The Who This Month! logo

January 2002

New music releases: Drive - Alan Jackson; The Essential Barbra Streisand - Barbra Streisand; "Don't Know Why" - Norah Jones; A Walk to Remember: Music from the Motion Picture - Various Artists

On the 2nd, in a phone interview to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Pete Townshend calls rap "the only authentic form of neighborhood music we have left," and says he has made a commitment to go into the studio with The Who, a producer and a record contract in October 2002 to make a new Who album.

On the 12th, John Entwistle lands in Los Angeles for his last appearance at the NAMM International Music Market. He performs in a guest spot and later goes out to dinner with friends Joe Walsh and John Alcock. Both notice that John's hearing has severely deteriorated since they last saw him.

White City Teleplay

On the 14th, Pete posts the script to White City on his website.

Roger Q magazine 2002

Roger Daltrey pens captions to old Who and Roger photos for Q magazine. He says he was never serious about his solo career and, speaking about when Gary Glitter broke his eye socket in 1996, "if I'd known he was a nonce then, I would have killed him."

On the 16th, Pete posts a long diary message called A Different Bomb about the dangers of child pornography on the Internet. "When you are a child - possibly the victim of a war, maybe just an orphan or foster child - and sexual abuse follows, it could be said that what drops on you is '...a different bomb'. I believe that the internet is a latent bomb factory for the children of the future." After the blowup about his research on this issue in 2003, Pete is forced to stop plans to continue writing what was meant to be a exposé book and this document is all that is ever published.

On the 21st, Pete posts his 1967 U.S. Air Force ad on his website.



Pete Townshend guitar smash Jan 2003
Photo: Elaine

On the 23rd, The Who hold the first of their rehearsals for their upcoming shows that start on the 27th and 28th at Portsmouth Guildhall. William Topley is the supporting act. At the first show, Pete sends a Fender to its reward.
















Concert For NYC DVD

On the 29th, The Concert For New York, featuring The Who's performance from the previous October, is released on DVD.

The Who Watford 2002
Photo: Majik

On the 31st, The Who perform at Watford Town Hall. Before the show, Roger slags British pop mogul Simon Cowell to the press, calling him a "dreadful piece of crap who drags the music industry down whenever he rears his ugly fucking head." During the show, Pete makes reference to a lurid murder then a hot topic in the British tabloids by imitating hecklers and saying, "I'll put a marble down your throat." He later apologizes.

















February 2002

New music releases: Come Away With Me - Norah Jones; O - Damien Rice; The Essential Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash; "Anything Is Possible"/"Evergreen" - Will Young
The Who Royal Albert Hall 2002

On the 7th, The Who plus guests perform for the Teenage Cancer Trust at Royal Albert Hall with supporting act The Electric Soft Parade. Pete puts in a lackluster performance telling the audience several times that he's bored.

Pete Townshend falls off stage 2002

The following night at the same venue Pete is a bit more alert but a trifle unsteady. At one point he falls offstage. This show will be the last in John Entwistle's 37-year career with The Who.















Also on the 8th, Roger Daltrey tells The Sun that he had Mike Myers audition to play Keith Moon. Myers' publicist later denies it.

On the 9th, Roger is still on stage at the Royal Albert Hall but not with The Who. He joins Paul Weller's band to sing "I Can See For Miles."

On the 13th, Pete answers questions from fans in The Independent. He says "I don't want to go into the studio with The Who. Roger does."

On the 17th, Pete quietly updates a diary entry to say that the plan to turn Quadrophenia into an onstage musical "has ground to a halt."

On the 18th, Pete Townshend: Music From Lifehouse DVD: Music From Lifehouse, a video of his 2000 concert at Sadler's Wells, is released on DVD and VHS in the U.K. The U.S. release follows on the 26th. It is also available as a lower-res online download.

On the 23rd, Gordon Giltrap releases a two-CD best-of called Collection featuring John on bass on "Who Knows Where Tomorrow Goes."


