Post by wingsj0 on Feb 1, 2006 20:35:43 GMT
John Enwistle’s Memorial Service Thursday 24th October 2002 - By Yolanda de Kruyff - from Holland.
I was privileged to be one of The Who fans to be at John’s memorial service. I found out about the service just some days before it took place, but I really felt from deep down that I had to be there, for John. So I took two days off work, booked a plane ticket and a hotel, and off I went. Arriving in London Town on Wednesday.
Thursday at 8.30am I went to St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church where the memorial service was to take place. I wasn’t the first one to arrive. About eight fans were already there. Amongst whom was a guy also from Holland, who doesn’t live too far from where I live (small world eh?). We talked about The Who, John’s music, Who concerts, etc. Then someone said that Roger would be singing during the service. Now, for someone who had never seen The Who before………..
Some more fans came in, and how it happened I do not know, but an alarm suddenly went off very, very load. Now how is that for a soundcheck? It was turned off after what seemed a lifetime.
At 10.00am, a security guy told us we could go and sit upstairs in the balcony. So we all went upstairs and found a seat. We had a good view, you could overlook everything very well. We watched the invited guests arrive; Mrs Betty Townshend, Zak Starkey, matt Kent, Simon, roadies and security personnel.
Towards 11.00am John’s mum Queenie arrived with John’s girlfriend, followed by Roger with his wife and daughters, family and friends. The service started with a word of welcome by the Reverend. Then Steve Luongo delivered a eulogy. He spoke about John’s humour, his kindness, and how John really cared for his fans. I was deeply moved by his speech, and so it was for most of us there in the balcony………not a dry eye I can tell you.
The eulogy was followed by the hymn Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind. Then Bill Curbishley took a reading, followed by the hymn I Vow To Thee My Country.
John Hurt read a poem, which, if I understood correctly, he’d written himself.
John’s solo from “5:15”, that he played at The Royal Albert Hall, was played on a screen. I love that solo!!! It was greatly appreciated by all of the fans, that they chose to play this.
After John’s solo, Matt Kent spoke on behalf of The Who Fanclub, followed by a Prayer of Blessing.
Then it was Roger’s turn. He told us he wanted to honour John the best way that he could and that was by singing a song. Roger and Simon (who had suddenly appeared) sang Boris The Spider together. It was amazing, wow. I felt so good to be a part of this, really awesome.
(2)
After Roger and Simon finished, the service ended. Everyone went outside, where the press had gathered. I saw Roger being interviewed by the press. After the interviews had finished and photographs had been taken, the officially invited guests left for a private gathering……..and I went back to Holland some hours later. Very honoured to have been a part of John’s Memorial Service.
After the Memorial Service, when Roger was being interviewed by the press, I was trying to take a photograph of Simon, when he passed the press photographers. One of the photographers standing next to me saw me, and followed my example. Then he asked me “Who was that?”
I looked at him and said “That was Simon”, assuming that everyone knows Simon.
“Simon who?” he then asked.
“Simon Townshend!!” I told him.
“Oh”, he replied “Is he Pete Townshend’s son?”
“No, he is his BROTHER”, I told him.
Anyone who wants to find out more about Simon Townshend, who is a brilliant musician/songwriter, can do so by visiting his web-site at www.simontownshend.com
Yolanda de Kruyff
Holland.
Official Site: www.petetownshend.com
Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.
I was privileged to be one of The Who fans to be at John’s memorial service. I found out about the service just some days before it took place, but I really felt from deep down that I had to be there, for John. So I took two days off work, booked a plane ticket and a hotel, and off I went. Arriving in London Town on Wednesday.
Thursday at 8.30am I went to St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church where the memorial service was to take place. I wasn’t the first one to arrive. About eight fans were already there. Amongst whom was a guy also from Holland, who doesn’t live too far from where I live (small world eh?). We talked about The Who, John’s music, Who concerts, etc. Then someone said that Roger would be singing during the service. Now, for someone who had never seen The Who before………..
Some more fans came in, and how it happened I do not know, but an alarm suddenly went off very, very load. Now how is that for a soundcheck? It was turned off after what seemed a lifetime.
At 10.00am, a security guy told us we could go and sit upstairs in the balcony. So we all went upstairs and found a seat. We had a good view, you could overlook everything very well. We watched the invited guests arrive; Mrs Betty Townshend, Zak Starkey, matt Kent, Simon, roadies and security personnel.
Towards 11.00am John’s mum Queenie arrived with John’s girlfriend, followed by Roger with his wife and daughters, family and friends. The service started with a word of welcome by the Reverend. Then Steve Luongo delivered a eulogy. He spoke about John’s humour, his kindness, and how John really cared for his fans. I was deeply moved by his speech, and so it was for most of us there in the balcony………not a dry eye I can tell you.
The eulogy was followed by the hymn Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind. Then Bill Curbishley took a reading, followed by the hymn I Vow To Thee My Country.
John Hurt read a poem, which, if I understood correctly, he’d written himself.
John’s solo from “5:15”, that he played at The Royal Albert Hall, was played on a screen. I love that solo!!! It was greatly appreciated by all of the fans, that they chose to play this.
After John’s solo, Matt Kent spoke on behalf of The Who Fanclub, followed by a Prayer of Blessing.
Then it was Roger’s turn. He told us he wanted to honour John the best way that he could and that was by singing a song. Roger and Simon (who had suddenly appeared) sang Boris The Spider together. It was amazing, wow. I felt so good to be a part of this, really awesome.
(2)
After Roger and Simon finished, the service ended. Everyone went outside, where the press had gathered. I saw Roger being interviewed by the press. After the interviews had finished and photographs had been taken, the officially invited guests left for a private gathering……..and I went back to Holland some hours later. Very honoured to have been a part of John’s Memorial Service.
After the Memorial Service, when Roger was being interviewed by the press, I was trying to take a photograph of Simon, when he passed the press photographers. One of the photographers standing next to me saw me, and followed my example. Then he asked me “Who was that?”
I looked at him and said “That was Simon”, assuming that everyone knows Simon.
“Simon who?” he then asked.
“Simon Townshend!!” I told him.
“Oh”, he replied “Is he Pete Townshend’s son?”
“No, he is his BROTHER”, I told him.
Anyone who wants to find out more about Simon Townshend, who is a brilliant musician/songwriter, can do so by visiting his web-site at www.simontownshend.com
Yolanda de Kruyff
Holland.
Official Site: www.petetownshend.com
Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.