Re: My JAE Experience

[BCWHONET@aol.com]

Sunday night was an incredible experience for me and my band mates from Who's 
Next. For those people who were disappointed for the lack of guest stars, or 
even a Roger or Pete appearance I understand. We were NOT the guest stars 
that night, we
were just lucky enough to experience a life long dream. 

First off I would like to thank Steve and Godfrey and especially John for 
ultimately it was his choice which made this happen. Few months back I had 
the opportunity to spend hours with John talking about past WHO stories and 
Keith insanity. His kindness and willingness to talk about the past just 
showed to me how much he really cares. I mentioned to him (joking ) " if you 
ever need work we can use a good John Entwistle bass player for our band, In 
fact you kind of look like him a bit only with some gray hair." His response, 
laughing," how much does it pay" I told John "You have to play with us one 
day." After leaving that night I imagined how sick it would be, never 
thinking that it might actually happen.

The way this came about Sunday happened so quick and unplanned. I brought 
down my guitar knowing that there might be a chance at the end of the night 
to jump on stage with a bunch of musicians jamming some tunes. Bobby our 
drummer and Dave our singer didn't even plan on coming. It turns out we were 
all there. After an incredible performance by the JAE band I went back stage 
to talk to Steve and Godfrey. At that moment they were figuring out what to 
play with who. I asked Steve if we can do a song, he said yeah. At first they 
were going to have us play with another bass player. I said "No, it has to be 
John." Steve said, John is in the dressing room if you want talk to him. 
That's when I just walked in and said, " Can't Explain right now!!!" He 
looked at me confused I said "We know all the songs just be able to keep up 
with us" He then replies, " No, Can't Explain is to boring how about 
Substitute" I then realized I just convinced, (with some help from Gigi) the 
greatest bass player in the world to play with us. Ten minutes later I found 
myself on stage with John and my band mates Bobby and Dave. ( also Chris 
Clark from JAE band playing boards). I told the crowd that this was a 
privilege and a dream come true for the three of us. I then launched into the 
opening chords to Substitute. Throughout the song I would glance to my right 
to make sure that this was really happening. After the song ended John made a 
comment regarding my # 3 gold top Les Paul. I don't recall exactly what he 
said but something about looking like Pete's guitar.

 At that point I didn't want to leave the stage... I then found my fingers 
playing the opening chords to Can't Explain  (I knew this would be risky 
because 15 minutes ago he said he didn't want to play it) I glanced over at 
John and we both smiled as he and Bobby both came in on que. I ended the song 
with a classic PT jump. In my head I was planning the up coming songs.... 
Dreaming From The Waist, Naked Eye, 5;15.... but then realized our time was 
done. I decided to take off my guitar and leave the stage. I went back stage 
to thank John again and we joked about Can't Explain, I said "You can't play 
one without the other, they go together." He stopped and said "Your right" 

In all it was a great evening. For the people who were there I thank you for 
the great support. I hope we didn't disappoint anybody. I know that there 
were some major who fans in attendance expecting something else.  I myself 
would have rather watched Daltrey or Towhshend take that stage instead of 
some tribute crap, but they weren't there, we were.

Bill Canell-   Who's Next