March 2002

New music releases: "Complicated" - Avril Lavigne; A New Day Has Come - Celine Dion; Now That's What I Call Music! 51 (UK) - Various Artists; "Unchained Melody" - Gareth Gates
Pete Townshend, Peter Blake 2006

In the March issue of Mojo magazine, Pete picks artist Peter Blake, the man behind the Face Dances cover, as his personal hero.

On the 3rd, Ed Masley in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette votes The Who Sings My Generation the best debut album of all time.









On the 4th, Clarinex begins television advertising using the "Overture from Tommy" as music.

In Q magazine, Pete lists a February 3, 1966 show by a 15 year-old Stevie Wonder at the Scotch of St. James club as his favorite concert of all time.

Betty cartoon

Betty cartoon March 10.










Greg Forest Heavy Metal

On the 15th, The Halifax Daily News reports that artist Greg Forrest has installed a seven-piece bronze recreation of Keith Moon's drum kit after destruction, entitled "Heavy Metal," at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia's education gallery.

Roger Daltrey The Joint 2002

On the 18th, Roger gives a surprise performance at The Joint in Los Angeles backed by a band consisting of The Rolling Stones' backup singer Bernard Fowler, guitarists Waddy Wachtel and Jack Tempchin, drummer Phil Jones, bassist Rick Rosas and vocalist Terry Reid. Roger sings "The Kids Are Alright" and "Stand By Me." Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson are in the audience.

On the 20th, The Alex Skolnick Trio releases the CD Goodbye to Romance: Standards for a New Generation with a jazz trio cover of "Pinball Wizard".


April 2002

New music releases: Ashanti - Ashanti; No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems - Kenny Chesney; C'mon, C'mon - Sheryl Crow; Be Not Nobody - Vanessa Carlton
The Who 1997 rider

On the 1st, the website The Smoking Gun posts the backstage requirements for The Who during their 1996 North American tour.

On the 5th, Roger Daltrey attends Paul McCartney's concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Roger Daltrey Sunday Times 1997

On the 7th, The Sunday Times Home section has Roger on the cover in front of his own home.










Paul Chapman's Ghost

On the 18th, The CD Paul Chapman's Ghost by Paul Chapman is released featuring a cover of "Baba O'Riley."

On the 24th, an interview with Pete Townshend about Scooped and the re-release of My Generation appears in ICE magazine.

Roger Daltrey That 70s Show

On the 30th, Roger plays Mr. Wilkinson, a high school music teacher, on the 100th episode of That 70's Show. The series was originally to have been called either "Teenage Wasteland" or "The Kids Are Alright" but Pete refused to sell the rights to either name.


May 2002

New music releases: The Eminem Show - Eminem; "Without Me" - Eminem; "'Till I Collapse" - Eminem featuring Nate Dogg; "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" - Toby Keith
Chasing the Wind: A Quadrophenia Anthology

On the 1st, Gary Wharton puts out the book Chasing the Wind: A Quadrophenia Anthology, a guide to the film, the cast and the production of the 1979 cult classic.

On the 14th, Poison releases their CD Hollyweird featuring a cover of "Squeeze Box." On the same day Xero/G releases their CD Are You Weightless with a cover of "Baba O'Riley." Another cover of "Squeeze Box," this one by the country band McBride & The Ride, comes out on their CD Amarillo Sky.

Scooped

On the 21st, Redline Entertainment releases a two-CD compilation of the three Pete Townshend Scoop LP's called Scooped.


June 2002

New music releases: Let Go - Avril Lavigne; Songs About Jane - Maroon 5; Nellyville - Nelly; "By The Way" - Red Hot Chili Peppers

On the 6th, the boxset 30 Years of Maximum R&B receives Gold status from the RIAA.

On the 10th, The Who begin rehearsals for their 2002 North American tour, some of which are carried live on Pete's website. Some fans remark on the fact that John remains seated throughout the webcast rehearsals.

Ultimate Collection US

On the 11th, the U.S. version of The Who's Ultimate Collection is released on CD. It peaks at #31 on the Billboard charts.

