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1980-07-20-News_and_Record

The Who Review Lacked Decibels

Editor of the Daily News:

In light of the latest concert review, I would like to express an opinion that has been forming for some time now. It seems to me a reviewer's job is to try and evaluate the music of a particular group given their background, present situation, social attitudes, etc.

Jim Jenkins's review of The Who concert (July 14) fails to meet such criteria. It is very closed-minded to say, "It was what rock shows have come to be: more party than anything else. The music takes a back seat to what goes on around it."

Because of such an attitude, any honest attempt to evaluate the music of a band of 15 years was clearly impossible for him to achieve. Furthermore, if every concertgoer was red-eyed and staggering, more interested in "beer, wine and marijuana" than in The Who's enthusiastic musical performance, how was it, and I quote, "Many stood during every second of the show?"

MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL D. SMITH Greensboro.

Editor of the Daily News:

After seeing the legendary rock 'n roll phenomenon, The Who, Wednesday July 9 in Atlanta and then Sunday, July 13 in Greensboro, being totally entertained on each occasion, I was outraged to see the biased and inaccurate review by Jim Jenkins appearing in our fine city paper.

Who is Jim Jenkins, this man who makes a mockery of the large rock population of this city and country? The review disgraced the professional and accurate journalism Greensboro citizens have come to expect from their paper.

The review, centering around the traditional prejudices against rock and its followers, failed to do justice to what easily could be called one of the greatest performances ever displayed at the coliseum. No mention was made of the immense talent possessed by The Who or of their professionalism. Mr. Jenkins's statement, focal point of the review, that rock music has taken a back seat to the party, shows the grave misunderstanding he has of the 14,000 or more who paid ticket prices up to $12.50 for the privilege to see this rock institution perform.

I commend last Sunday's patrons for their cooperation and orderliness. If Mr. Jenkins had been in Atlanta, as I had, seeing a crowd that at times approached the disorderly, he surely would've appreciated and saluted the Greensboro crowd's fine behavior and devotion to one of rock history's greatest continuing legends.

GARY SANDERSON Greensboro.

Editor of the Daily News:

Who is Jim Jenkins? I think it is the responsibility of your fine paper to maintain its excellence in all aspects of journalism, especially cultural reviews.

Mr. Jenkins obviously doesn't appreciate the importance of professionalism, talent, hard work and good entertainment. Lacking objectivity, he missed the total significance of The Who concert.

Thanks to The Who for greatest concert I have ever seen, and to the Greensboro Daily News, please keep Jim (Who?) Jenkins 20 miles from the coliseum.

RANDY THOMAS Wilmington.

Editor of the Daily News:

Since the ideal purpose of a newspaper is to report clearly rather than color the report of an event, I think you should find someone who is at least mildly sympathetic towards an event to cover it. Mr. Jenkins wrote a review of The Who concert, but his article was not labeled as such. He gave the impression that he would have rather been covering a fire at the city dump. Sure it was crowded, loud and unbearably hot, but I went beyond that to enjoy the music and performance of a band that has lasted in the public eye for over 15 years when most bands barely last a blink. The sound system was blaring and a little muddled to begin with, but the sound technicians soon got it straightened out.

I had a hard time hearing during parts of the show because of the screaming of the fans (I'm sure that sounds hard to believe).

The security staff kept the aisles clear and the crowd — well, I've seen more wobbly walking coming out of stadiums in Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill than I did at this concert. The attitude of Mr. Jenkins just seemed pointed in the wrong direction.

Peter Townshend

He said Roger Daltrey "twisted, grimaced and jumped" instead of dancing enthusiastically and Peter Townshend was "almost-violent" rather than energetically performing his own music.

In my opinion, The Who on July 13 showed me the same energy and joy of playing with the new members that the original four showed me in 1972 in England when I saw them last. I wish to thank the coliseum and everyone involved because I feel it was one of the best shows I've seen here in Greensboro. It would, however, be more comfortable if they would crank up the air conditioners a little sooner.

TOMMY EDWARDS Greensboro.