Dear All,
What a fantastic two months these have been. The tour of Italy was so much fun to do, it now feels as though I dreamt it. It was “that” good an experience. The people, the country, the chaos and the beauty, not to mention the food ! What more could one wish for? It was so great to see some old friends and meet some new ones in more relaxed venues than The Who usually play. I hope I get the chance to do it again before I come off the road. The Italian fans were a joy to perform to. Their passion for the music is almost touchable. I hope their economy picks up for them as I know times are tough for many, but at least they have each other, and that beautiful country to live in.
The Teenage Cancer Trust shows were an enormous success this year and Paul McCartney really pulled out all the stops to make everyone feel at home and to Ronnie Wood too. Paul Weller and Kelly Jones were at their best doing acoustic sets with a great looking string quartet. I owe them a very special thank you for supporting me in putting a show on that night.Thanks also to Steve Winwood and Amy McDonald for making the night perfect for me. Without all their support the Albert Hall would’ve been dark. Example turned the hall into the best “Club” event in town. When the seats in the arena are taken out and the floor’s filled with ravers, it’s a special sight indeed. Pulp were on fire on their night and I was very impressed with Jarvis Cocker. He has a wonderful resonance to his voice that isn’t always apparent on the records. Jessie J brought back memories of the early days of fame for the Who, lots of screaming, but at least with modern sound systems you can hear what a great voice she has above the din. Jason Manford did a great job of hosting the comedy night, and all the comedians were on top for as usual. There’s something about Comedians I envy – no fuss, no back line, nothing but themselves while walking the razor’s edge. Florence ended the week with something completely different to what she usually does, and sang with the Machine as an orchestra. This is one classy lady, and boy can she sing. A fabulously fitting ending to a great week of entertainment at the Royal Albert Hall.
PS I know there was a lot of publicity about people who own their seats at the Albert Hall making a profit out of charitable events. The only thing I can say is that the Albert Hall Trust has been very generous to the Teenage Cancer Trust over the years, and if there is a problem they will fix it. If people are making a profit out of events like this, then live with your consciences.
At the end of April, it was time to fly to Japan. Life threw a curved ball at the band two days before we were due to get there. John Button, our bass player, was was involvedinvolved in a motor cycle accident and broke his ankle and his wrist. The doctors told him there would be no way he could travel . I have always understood how much fans put themselves out to support the artist. I knew there were people travelling from Europe to see us. Thank the universe for Frank Symes, who found someone to rise to the challenge of learning Tommy and the Hits in two days, ‘cos that’s a lot of work. Jamie Hunting must have been a nervous wreck when he walked out on stage that first night in Tokyo, but boy did he rise to the challenge. Well, done, Jamie, and a big extra thanks from me. I loved being in Japan.,what a country, what people. Such beauty, warmth, dignity and grace. We couldn’t have been made more welcome. They took the spirit of Tommy to their heart and made it their own. The experience of spending time with them, performing to them, being in their company is something that will stay with me. Thank you.
I flew from Japan to LA on the 1st May to do the Jimmy Kimmel show on the 3rd. This part of my trip was to promote Teen Cancer America i.e. the US version of UK’s Teenage Cancer Trust. These talk shows always have to be light hearted events and it was very gracious of Jimmy to give me the chance to even mention Teenagers with Cancer on his show. Thanks Jimmy. I enjoyed meeting you. The best thing to happen that day came when I was going back to my dressing room after the show. Standing in front of me with a beautiful smile on her face was Ally Newman, who I’d last in isolation at UCLA. She was really going through the wars at that time, but now here she was, hair growing back, looking radiant and graduating the next day. Presents don’t come better than that. Congratulations, Ally.