David Bowie Heathen

Also on the 11th, David Bowie's new album Heathen is released including the song "Slow Burn" featuring one of the very best Pete Townshend guest guitar performances.






On the 15th, The Who conclude rehearsals playing "Who Are You," "Love Reign O'er Me" and "Bargain." It will be the last time Pete, Roger and John will perform together.

Anyway Anyhow Anywhere: The Complete Chronicle of the Who

On the 23rd, the first edition of Andy Neill and Matt Kent's exhaustive timeline book Anyway Anyhow Anywhere: The Complete Chronicle of the Who: 1958-1978 is published.

John Entwistle last photo
Photo: James Mac Leod

On the 26th, John arrives at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas where The Who are set to start their 2002 North American tour. He spends the afternoon shopping for Western wear and boots, then spends some time with friend Cy Langston and others at the hotel bar where his last picture is taken. Later that night he retires to Suite 658 with Déjà Vu Showgirls dancer Alycen Rowse. John warns her not to let him sleep on his back as so many of his friends have died that way choking on vomit. John dodges that fate but not the heart attack that kills him early in the morning. Alycen discovers John has died upon awakening at 10am on the 27th. She tries unsuccessfully to revive him, then calls Cy who arrives at noon and calls the coroner and members of The Who.

A weeping Roger visits Pete and leaves it to him what to do about the tour due to start the next day. After a night's thought, Pete decides to bring in expert session bassist Pino Palladino (White City, Psychoderelict tour and many, many other credits) to replace John and to start the tour by July. The news is almost as shocking to Who fans as John's passing. Journalists and many fans denounce the decision but Pete later explains that he felt the tour had to continue due to the large number of people who would suddenly be without employment if he cancelled the tour.

Flowers at the Hard Rock

Meanwhile grieving fans, some of whom had flown in from distant locations to attend the show, leave flowers and remembrances at the Hard Rock Hotel.
















July 2002

New music releases: By the Way - Red Hot Chili Peppers; "Cleanin' Out My Closet" - Eminem; Unleashed - Toby Keith; Heathen Chemistry - Oasis
The Who Hollywood Bowl 2002

On the 1st, The Who, or "The Two" as the press dubs them, begin their 2002 North American tour at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. A special photo montage is added to the end of the show in remembrance of John Entwistle. Top-rated session bassist Pino Palladino joins The Who as bassist-for-hire. Pete and Roger manage to get through the show but both later talk about how upset they were. Pete: "When I looked over there and he wasn't there, I wanted to die."

The Who The Gorge 2002
Photo: Hecktow

The tour continues on to the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California (3rd), the AutoWest Amphitheatre in Marysville, California (4th) and The Gorge in George, Washington (6th). At the last show, Pete smashes his guitar. It will be his last to date in the United States.

On the 9th, Bobby Bare, Jr. releases his CD Young Criminals Starvation League. One track, "Dig Down," begins with the lines, "This letter is addressed to Pete Townshend/Hey brother I write you to say thanks for nothin'/Your generation used up all the feelings/And if we rock it looks like we're ripping you off."

Pete and Roger at John's funeral

Having flown back to England, Roger and Pete attend John's funeral on the 10th, It is held at St. Edward's Church near his home in Stow-on-The-Wold, Cheltenham. As with Keith Moon, John is cremated.



The Who: The Movie

On the 13th, The Sun responds to reports that Mike Myers will play Keith Moon in a bio-pic by casting the rest of the roles for "The Who: The Movie." Their choices: Nicholas Cage as Pete, Sean Bean as Roger and Alan Rickman as John.

On the 15th, Noel Gallagher of Oasis tells the Belfast Telegraph that the night John died he felt the spirit of John was watching them perform "My Generation" on stage.




Ultimate Collection Gold award

Also on the 15th, The Who: The Ultimate Collection is awarded Gold status by the RIAA in the U.S.

