The Who's Pete Townshend Apologises After Mouthing 'F*ck Off' To Seven Year-Old Girl
Monday, 04 March 2013
Written by Elliott Batte
The Who guitarist Pete Townshend was forced to apologise to a seven year-old fan and her father this week - after he mouthed the words ‘fuck off’ to the young girl.
The 67 year-old rocker was evidently upset after witnessing seven year-old Jenny Costello waving a sign that read ‘Smash your guitar, Pete!’ - and ended up mouthing the words ‘fuck off’ to the infant fan.
Townshend said to the crowd: ”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.”
After mouthing the obscenity at her anyway, the story ended up being widely reported, and Townshend then decided it would be best to write a letter of apology to the father-daughter pair.
The The Sun News Network reports that the letter reads: “Apologies and condolences from my side, and very best wishes to you and your family.”
It continues: ”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.
“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 apparently arranged to meet Jenny and her father Eric in April, so they can ‘laugh’ about the whole ordeal. If you’d like to see The Who, you can catch them on their up and coming UK tour this summer - for tickets, check the dates and links below.
Sat June 8th 2013 - O2 Dublin, Dublin
Mon June 10th 2013 - Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Wed June 12th 2013 - SECC, Glasgow
Sat June 15th 2013 - O2 Arena, London
Sun June 16th 2013 - O2 Arena, London
Tue June 18th 2013 - Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Thu June 20th 2013 - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Sun June 23rd 2013 - Manchester Arena, Manchester
Tue June 25th 2013 - Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Cardiff
Fri June 28th 2013 - LG Arena, Birmingham
Sun June 30th 2013 - Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool
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