From LA, I travelled with Rebecca Rothstein who has been fundamental in making the UCLA centre possible and Dr Jackie Cassillas who works for UCLA, to North Carolina. We had a meeting with the doctors and Staff at Duke University Hospital. This was the result of intensive lobbying by my good friends the Sterner family. Their daughter Sarah experienced the isolation teenagers go through when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 15. She’s now 18 and is proving to be a fantastic ambassador for Teen Cancer USA. I’m so lucky to have found someone who is so articulate and who’s been on the sharp end of being treated for cancer within the US system, to bang the drum for this cause. My special thanks to Mike and Judy Sterner too. They really are a wonderful family and I send them my love.
From NC We went on to New Haven Connecticut, Yale University Hospital. Again the doctors and the Staff went out of their way to make us welcome. My special thanks to Dr Glenn Taylor who worked so hard to make this one happen. Both these hospitals were interested in what we were starting at UCLA and wanted to find out more about what we were trying to achieve. I must say that it seemed to me that most of the doctors and Staff of both hospitals were sympathetic to our vision. They all agreed that someone of 13 yrs old would not have much in common with someone of forty, which is the present age range for Adolescents and Young Adults in the US. They also agree that 13 – 21 yr old are “different”. My observation of both of the Hospitals I visited was that the facilities for Children and Adults were excellent, providing everything one could want for these age groups. The thing that they sadly lacked, and very apparent to me(!), were ANY areas where a teenager could feel psychologically comfortable, with other teens for company and the healing that comes from social interaction. America does not have a problem of medicine. In may ways their ahead of us (in the UK) in many fields. I would like to know is WHY?! This is an administrative problem that with goodwill and cooperation can be sorted out relatively quickly and cheaply as long as people open their eyes to the unnecessary isolation heaped on teenagers within their hospitals.
If you are interested in changing the present situation, get busy online and on twitter, rattle the cage and wake up the powers that be.
Be Lucky,
Roger
Read More: TheWho.com
Bala Cynwyd, PA (May 17 2013): The 13th Annual 102.9 WMGK Classic Rock Art Show & Sale opened on May 17 at Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem, PA. The Art Show features the world’s largest collection of rare photographs, paintings & drawings of the biggest names in classic rock as well as artwork actually made by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Who’s John Entwislte and more.
This year’s Art Show also features drawings from world renowned artist, Georgina Flood. Flood’s graphite drawings of The Beatles have gained her international acclaim amongst Beatles fans as well as recognition and appreciation from Ringo Starr and Yoko Ono. Flood has made a graphite drawing of The Who’s Roger Daltrey specifically for this year’s Art Show. This original piece of art is available for purchase via eBay auction now through May 27. 100% of the proceeds from this auction will benefit Roger Daltrey & Pete Townshend of The Who’s Teen Cancer America charity. Teen Cancer America is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer. This one of a kind piece featuring one of rock’s most iconic front-men is valued at $1,500. The bidding begins at $100. Here’s a direct link to the auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/130910177178 .
In addition to art created by the famous rockers listed above, this year’s Art Show also features pieces created by Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, Ron Wood (Rolling Stones), Robby Krieger (The Doors), Ringo Starr, Carlos Santana and many others. Attendees will also find rare photos of The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Van Halen, Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty as well as Beatles animation art, gold records, concert posters and much more. Admission to the 13th Annual 102.9 WMGK Classic Rock Art Show and Sale is free and all items are available for purchase with prices ranging from $5 (for Classic Rock themed postcards) to $10,000 (for a piece from John Lennon’s ‘Bag One’ collection).
