Juliet gardside's article on 60s icons

[Sroundtable@aol.com]

> Pete Townshend is decades beyond the deadline he
> imposed on himself when he
> wrote My Generation. The immortal line 'Hope I die
> before I get old' has
> returned to haunt The Who each time the ageing rockers
> release a new song
> or, as they are preparing to do, set off on another
> farewell tour.
> 


I think the writer of this article needs a little music clinic.  First of 
all, this is not  "another farewell tour."  Nowhere has anyone associated 
with the Who stated that this is a farewell tour.  She hasn't heard the plans 
for a new studio album and the subsequent tour that likely would follow?  
Secondly, the line "hope I die before I get old" is interpreted WAY to 
literally by FAR too many music critics and writers.  The term "old," i 
believe, refers to an attitude and state of mind.  There are many people of 
an advanced age, whom I would certainly not consider old when it comes to 
attitude.  I don't think Pete Townshend's state of mind is old, at all.  Just 
watch him perform and that myth is dispelled.  Now, mccartney IMHO does come 
off as old.  At CFNYC his personna was not one of a rock musician, but of 
someone's uncle.  The Stones, IMHO, have really sold out.  Proof: that stupid 
orange blimp with their logo on the side and all of them actually riding in 
it.  UGH!!!!  Publicity can be done without disgracing the tradition of rock 
and roll with a goddamn blimp.  Sorry if I have offended.  It's just an 
opinion.  I'm very happy the Who would never stoop to such depths to promote 
themselves (though i agree with many of you that they need to promote their 
tours better- TV, radio, talk show interviews, etc.).  My impression of the 
Stones is that they continue to over-compensate for their age by purposely 
acting young, and it doesn't really play IMO.  I would, however, pay to see 
them because they still play great music.  Won't mick and keith be relieved.

mc