jason