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My Favorite Year Pt. 4



It seems sort of appropriate to me that the WHO would finish their tour at
the Garden.  It was the first place I ever saw them here in the US, and if
they never tour again (as I bite my tongue!) it will have been the last.
The cost of attending these shows had me scrambling for money;  I was
working 7 days a week, driving almost every night after working all day and
then driving sometimes 8 hours on Saturday, and then about 12 hours on
Sunday.  It usually takes me about 20 minutes or so to decide whether the
passenger gets to hear why I work as hard as I do.  Some of them, once I
explained, were completely fascinated, and asked many questions.  A few were
so impressed, they increased their tip just to help my cause!  Anyway, once
I decided I
really wanted to spend the money on all 4 shows, I was quite focused, and
just counting the days until October 3rd.

MSG - 1st night
I left this show going "oh no!"  Isn't that odd?  This was one of those
shows that came across to me that was one of "The Pete Townshend Shows"....a
phrase we use when we are discussing the amount of almost palatable
alienation that emanates from Pete when he is treating the others as his
backup band.  It
seems he doesn't look at anyone for cues; continues on playing extended
ending-type jams until the rest of the band appears positively bored or
frustrated or both.  If any of you have seen this show, and do not see what
I saw, that does not surprise me.  This is my own perception...none of this
is stated as fact.  But this felt like one of those shows, and the 2 very
dedicated WHO fans I was with that night saw the same thing I did.  In a way
I wasn't that surprised...Pete considers NY his 'home away from home' and
then I found out later that his girlfriend was there (I have yet to figure
out if that really has anything to do with it, but I am leaning towards
yes).  The performance was not lacking in energy, it is just distracting for
me when PT does this act.  It reminded me of the crankiness we saw at
Chicago HOB -obvious for anyone who watched the grimacing and indifference.
At least he didn't
scream at us all to fuck off and die (you know, he might have, my seat was
way off to Johns side, first level up!) like he did later at Glasgow.
HIGHLIGHTS:  The WHO at the Garden, again, finally.  All the nice folks at
the Molly Wee.
BUMMERS: Feeling horrified that the next 3 shows may be the same!  All that
money!!!!  We had booked a Behind The Scenes tour for this date hoping a
nice stroll through that fascinating and forbidden area of backstage would
put us in the right place at the right time and we would get to see the
guys.  The tour was cancelled that day when we went to the office.  They
had no time to notify us because it was just announced at 1 pm that there
would be no
tours.  We sat at the Molly Wee for 4 hours and I got drunk as a skunk.

MSG -  2nd night
Much to my relief, there seemed to be an attitude adjustment on Pete's part
and this show, to me, was the best of the bunch.  The last night was great
as well, but this one was my favorite.  I would have enjoyed it lots more if
security was less 'attentive', but what can one do?  I was in the same
section 3 nights in a row, and after the first night, when the one security
guard we'll call Nerd Man,  was convinced I would start a riot with my
unwillingness to sit down and just behave myself, I was a moving target.
With profuse apologies to all those behind me who were too fucking lazy to
stand, I must explain that
I cannot sit for a WHO show.  That would be my demise.  If you would like to
sit as though you
were watching TV, please FUCKING GO HOME AND DO SO!  Thank you.
"OOH, A stage....A stage in New York City....what a terrible accident....."
was the classic opening line, and at once Can't Explain grooved into
Substitute and we were off.  Pete stated he'd used the 'pick like a violin
bow' at the beginning of AAA...which really had me chuckling, considering JP
wasn't there to claim that was his gig!  I always marvel at Pete's
insecurity.  There is no end to it.....it is so exhausting.
At this point in the show (AAA), I have been noticing how Zak's work has
been taking shape; he has his first real workout in this song.  As
much as I love Keith to this day, I must say Zak is the best drummer for the
WHO at this point in their career.   I really love Zak.  It surprises me.
After the show Friday evening, he signs my WHO Live book....I humbly thank
him.  I have a huge lump in my throat as I whisper to him that while I love
him because he is a great drummer for the WHO, what I really appreciate is
that he helps me from missing Keith so much.  I ran away immediately after
that, so I cannot say what his expression might have been.  I can only hope
he understood.  This shows set list included the elusive Naked Eye.  My
friend Kathleen can't catch this song (one of her favorites) this tour to
save her life.  First
Mansfield MA and now NYC.  I keep telling her she needs to attend every
show....she doesn't believe me!!!  Can you imagine!?
My best shot (as low as it is) at attempting to convey the quality of Pete's
guitar playing at this show is I am willing to bet that his girlfriend ended
up wishing she wore underwear. (yikes, did I really post that?)
HIGHLIGHTS:  Naked Eye was unbelievable.  PT saying this show was something
he never thought he would ever do again.   "I hope you see what you expect
to see."
BUMMERS:  Having to drive home again.  I book my hotel for the weekend at
work the next day so I don't have to drive home for the two remaining shows.
It's a fairly quick drive (an hour and small change) but after seeing the
guys, anything
is work.  Even sleeping.