The MGK Classic Rock Art Show is located in the Neshaminy Mall (707 Neshaminy Mall Bensalem, PA 19020) right next to Boscov’s. The exhibit is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am-9:00pm and Sunday from 11:00am-6:00pm. More About Georgina Flood Georgina Flood, 35, is a self taught, graphic artist from Dublin, Ireland. Named after Beatles guitarist, George Harrison, Georgina has been influenced both spiritually and artistically by Harrison and The Beatles. Her work has achieved international acclaim as a result of it being being featured at numerous Beatles fan events throughout the world including the The Welch Beatles Fest, The Irish Beatles Fest, the Chicago Fest for Beatles Fans, The Beatles Convention in Liverpool and Washington DC’s Abbey Road On The River Festival. Georgina’s work has been accepted and praised by Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr and English rocker, Paul Weller. When Weller released a cover version of The Beatles song ‘Birthday’ he asked Flood for permission to use a drawing she did of Sir Paul McCartney (titled ‘The Fool’) as the cover art. For more information on Georgina Flood go to www.georginaflooddesigns.com. More About Teen Cancer America Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who are the driving force behind Teen Cancer America. After over a decade working with Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK, the duo decided to bring their passion across the pond and make a difference in the lives of teens and young adults with cancer in the United States. Teen Cancer America is a charity devoted to improving the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer. The organization partners with hospitals to create youth-oriented centers for those receiving treatment. These units provide peer support and interaction for teen cancer patients while they are receiving treatment at in-patient and out-patient clinics. For more info go to-www.teencanceramerica.org/staging .
Read More: TheWho.com
Robert Plant will be donating the proceeds of the concert to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) whose mission is to provide access to affordable health care for Austin’s low-income, uninsured working musicians and to Teen Cancer America, a charity devoted to improving the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer.
Robert Plant Presents the Sensational Space Shifters has announced its first North American tour dates. This dynamic and powerful new incarnation of Plant’s musical vision has been touring the world, most recently in Australia and New Zealand. The Brisbane Times said “What’s going on is further proof that Plant is far more imaginative, playful and adventurous than any cliche, a man who’s absorbed all the music he’s loved and played and sought out the musicians to explore that,” while Adelaide Now hailed, “The Sensational Space Shifters are everything their name suggests.”
View the tour trailer here.
Read More: Austin City Limits Live
I think the combined ages of all the rockers I saw last night was well over 2,000. So the lesson we learn is, the older the better. Elvis Costello and the Imposters, followed by The Who, rocked the 5,000 seat Theater at Madison Square Garden last for Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Teen Cancer Fund. The Who’s eternally youthful Roger Daltrey is very involved with this charity, and spoke eloquently about it at the end of the evening. What he didn’t say: it was the eve of his 69th birthday. God bless!
Read More: Showbiz 411
“It’s the last show of about 60 or 70, and it’s great to be here in the neighborhood,” said Pete Townshend at the end of the Who’s Thursday night performance at New York’s Theater at Madison Square Garden. Spirits were high as the legendary band added one final stop to their lengthy U.S. tour: a show billed as “Who Cares,” benefiting Teen Cancer USA. Singer Roger Daltrey has long been involved with the charity, and this night saw proceeds (reportedly raising $2 million) going toward the cancer centers at New York’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering hospital and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.
Story via: MSN Entertainment
Teen Cancer America is targeting British rock band The Who fans with a new mobile initiative to drive donations.
The campaign is being rolled out in conjunction with The Who’s Quadrophenia Tour and includes SMS, mobile Web and a sweepstakes. Digigraph.me, UR Mobile, ePrize and mGood are all involved in the campaign.
“The strategy here is to empower The Who’s fans at every U.S. stop on the tour to make a charitable donation to Teen Cancer America,” said Barry Berkowitz, CEO of Digigraph.me, Los Angeles, CA.
“The mobile Web enables donors to quickly complete their donations with a credit card, earn entries into a grand prize sweepstakes and receive a personalized, digitally autographed thank you photo from the Who’s frontmen, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend,” he said.
Teen Cancer America is a non-profit with the goal of improving the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer. How it works Calls-to-action are promoted in videos at the concerts, which encourage consumers to text-in the keyword WHO to the short code 95323.
The Who’s Quadrophenia Tour runs through Feb. 26.
Consumers are then sent a SMS message with a link that connects to a mobile form that users can fill out to make a donation to Teen Cancer America.
Additionally, consumers can enter to win a trip for two to the Teenage Cancer Trust Concert in London. The prize package also includes airfare, hotel accommodations and $1,000 cash.