On the 19th, Rolling Stone prints an interview with Pete where interviewer Chris Heath confronts Pete with claims by Doors publicist Danny Fields that they were "on-and-off boyfriends" in the late 1960's. Pete says he would like to meet Fields and ask him "What the fuck are you talking about? Please tell me."






On the 22nd, Roger plays a female fortune teller on his second episode of Witchblade entitled "Hierophant."

On the 23rd, The String Quartet releases their CD The String Quartet Tribute To The Who's "Tommy".

On the 25th, the coroner of Las Vegas announces his preliminary report that John's death was a massive heart attack brought on by cocaine use.

Roger reacts to bottle MSG 2002

The Who resume their North American tour on the 26th at the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts in Mansfield, Massachusetts. From there, they go to the Tweeter Center At The Waterfront in Camden, New Jersey (27th), Hershey Park Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania (29th) and begin a four-night stand at Madison Square Garden on the 31st. At the last date someone throws a full water bottle at Roger and hits him in the arm causing more than a few cross words from the singer.













On the 27th, The Sex Pistols perform an anti-jubilee concert in South London. They dedicate the song "Substitute" to the memory of John Entwistle.

On the 28th, Maxene, the second Mrs. Entwistle, sells her inside story on John and The Who to The Mail On Sunday. She tells them that John hated the others, he hated touring but had to because he was perpetually broke, he had to use the £1 million advance from the current tour to pay off gambling debts, Townshend hates Mick Jagger because he is so rich, none of the band like each other and never meet except to work and John had a huge drink and cocaine problem.


August 2002

New music releases: A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay; Home - The Chicks; Gotta Get Thru This - Daniel Bedingfield; Angels with Dirty Faces - Sugababes
The Who MSG Aug 1 2002
Photo: David Atlas

The Who continue their stand at New York's Madison Square Garden on the 1st, 3rd and 4th, then take another break.



















On the 6th, Eric Thompson releases his CD Manic + Organic featuring a cover of "I Can't Explain".

Maximum Who picture book

On the 8th, Genesis Publications put out their second expensive volume of Who photographs compiled by Ross Halfin, Maximum Who: The Who In The Sixties. This one concentrates on The Who's publicity photos.





Red London releases its CD The Soundtrack Of Our Lives featuring a cover of "The Kids Are Alright." Another release this month contains a re-write of "My Generation" called "Regeneration" from the Christian rock group Apologetix on their CD Grace Period.

Uncle Charlie Who poster Tinley Park 2002
Poster: Uncle Charlie

On the 23rd, The Who return to the U.S. for a show at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit. Starting with this show, soundboard CD's of the shows are sold as mementos over the Internet. The tour continues to the Tweeter Center in Tinley Park, Illinois (24th), the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Nobelsville, Indiana (25th), Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan (27th), the Polaris Amphitheatre in Columbus, Ohio (28th), the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey (30th) and at Tommy Hilfiger at Jones Beach Theatre in Wantagh, New York (31st).














My Generation Deluxe Edition

On the 27th, the long-awaited CD My Generation: Deluxe Edition double CD is released by MCA in the U.S. The Who's first album is taken from the surviving three-track tapes and is mixed into stereo by the original producer, Shel Talmy.

On the 30th, in an interview in The Times, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones has this to say about The Who continuing without John Entwistle: "...I was glad they carried on. It's real showbiz, like a vaudeville tradition. I find it intriguing that old 'trousers' Townshend and Daltrey still have a certain desire to get out there and do it. And good fucking luck, they're not shabby at what they do."


September 2002

New music releases: ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits - Elvis Presley; Forty Licks - The Rolling Stones; Busted - Busted; "Sk8er Boi" - Avril Lavigne

On the 3rd, MCA releases A Quick One in stereo. The CD contains 6 new stereo remixes from the multitrack tapes by Andy Macpherson and the remaining stereo tracks from the album come from the original master tapes mixed in 1966. Jon Astley remasters the album.

On the same day David West releases the latest in his bluegrass takes on rock music, Pickin' On The Who.

