Story

The Who!............by now I was asking myself how many more legends could we expect to see tour, even more so in Australia. A friend of mine is a huge Who fan and so I was excited to attempt to meet them and get a painting signed so I could report back to my friend and tell him how,..... (if), friendly The Who are in real life. Also no doubt about it, it goes without saying they're a highly reputable band, an important part of the music scene.

So as I researched The Who on tour in Australia I began to learn they had a tendency to do everything at the last minute, like turn up in town via their private jet just hours before a gig, not even doing sound checks, nothing, just fly in and do the show. So I was a little concerned that I might not have much time on this one. further to it, I found that Pete & Roger were residing in different hotels, making it even more difficult.

I was forced to plan out my hunt like The Who themselves and do it all at the last minute. I arrived at the hotel to meet Pete first as id heard he was being the most approachable at this time. Roger was getting chased by the same fans all over the country and had refused a couple of times to do autographs and photos, so it made sense to go for Pete first. Waiting for Pete with just one other fan we chatted and though we knew we were in the right place, there was just no signs of any action, having waited all day, some 7 hours. Even up to a couple of hours before The Who were due on stage.....nothing ! ..............then it came, the chauffeured car arrived, we knew it was on. 20 mins later out comes Pete, fortunately I was a friend of Petes driver and the driver had gone inside to talk to Pete and tell him of my painting and what I do, so when Pete saw me and one other fan he came right across to us and was very polite, signing and even posing for a photo, he was so relaxed just not in any kind of a rush to get to his own gig, quite amusing.

As it was pretty much Showtime I decided to take a break and head to Rogers hotel after the gig. It was a cold rainy, windy night, all the worst elements of weather you really don't want when doing this ! midnight passed, Roger wasn't insight, I wanted to go home and call it quits, but couldn't get past the thought of him arriving as I drove away. I chose to wait, I was alone most of the night till the final hour when 6 other fans showed up..................the fans who'd followed Roger all over the country,great I thought, now I have no chance.

In the final hour, now approaching 1am, Rogers car pulled up into the driveway, id discussed with the fans and incredibly they let me approach alone, I felt they thought my painting might get Roger to stop, like they were using me as bait or something. So I walked to Rogers car as he got out and called out asking if he will sign for me, he seemed very rushed, wanting to get inside the hotel, but still kindly asked if I have the pen ready, I said yes, and he was saying " quick, quick " he scrawled a really beautiful autograph for me and I hurried away to let him be on his way inside, I didn't feel it was right to ask for a photo, Still the other fans then raced into the hotel, I waited for the outcome, a few mins after they come walking back out, all of them got a photo with Roger. Never mind that's good for them, im just not one to overstep the mark and upset the target.