MSG  3rd night:
I knew something was up the second they hit the stage.  Turns out there was
a review in the Post that mocked their 'accent' as well as their age.  What
a shame that there can be 5 great reviews for each show and then one
sarcastic, unenlightened asshole can stab Pete in the soul.  When I realized
what happened, I felt like making photocopies of all the really really
wonderful reviews from the rest of the tour and sending them to PT's
dressing room.  But I figured it wouldn't matter anyway.  I have learned
something in 26 years.
HIGHLIGHTS: The WHO in NYC was starting (finally!) to sink in.  More nice
folks at the Molly Wee.  To me, All WHO fans are innocent until proven
guilty. I love meeting each one.  Until you prove unequivocally that you are
a complete butthead, we have the WHO in common and that is what matters most
to me.   Hanging out with Terry.  We were at 3 or 4 bars that night before
the show; couldn't tell you which ones!  Had a really great time though.
It's so great to have such a great friend who understands my WHO-ness.
Being able to tell the Nerd Man that I was someone else's problem tomorrow
night!!!!
BUMMERS:  No 'Bargain.'  That one fucked up review can have such an
influence on Pete's state of mind.  It was clear to me and to the rest of
the band that they were as loved as they ever were, maybe more.  It's sad to
think that is where the communication stops.  I hope someday he develops
some armour.  "It's only teenage wasteland!  Fuckoff!!!"  indeed.

MSG 4th night:
Ahhh, back to 'normal'.....and Bargain to boot!  On Thursday the 2nd Terry
calls me and says "You know that there is a front row seat for Saturday on
Ticketmaster, don't you?"  Well, no, Terry I did not know that.  What the
hell am I supposed to do with the ticket I already have?  "well, does it say
"Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes on it?"  Yup.  "Well, return it."  I can do
that?  "Oh yeah.  Any ticket that says JP on it is accepted as a valid
return due to the cancellations."  YIKES!!!!!  God did I scramble for a
better seat for Friday!  I could only find a better one for Saturday,
though....the second chair from the end of the row, in the very front on
John's side.  So that is what I did.  I was, of course, shoved out of the
way by what I consider to be a "casual fan" right as the band came on....I
was standing in front of 'her' seat, you see.....by the end of the show she
was sitting down (in the front row....sitting down in the front row....how
fucking SAD...looking at her watch, no less) waiting to leave....but that
did not make a difference at the beginning - there I was in front of her
chair and fuck me if I wasn't out of line.  When I think of all of the folks
that are reading this, that actually really and truly DESERVED that seat, I
could cry.  But take heart, my friends, I was there....I paid our tribute as
best I could.  I danced,  I sang every word,  I smiled so much my face hurt
and my braces (!) tore into my mouth....I tried to convey, for each and
every one of you, how much we love them,  what they mean to us, what this
tour means to us, how they have changed our lives, the joy and light we feel
in our hearts because of them....I really really tried to be an adequate
representative of all of these things for those of you who couldn't be
there, who weren't close enough for the band to see  your expressions.
Everytime I see them, I think of all the people who weren't there who really
really wanted to be.  I will always remember what it was like to be one of
those people.
HIGHLIGHTS:  THE WHO LIVE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN NEW YORK CITY.
BUMMERS:  Again, another last night of a tour.  Always so painful.  I
wouldn't let Terry go back to the room.  I delayed it as much as I could.
"Let's get drunk...let's get something to eat...'  you name it.  I thank God
for his tolerance, understanding and friendship.

We're almost there, kids, hang on.  The end is coming!  2 shows in
Glasgow......finale.....

jacqueline