Di-rect Discover

On the 6th, Di-rect releases its CD Discover featuring a cover of "My Generation."

Banger Sisters soundtrack

The Shel Talmy stereo remix My Generation: Deluxe Edition is also released in Europe on the 6th on both double CD and vinyl. The next day, Roger has a new song out, "Child O' Mine" on the soundtrack to The Banger Sisters.














On the 11th, the Las Vegas coroner releases his final report on John Entwistle's death. He confirms that John suffered a heart attack after taking cocaine. His night's companion, stripper Alycen Rowse, remembers his last words as a request that she not let him sleep on his back since fellow rock stars Jimi Hendrix and John Bonham had died choking on vomit in their sleep.

On the 14th, The Who return to play the date at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas that had to be postponed after John died there. They then proceed to another postponed show, the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, California (15th), then the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles (17th) where a record is set with a gate of $795,000, the highest in the venue's history.

The Flaming Lips Are Taking Acid

On the 17th, The Flaming Lips release their CD Finally The Punk Rockers Are Taking Acid 1983-1988 with a bonus track cover of "Anyway, Anyhow Anywhere."











Also on the 17th, President Bush appears to quote The Who in a speech at the East Literature Magnet School in Nashville, Tennessee. "There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee -- that says, fool me once, shame on -- shame on you. Fool me -- you can't get fooled again."

Access Atlanta cartoon

On the 19th, Roger is quoted in the Dallas Morning News saying he is listening to Eminem's CD The Eminem Show and declaring it "genius."

The Who Fiddlers Green 2002

That evening The Who play at Fiddler's Green in Englewood, Colorado followed by American Airlines Center in Dallas (21st), the House of Blues in Chicago with opening act Pearl Jam as a benefit for Maryville Academy (23rd), the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota (24th), the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts in Mansfield, Massachusetts (27th) and the Air Canada Centre in Toronto (28th). Dates in St. Louis (22nd), Moline, Illinois (25th) and Cleveland (27th) are cancelled.








On the 23rd, CBS-TV premiers their first CSI: Crime Scene Investigation spin-off, CSI: Miami, this time using "Won't Get Fooled Again" as the theme. Star David Caruso's opening remark followed by Roger's scream will later become a popular meme on the Internet.

The Who special edition DVD EP

Also on the 23rd, a "special edition" DVD-EP is released with "Pinball Wizard," "I'm Free" and "See Me, Feel Me" from The Who's August 1969 Beat Club special for German television.

And again on the 23rd, Oasis release their single "Little By Little". The CD and 12-inch single versions include their Jan 2000 studio recording of "My Generation".

The Whotles

On the 25th, the Toronto Star comes up with the suggestion that, since The Who are missing their original bassist and drummer and Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr aren't doing much, why don't they combine into one band? Meet The Whotles!


October 2002

New music releases: "Lose Yourself" - Eminem; Stripped - Christina Aguilera; The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac; 8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture - Various Artists

On the 5th, The Hollywood Reporter reports that Pete Townshend has signed a global publishing deal with BMG. They will sub-publish his recent and new solo material, as well as much of the catalog of The Who and writers who sign with Pete's Eel Pie Publishing firm.

2002 Left for Live CD

On the 7th, The John Entwistle Band's Left For Live is released in the U.K. re-mastered by Eastworld Records.

On the 12th, Pete writes a long diary entry on the future of The Who: "What is The Who? It is a brand name, and two old guys called Roger and Pete. I think I'm going to stick with the two old guys and let the brand name look after itself."

On the 13th, Pete reposts his diary entry "A Different Bomb" about his personal investigation into Internet child pornography. He had intended to take down the entry but, "I just heard that another young woman who Double-O had put into treatment for depression and anxiety related to sexual abuse at the age of 8, had started drinking again. Sometimes this all feels so bloody futile. But I am determined to do my bit."

On the 17th, The U2 guitarist The Edge is quoted approving of The Who continuing with Pete and Roger: "...if they really think it's still happening, then I'm certainly not gonna second-guess them."

