12th Grade Speech Class Final Exam
When I was 18, (1978) I made a presentation of speaking and music in speech class/senior year high school as my final. As the "I Am The
Sea' from the album "Quadrophenia" by The Who played in the background, I described the story and concept in the 88 minute 'rock opera'. The teacher and the class were rivited. I guess they didn't expect phonograph music, a 100 watt SUNN bass amp, a 1975Fender Precision bass, and myself talking.
The album, (a two record set with storyline and photo book) was out in 1973. I discovered it a few years later, and it became my favorite album for a few years. I had begun to learn bass guitar at 14 and developed as a player pretty quickly. But learning the bass lines of John Entwistle of the Who, took a lot of effort and lifting of the needle, to replay the song on my four speaker Sanyo stereo set.
The album tells the story of a person, Jimmy, a teen without much hope, not much guidence, not many options, and not sure of his standing with his peers, (especially girls). In other words, it was about me and every person I knew in those days. It really spoke to me about being like that. It had been my "headphone before sleep" album. Also my "I will, and I CAN" play my bass like John Entwistle album since picking up the bass guitar. It was also one of the most important things for me to tell about at school and with friends. I was one of the type of guy, that I felt I must get others to like what I like. And, getting the approval of others by sharing The Who, or Monty Python, or the hilarious show called Saturday Night Live, with the other friends at school. It determined what they thought of me, and more so.... how I judged them. (I haven't completely grown out of that behaivior... but almost have Lol).
After the first song I mentioned above, "I Am the Sea" played through, the second song "The Real Me" came on. I suggest any or all of you to listen to "I Am the Sea" and "The Real Me" to hear the amazing John Entwistle, solo lead bass, and The Who. Link at bottom to YOu Tube....
As the needle on the phonograph approached "The Real Me" I put on my Fender, clicked on my "Sunn" amp and then....... one slight bad note during the fast "64th" notes ..... otherwise flawless. I made an A (it was my final exam speech class). I got a large applause, and a pinch of ego boost, and looking back on it as a good looking 62 year old, a fond memory, and a smile.
Thanks for singing, or playing, or listening or reading about music, (with and without "The Who") and being a human too.
Want to open up a part of your brain that you haven't used before? By learning a bit of an instrument or performance in music it does this. By ear or lessons or reading music.... no rules. If you are in touch with Pete Townshend or "who"ever needs a bassist or guitarist I volunteer. Peace from Scott Rowland
When I was 18, (1978) I made a presentation of speaking and music in speech class/senior year high school as my final. As the "The Sea' from the album "Quadrophenia" by The Who played in the background, I described the story and concept in the 88 minute 'rock opera'. The teacher and the class were rivited. I guess they didn't expect phonograph music, a 100 watt SUNN bass amp, a 1975Fender Precision bass, and myself talking.
The album, (a two record set with storyline and photo book) was out in 1973. I discovered it a few years later, and it became my favorite album for a few years. I had begun to learn bass guitar at 14 and developed as a player pretty quickly. But learning the bass lines of John Entwistle of the Who, took a lot of effort and lifting of the needle, to replay the song on my four speaker Sanyo stereo set.
The album tells the story of a person, Jimmy, without much hope, not much guidence, not many options, and not sure of his standing with his peers, (especially girls). In other words, it was about me and every person I knew in those days. It really spoke to me about being like that. It had been my "headphone before sleep" album. Also my "I will, and I CAN" play my bass like John Entwistle album since picking up the bass guitar. It was also one of the most important things for me to tell about at school and with friends. I was one of the type of guy, that must get others to like what I like, and getting approval of others by sharing The Who, or Monty Python, or the hilarious show called Saturday Night Live, with the other friends at school. It determined what they thought of me, and more so.... how I judged them. (I haven't completely grown out of that behaivior... but almost have Lol).
After the first song I mentioned above, "The Sea" played through, the second song "The Real Me" came on. I suggest any or all of you to listen to "The Sea" and "The Real Me" to hear the amazing John Entwistle, solo lead bass, and The Who. Link at bottom to YOu Tube....
As the needle on the phonograph approached "The Real Me" I put on my Fender, clicked on my "Sunn" amp and then....... one slight bad note during the fast "64th" notes ..... otherwise flawless. I made an A (it was my final exam speech class). I got a large applause, and a pinch of ego boost, and looking back on it as a good looking 62 year old, a fond memory, and a smile.
Thanks for singing, or playing, or listening or reading about music, (with and without "The Who") and being a human too.
Want to open up a part of your brain that you haven't used before? By learning a bit of an instrument or performance in music it does this. By ear or lessons or reading music.... no rules. If you are in touch with Pete Townshend or "who"ever needs a bassist or guitarist I volunteer. Peace from Scott Rowland
photos left to right are GIF of the last original Who concert, me today, John Entwistle, and me in High School.