Once users complete the form, they are sent a personalized picture via SMS and email from The Who’s front men, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey. Mobile donations Nonprofits are increasingly turning to mobile to drive donations and charity awareness.
Coupling mobile with a live event is a great way for Teen Cancer America to get the word about the campaign.
Consumers are more likely to donate to a cause while it is top-of-mind versus making the donation at home in front of their laptops.
Additionally, SMS’s reach means that the nonprofit can involve the widest group of mobile users.
“We see mobile quickly becoming the primary source for charitable donations, by individual civilian donors,” Mr. Berkowitz said. “For the most part, we’re all carrying our mobile devices with us, wherever we are.
“The ability to make charitable donations via mobile is critically important, when the call to action – the request to give, especially at events – requires a fast, efficient and secure communication and transaction method,” he said. “Mobile makes that possible, in a variety of ways, better than ever before.
“It promises to grow as the most effective channel to quickly help worthy charities, like Teen Cancer America, do real good.”
Read more: PR Web Lauren Johnson is associate reporter on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York
Check out this great feature by the Washington Post on Roger Daltrey’s presentation on the Teen Cancer America launch at the National Press Club luncheon: Celebvocate: Roger Daltrey for Teen Cancer America Cause: Launch of new charity Teen Cancer America. Bona fides: Lead singer of The Who, the 1960s bards of youthful alienation; longtime patron of the UK’s Teenage Cancer Trust. Backup: The chair and medical officer for Teen Cancer America, plus his wingman of 50 years, guitarist Pete Townshend, with whom he’ll perform “Quadrophenia” at Verizon Center on Tuesday. What he wants: For hospitals to develop units devoted to the specific needs of cancer patients ages 13-24. Soundbite: “[Teenagers] don’t want teddybears. They should not feel like they’re being isolated . . . You should build a community within your hospital at the point of diagnosis.” Off-topic question: How does he stay fit enough to play arenas at 68? “I suppose I’m genetically lucky. I see all these people running and jogging when they’re 40. It won’t save you.”
Read More: The Washington Post
Dear All,
What a fantastic two months these have been. The tour of Italy was so much fun to do, it now feels as though I dreamt it. It was “that” good an experience. The people, the country, the chaos and the beauty, not to mention the food ! What more could one wish for? It was so great to see some old friends and meet some new ones in more relaxed venues than The Who usually play. I hope I get the chance to do it again before I come off the road. The Italian fans were a joy to perform to. Their passion for the music is almost touchable. I hope their economy picks up for them as I know times are tough for many, but at least they have each other, and that beautiful country to live in.
The Teenage Cancer Trust shows were an enormous success this year and Paul McCartney really pulled out all the stops to make everyone feel at home and to Ronnie Wood too. Paul Weller and Kelly Jones were at their best doing acoustic sets with a great looking string quartet. I owe them a very special thank you for supporting me in putting a show on that night.Thanks also to Steve Winwood and Amy McDonald for making the night perfect for me. Without all their support the Albert Hall would’ve been dark. Example turned the hall into the best “Club” event in town. When the seats in the arena are taken out and the floor’s filled with ravers, it’s a special sight indeed. Pulp were on fire on their night and I was very impressed with Jarvis Cocker. He has a wonderful resonance to his voice that isn’t always apparent on the records. Jessie J brought back memories of the early days of fame for the Who, lots of screaming, but at least with modern sound systems you can hear what a great voice she has above the din. Jason Manford did a great job of hosting the comedy night, and all the comedians were on top for as usual. There’s something about Comedians I envy – no fuss, no back line, nothing but themselves while walking the razor’s edge. Florence ended the week with something completely different to what she usually does, and sang with the Machine as an orchestra. This is one classy lady, and boy can she sing. A fabulously fitting ending to a great week of entertainment at the Royal Albert Hall.
