Interview with Jena ~
How did you first start liking the Who?
It’s obscure really. My sister’s winter percussion show happened to be the music from Tommy and I liked it.
What is it about them that you find so intriguing?
I guess I’d have to go back to when I first started liking them. I was really intrigued that someone could come up with the idea that a deaf, dumb and blind boy could play pinball. Who the hell would think of that?
Would you say that they were superior to other bands in their time?
I think so. Because when I think of “their time” I think of the Doors and stuff. To me the Doors and the Beatles couldn’t think of things like a deaf dumb and blind boy. The Who were not appreciated as much as some of the other bands, but I think they should have been; more so than they were.
Do you think that the integrity of their work over time suffered because of their persistence to stay together as a band?
No, I think over time, personally, that it got better. Pete was always trying to find new ideas to keep them going and give them something to do. It gave them something to strive for.
So you don’t think Roger was the striving force even though he started the band and credits himself for keeping them going at times?
No, I think Pete was the striving force. Not only that he wrote the songs but that everyone seemed to ride on him. Even when John passed away, Roger didn’t decide that they would keep going. He said he would do whatever Pete wanted to do.
With the absence of Keith and John, would you say that the Who as a band still exist?
Probably… the physical band is there but it’s not all there. I believe that they can keep going because the Who is a name more than just the members of a band. On stage it is missing those two aspects of it.
If the Who were to release another album and maybe tour a bit, do you think the quality of their work would be as it has been in the past?
If they do release any new songs and go on tour, the quality of the songs I don’t think will change because it’s still Pete. Pete has written the songs in the past and he’ll write the songs in the future.
What about the individual members? Do you have a favorite and why?
John. (laughs) It was hard to figure he was my favorite member. He didn’t strive to be noticed. He wasn’t noticed because he was doing something extravagant onstage. He was noticed because he was a talented bass player. He didn’t have to make it big… it became big on it’s own.
Can you describe what it is about the members as individuals you find interesting?
Pete is a very intelligent person and he seems to know what he’s doing. He knows how to please a crowd. They come to see what he does best. Keith was a showman. Roger, though he didn’t contribute actual instrumental music to the band, his voice helped make the Who songs what they were. Johns bass playing is just another aspect of what the Who became. They could not have possibly become what they became without all four of them.
Do you prefer john’s solo albums to the others?
If I do, it’s because we don’t get to see a lot of John. Everyone else is always there, we don’t always get to see John. When he does a solo album, its just john. And that’s what I like about it.
Despite favoritism, how successful would you say each member’s solo career was?
Pete’s solo career was probably the most because he’s very artistic and he did get a big following. John’s would be next because he gained his own following of people who came to just see John. After that it would be Roger’s. I don’t know what to say about that. Keith just did one album and it wasn’t a big deal. I don’t think he meant it to be. But, first Pete’s and then John’s.
Did the fact that the songs on Keith and Roger’s albums weren’t written by them bias your choice in becoming interested in their CDs?
Yeah, it did. It’s just not the same as if they wrote their own songs and sang them. I think I prefer listening to Keith’s song “Girls Eye’s” than just listening to other songs on his solo album. It’s just an aspect that you can appreciate more.
As for live performances, what makes the Who concerts so appealing?
Everything about it is big. It’s big enough for them to just run by themselves. You don’t need pyrotechnics. You just get them and that’s all you need. You can’t take your eyes off them.
What about solo performances? Without the rest of the band, do you think they’re able to put on a good show by themselves?
Pete seems to be able to do the job. I’ve seen his live recordings. John does an awesome job on Left for Live. Roger still relied on Pete’s songs, and in a way, he had Pete up there with him because he used those songs. He didn’t have his own material. John and Pete had what it took to get on there by themselves.
When the news of Pete possibly being charged with possession of pedophiliac material and him possibly facing jail time hit the news, what did you think?
I was shocked but I didn’t believe it. Not as in “Oh, I don’t believe it!” but as in “No, I don’t believe it.” But I was scared. Scared that it might be true. But it wasn’t until I read what he had to say about the situation and how confident he was that I thought it wasn’t true. He allowed them to take his stuff and he wrote on his site that he couldn’t wait until it was all over so he could talk to us. He was confident. He didn’t withhold anything from the media. He talks about his addictions and stuff. He was always upfront with his fans. Why would he hold this back? He was upfront and wasn’t ashamed of anything.
Did you think any less of Pete and his work?
No. Absolutely not.
Had he been found guilty, would you have thought less of him?
I can’t really say. I probably would be very disappointed. I still probably wouldn’t believe it.
Do you feel that the negative publicity harmed Pete’s name and the Who?
At first I thought it might, but after reading about how people supported him. I thought it only made their loyalty stronger. It made mine stronger…
Certain aspects of Pete’s lyrics received criticism by the media and the listening audience for content. How do you feel about this?
He was a stupid kid. Stupid kids say stupid things. Don’t take it seriously.
When you heard that John had died, what was your immediate reaction?
I cried. Hard. I just found out that week that he was my favorite. I couldn’t believe it at first and I went online and found it. Sure enough, john had died and I cried. I was supposed to see the show that weekend.
This was shortly before the 2002 concert was to begin, and the news that the Who would continue the concert upset some people. Did you agree with them?
No, because I ended up going to the concert. It was about the best experience I’d ever have the privilege to witness. I couldn’t imagine them not going on because it was just great.
Did your enthusiasm about seeing the Who live in concert change because John wouldn’t be there?
It did at first, but because prior to that I was saying to myself “I get to see john stand there” but after he died I was very disappointed. Extremely disappointed. But I thought to myself, “There’s still two left. Go see them.” But after that I started to get excited again.
Are there certain Who albums you favor over others? Which ones and why is this?
Yes. (Laughs) Si. I tend to favor Sell Out and Face Dances over some of the other ones. Sell Out because it’s just a great album. They are great songs by all the members of the band, and it kind of shows them from before and Face Dances shows them after. It’s like the best of both worlds. You get to hear them when they’re young and then when they’re older and developed. I think it’s those albums over My Generation, which I really like, but it’s just how they got established. It’s their start off point. You get better as you go along.
How about solo albums by either of the members?
Yeah. Pete- I prefer White City probably the most to the other ones because it’s one I can easily hear without leaving. For John, it would probably be Smash Your Head Against The Wall probably for the same reason. It’s like a roller coaster ride. It rocks. It keeps you on your toes. You never know with john.
Are there albums that just shouldn’t have been? Do you think they damaged the Who’s, or that solo artists career in anyway?
John’s Rock, only because John didn’t sing any of the songs. As for the Who, probably that one… (Thinks.) Who’s Missing because all of the songs on there you can find on other albums that have better songs. I didn’t see a point for that one. As for damage…. Not really. We all make mistakes.
What makes you continue to purchase albums, even the ones you don’t like?
The thought of owning all of them is just intriguing. I don’t know what good it’s going to do, but the thought of owning all of them is pretty awesome.
Do you have anything to add?
I think when I’m old and feeble, I could possibly still be listening to the Who. Even though I just might be deaf like Pete Townshend, but that’s not a bad thing. That didn’t make any sense, did it?