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Re: A different bomb



>That would be interesting, and fun to have a bit of music that Pete 
>Townshend (and his computer) composed especially for you."
>
>I was thinking about The Lifehouse Experiment that Pete talked about around 
>the time of the Lifehouse concerts in 2000.  He said he was trying to get 
>sponsorship from Gateway Computers, but the time ran out and the sponsor 
>pulled out as well.  Now I'm thinking this idea may have morphed into The 
>Who as the proper vehicle for Pete's art (aka brain farts).

Now he's done it.  (Brain farts.)  Heheh.  ;)

Back in 2000, Pete was thinking about custom software that cost zillions of 
dollars, so he needed a sponsor.  And of course, anybody he talked to about 
the programming really stuck it to him because he's Pete Townshend and 
they're thinking Lifehouse has a big $$ potential.  But maybe Pete had 
stringent requirements or something.

It's hard to tell what it is he wants, but I don't think it's to use The Who 
as a vehicle for Lifehouse.  The Who shows were what originally gave him the 
idea, but now I gather he wants to mechanically digitize the fans so he can 
put them together and listen to them all in one grand composition.  And of 
course he's hoping for the One Note rather than a million voices screaming.  
;)


>Are we in error here?  Should we be out seeking for real life experiences 
>instead?"
>
>I have given this a great deal of thought.  I don't think *I* am in error. 
>I think this grid experience (as Who fans) has led to great life 
>experience.

Yup, pretty interesting.


>There is a dark side to this discussion and fans "coming together" IMHO.  
>We have a kind of co-dependent enabler feel here sometimes.  If one 
>indulges one's obsession in the company of other obsessives, it doesn't 
>*seem* unhealthy.  That doesn't mean that it is healthy.  I'm not so afraid 
>of becoming an internet couch potato as I am afraid of heading out to see 
>shows to the detriment of my real-life responsibilities.

Or tinking away at the computer while your family has fun in another room?  
You're right that the excitement is catching, though.  All the UK fans are 
purring away about their tix, and of course I want to get some, too.  
Nevermind that it's an eight to twelve hour trip and a thousand dollars or 
so!


>He can rely on The Who's magic; it still works to bring fans together in a 
>grand assembly so he can meet them face to face."
>
>In other words, he and The Who are doing a Lifehouse Experiment?

No, I think that part of it's done.  It works, and he knows it works.  I 
think he just wants to get a better grip on the audience.  It's a nice, 
romantic idea to put your stats in a computer and get a personalized tune 
out of it, but I'm thinking it will be all jangly and unmusical.  Pete's 
channelings of the cultural consciousness and The Who's response to the fans 
at the shows will always be more in tune.


>"If they do a tour of university towns this time, Pete may well come up 
>with some lyrics that express the concerns of younger fans."
>
>At the risk of sounding like AEB, I must say the university tour was one of 
>the dumber things I've seen Roger say.  That is inconceivable to me.

The basic idea is a good one--that is to see if they can draw some younger 
fans at the right venue, but there are some definite drawbacks, not the 
least of which is that the kids would have to fight older fans for the tix.  
Do bands still actually play at colleges and universities, BTW?  Or do they 
just play college towns?


keets

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