PS I know there was a lot of publicity about people who own their seats at the Albert Hall making a profit out of charitable events. The only thing I can say is that the Albert Hall Trust has been very generous to the Teenage Cancer Trust over the years, and if there is a problem they will fix it. If people are making a profit out of events like this, then live with your consciences.
At the end of April, it was time to fly to Japan. Life threw a curved ball at the band two days before we were due to get there. John Button, our bass player, was was involvedinvolved in a motor cycle accident and broke his ankle and his wrist. The doctors told him there would be no way he could travel . I have always understood how much fans put themselves out to support the artist. I knew there were people travelling from Europe to see us. Thank the universe for Frank Symes, who found someone to rise to the challenge of learning Tommy and the Hits in two days, ‘cos that’s a lot of work. Jamie Hunting must have been a nervous wreck when he walked out on stage that first night in Tokyo, but boy did he rise to the challenge. Well, done, Jamie, and a big extra thanks from me. I loved being in Japan.,what a country, what people. Such beauty, warmth, dignity and grace. We couldn’t have been made more welcome. They took the spirit of Tommy to their heart and made it their own. The experience of spending time with them, performing to them, being in their company is something that will stay with me. Thank you.
I flew from Japan to LA on the 1st May to do the Jimmy Kimmel show on the 3rd. This part of my trip was to promote Teen Cancer America i.e. the US version of UK’s Teenage Cancer Trust. These talk shows always have to be light hearted events and it was very gracious of Jimmy to give me the chance to even mention Teenagers with Cancer on his show. Thanks Jimmy. I enjoyed meeting you. The best thing to happen that day came when I was going back to my dressing room after the show. Standing in front of me with a beautiful smile on her face was Ally Newman, who I’d last in isolation at UCLA. She was really going through the wars at that time, but now here she was, hair growing back, looking radiant and graduating the next day. Presents don’t come better than that. Congratulations, Ally.
From LA, I travelled with Rebecca Rothstein who has been fundamental in making the UCLA centre possible and Dr Jackie Cassillas who works for UCLA, to North Carolina. We had a meeting with the doctors and Staff at Duke University Hospital. This was the result of intensive lobbying by my good friends the Sterner family. Their daughter Sarah experienced the isolation teenagers go through when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 15. She’s now 18 and is proving to be a fantastic ambassador for Teen Cancer USA. I’m so lucky to have found someone who is so articulate and who’s been on the sharp end of being treated for cancer within the US system, to bang the drum for this cause. My special thanks to Mike and Judy Sterner too. They really are a wonderful family and I send them my love.
From NC We went on to New Haven Connecticut, Yale University Hospital. Again the doctors and the Staff went out of their way to make us welcome. My special thanks to Dr Glenn Taylor who worked so hard to make this one happen. Both these hospitals were interested in what we were starting at UCLA and wanted to find out more about what we were trying to achieve. I must say that it seemed to me that most of the doctors and Staff of both hospitals were sympathetic to our vision. They all agreed that someone of 13 yrs old would not have much in common with someone of forty, which is the present age range for Adolescents and Young Adults in the US. They also agree that 13 – 21 yr old are “different”. My observation of both of the Hospitals I visited was that the facilities for Children and Adults were excellent, providing everything one could want for these age groups. The thing that they sadly lacked, and very apparent to me(!), were ANY areas where a teenager could feel psychologically comfortable, with other teens for company and the healing that comes from social interaction. America does not have a problem of medicine. In may ways their ahead of us (in the UK) in many fields. I would like to know is WHY?! This is an administrative problem that with goodwill and cooperation can be sorted out relatively quickly and cheaply as long as people open their eyes to the unnecessary isolation heaped on teenagers within their hospitals.
If you are interested in changing the present situation, get busy online and on twitter, rattle the cage and wake up the powers that be.
Be Lucky,
Roger
Read More: TheWho.com
Bala Cynwyd, PA (May 17 2013): The 13th Annual 102.9 WMGK Classic Rock Art Show & Sale opened on May 17 at Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem, PA. The Art Show features the world’s largest collection of rare photographs, paintings & drawings of the biggest names in classic rock as well as artwork actually made by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Who’s John Entwislte and more.
