Saturday night was an experience

The Kids Are Alright

BB Kings 5/7/05

Thanks Too:

Nick

Gigi

Jim

The Next "Generation"

Growing up in the mid to late 70's each kid in my neighborhood had their favorite band. Whether it was Zeppelin, Rush, Boston, Elp, or Yes that was your band and you regarded them as "Holy." You would wear the concert tee shirts with pride along with the jean jacket with the album cover painted on the back. Your room would be covered with posters that you would just stare at for hours while playing the records. Your band in some way represented your personality. You would fight for your band with endless arguments and at times even throw some fists when needed to be able to just say "They Are THE BEST" It was sort of like having rival gangs in the streets, but your gang was your band and my band was The Who.

Saturday night at BB Kings was one night that will stand out for me for the rest of my life. It wasn't that we played great or that it was Times Square on a Saturday night with a great crowd, it was something simple. I noticed many younger fans at this show and they knew The Who well. One kid in particular in the first row reminded me of myself and how I was some time ago.. While performing it hit me that this experience has gone full circle for me. I was looking straight into the eyes of a twelve year old "Who" fanatic, who looked and felt the same way I did some twenty five years ago.

I remember my first Who experience and that feeling like it was yesterday. I saw The Who for the first time on TV, they were on Don Kershners Rock Concert. The clip was "Won't Get Fooled Again" from The Kids Are Alright movie. I watched in amazement as that night changed my life forever. Not to long after I got my first guitar learned an "A" chord and the rest was history. All I ever wanted to do as a twelve year old kid was to be able to play like Pete Townshend. It's strange how things turn out, now I'm portraying that person who I wanted to be some twenty five years ago & that twelve year old kid....... well, he's looking at us in amazement.

You Kids Are Alright!!!!

So you might ask today, "Do you still fight for your band?" The fight is different today. I fight every time I hit the stage with Who's Next. My gang today are my band mates Bobby, Dave & Will. No need to throw anymore punches, our punches come from the music...... and they land hard.

Bill