Also on the 17th, Roger Daltrey attends the launch of Stella McCartney's "Absolut Stella" ad campaign at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood. On the 23rd, he is interviewed on ITV's Today with Des and Mel.

Ultimate Collection UK CD

On the 21st, The Who: Ultimate Collection boxset is released in the U.K. It features a different cover from the U.S., plus five more songs than the U.S. and two CD-Rom videos. It peaks at #17.

Kurt Cobain Newsweek 2002

Also on the 21st, an unsent letter from Kurt Cobain to his fans is published in Newsweek. The letter concludes "Hope I die before I become Pete Townshend."











On the 24th, a memorial service for John is held at St. Martin In The Fields in London. Steve Luongo, John Hurt, Bill Curbishley and Matt Kent speak. Roger leads the church in "Boris The Spider."

On the 28th, Phish release the CD Live Phish 14: 10/31/95 Rosemont Horizon containing their live recording of Quadrophenia.


November 2002

New music releases: Up! - Shania Twain; Greatest Hits 1970-2002 - Elton John; Justified - Justin Timberlake; Escapology - Robbie Williams

On the 1st, The Sunday Times lists Pete in its annual rich list. Pete ties with Robbie Williams, Ronnie Wood and Jackie Collins for 62nd place among Britian's top earners at £10m worth. Roger places 106th at £6.5m tieing with Hugh Grant.

PTreviewKCobain

On the 3rd, Pete reviews Journals by Kurt Cobain for the Sunday Observer. "Read this book to see that the human spirit, even at its most sublime, can effect monumental damage on itself and its fellow souls if addiction enters the story. I mourn for Kurt. A once beautiful, then pathetic, lost and heroically stupid boy."

Roger Daltrey Brighton Walk of Fame
Photo: Jim Gordon

Also on the 3rd, Roger attends the ceremony opening the Brighton Walk Of Fame where he has a star.
















On the 11th, Pete is interviewed in Stuff magazine where he again denies rumors that he is gay. "I was talking about the fact that many of my friends have been gay, so the interviewer assumed I was coming out."

Roger Daltrey Fox Studios 2002

On the 14th, Roger performs at Fox Studios in Hollywood at the Fulfillment Fund's Stars 2002 benefit gala honoring Megan and Peter Chernin and Sheri and Les Biller.

Glitter Tune CD

The Japanese Mod band The Collectors release their album Glitter Tune containing the track "Mr. Gentle (Song For John Entwistle)".

On the 16th, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam talks to the Baltimore Sun about The Who continuing after John Entwistle's death. "I understand the people who criticize them for going on. But ultimately it's their choice, and the fact that they went out and used the music to process it with the fans, I thought it was a courageous option."

The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert DVD

On the 26th, The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert from 1992 is released on DVD and Left For Live: Deluxe Edition is released by Koch Records in the U.S.


December 2002

New music releases: I Care 4 U - Aaliyah; "All I Have" - Jennifer Lopez; "Sound of the Underground" - Girls Aloud; "Feel" - Robbie Williams

On the 10th, Cheltenham and district coroner Lester Maddrell concludes the official British inquest into John Entwistle's death: "He died from the effects of a single moderate usage of cocaine superimposed upon ischaemic heart disease caused by naturally-occurring coronary atherosclerosis." The verdict confirms the findings of the U.S. coroner from July.

On the 13th, at the First Surround Sound Music Awards, the Music From Lifehouse DVD wins Best Standard Resolution title and Live At Royal Albert Hall: The Who And Special Guests wins Best Concert Video.

According to Pino Palladino’s website, sometime this month he performs with Rachel Fuller along with Pete, Simon Townshend, Marc Brzezicky, and Josh Phillips.

On the 27th, Acme Rock Group releases their CD Star featuring a cover of "Odorono".

On the 28th, Billboard magazine reports that The Who were the 12th top grossing act in the U.S. in 2002 making $28.6 million.


Got anything wrong?

E-mail me by clicking HERE