This year’s Art Show also features drawings from world renowned artist, Georgina Flood. Flood’s graphite drawings of The Beatles have gained her international acclaim amongst Beatles fans as well as recognition and appreciation from Ringo Starr and Yoko Ono. Flood has made a graphite drawing of The Who’s Roger Daltrey specifically for this year’s Art Show. This original piece of art is available for purchase via eBay auction now through May 27. 100% of the proceeds from this auction will benefit Roger Daltrey & Pete Townshend of The Who’s Teen Cancer America charity. Teen Cancer America is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer. This one of a kind piece featuring one of rock’s most iconic front-men is valued at $1,500. The bidding begins at $100. Here’s a direct link to the auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/130910177178 .
In addition to art created by the famous rockers listed above, this year’s Art Show also features pieces created by Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, Ron Wood (Rolling Stones), Robby Krieger (The Doors), Ringo Starr, Carlos Santana and many others. Attendees will also find rare photos of The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Van Halen, Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty as well as Beatles animation art, gold records, concert posters and much more. Admission to the 13th Annual 102.9 WMGK Classic Rock Art Show and Sale is free and all items are available for purchase with prices ranging from $5 (for Classic Rock themed postcards) to $10,000 (for a piece from John Lennon’s ‘Bag One’ collection).
The MGK Classic Rock Art Show is located in the Neshaminy Mall (707 Neshaminy Mall Bensalem, PA 19020) right next to Boscov’s. The exhibit is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am-9:00pm and Sunday from 11:00am-6:00pm. More About Georgina Flood Georgina Flood, 35, is a self taught, graphic artist from Dublin, Ireland. Named after Beatles guitarist, George Harrison, Georgina has been influenced both spiritually and artistically by Harrison and The Beatles. Her work has achieved international acclaim as a result of it being being featured at numerous Beatles fan events throughout the world including the The Welch Beatles Fest, The Irish Beatles Fest, the Chicago Fest for Beatles Fans, The Beatles Convention in Liverpool and Washington DC’s Abbey Road On The River Festival. Georgina’s work has been accepted and praised by Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr and English rocker, Paul Weller. When Weller released a cover version of The Beatles song ‘Birthday’ he asked Flood for permission to use a drawing she did of Sir Paul McCartney (titled ‘The Fool’) as the cover art. For more information on Georgina Flood go to www.georginaflooddesigns.com. More About Teen Cancer America Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who are the driving force behind Teen Cancer America. After over a decade working with Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK, the duo decided to bring their passion across the pond and make a difference in the lives of teens and young adults with cancer in the United States. Teen Cancer America is a charity devoted to improving the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer. The organization partners with hospitals to create youth-oriented centers for those receiving treatment. These units provide peer support and interaction for teen cancer patients while they are receiving treatment at in-patient and out-patient clinics. For more info go to-www.teencanceramerica.org/staging .
Read More: 
I think the combined ages of all the rockers I saw last night was well over 2,000. So the lesson we learn is, the older the better. Elvis Costello and the Imposters, followed by The Who, rocked the 5,000 seat Theater at Madison Square Garden last for Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Teen Cancer Fund. The Who’s eternally youthful Roger Daltrey is very involved with this charity, and spoke eloquently about it at the end of the evening. What he didn’t say: it was the eve of his 69th birthday. God bless!
Read More: 
“It’s the last show of about 60 or 70, and it’s great to be here in the neighborhood,” said Pete Townshend at the end of the Who’s Thursday night performance at New York’s Theater at Madison Square Garden. Spirits were high as the legendary band added one final stop to their lengthy U.S. tour: a show billed as “Who Cares,” benefiting Teen Cancer USA. Singer Roger Daltrey has long been involved with the charity, and this night saw proceeds (reportedly raising $2 million) going toward the cancer centers at New York’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering hospital and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.
Story via: