Pete Townshend Apologizes For Mouthing Obscenity at Seven Year-Old Fan
Posted by Jeremy Thomas on 03.03.2013
He did it during a concert...
Pete Townshend has written a letter of apology to a seven year-old fan and her father for mouthing an obscenity to them during a concert. The Who member mouthed "f**k off" at the two after seeing them near the stage during the Who's Ontario, Canada show where they performed Quadrophenia; the girl, Jenny Costello, was holding a sign that read "Smash your guitar, Pete!" Townshend spotted it and said, "Go away with that sign please, just go away with it, just go away with it. Don't bring your children, use them. I want to tell you two words but I can't because you've got a child there." He then mouthed the phrase.
According to Sun News Network, Townshend has written a personal apology to the family, saying, "Apologies and condolences from my side, and very best wishes to you and your family." He noted that he would like to meet with them and said, "I asked my friend Mike Tyler to find you so I could tell you that I am so sorry the story about us blew up the way it did, but also to tell you that I sympathize with you both, and your daughter's mother, and that I am most certainly not angry. I was not angry on stage either. I was in rock star mode, the big mouth."
He added, "I could have handled it differently. I thought of sending someone to find you both and telling you I was not upset, but we were flying to New York straight after the show, and had no time to spare. I wish things had been different. It would have saved you from all this furor...I thought your placard was fun. I had a job to do (to announce our musicians) and I didn't want to lengthen the show by trying to deal with you directly and in detail. I was also worried that your daughter looked a little frightened as the crowd started to follow you down the aisle. The ushers should not have let you leave your seats and walk forward. All that said, you did nothing wrong."
Townshend has arranged to meet with the Costellos in April.
