"He didn't see me coming but he surely saw me running, faster than the U.S. mail." -- Born Late '58 (1974)
Or maybe it should be "What of Watts?"
With the Buffin issue sorted out this week, the biggest remaining mystery of the MTH reunion is the status of bass player Pete Overend Watts, who has had nothing to say publicly. He was the only band member who didn't appear at the MOJO awards, and the only one not interviewed for the (London) Guardian's recent piece.
I'm not speculating Watts won't play. It's clear to me he really is involved, despite his elusiveness. But fans must be wondering what the guy even looks like, as all the others have been seen in recent weeks. Here's a person last widely seen standing on foot-high platforms with silver car paint coloring his hair. Whatever Watts 2009 looks like, it will be a shock. I wish I could be at Monmouth to see.
I always thought Watts was second only to Ian Hunter as the visual symbol of MTH. He adopted the glam look -- "tarted up," as Hunter says -- more easily than any of them. I also thought he was the one most screwed over by the 1974 split, as he had apparently turned down a spot in Bad Company out of loyalty to MTH only to be left with nothing. And remember, it was Watts who made the overture to David Bowie that led to "All the Young Dudes" and the very survival of MTH beyond Brain Capers.
His post-MTH endeavors are generally known. He ran an antique shop where his MTH stage gear was on display. He became an endurance walker, so we shouldn't worry about his stamina or leg strength for these shows. Now Watts returns to us with his own theme song, courtesy of the U.S. band Mambo Sons. As a songwriter we know so well once wrote, "Overend's just a rock 'n' roll star."
So here's looking forward to our reunion with Lord Watts, and here's hoping there's a place for "Born Late '58" on the Hammersmith set. It will be good to see him, and hear him.
Or maybe it should be "What of Watts?"
With the Buffin issue sorted out this week, the biggest remaining mystery of the MTH reunion is the status of bass player Pete Overend Watts, who has had nothing to say publicly. He was the only band member who didn't appear at the MOJO awards, and the only one not interviewed for the (London) Guardian's recent piece.
I'm not speculating Watts won't play. It's clear to me he really is involved, despite his elusiveness. But fans must be wondering what the guy even looks like, as all the others have been seen in recent weeks. Here's a person last widely seen standing on foot-high platforms with silver car paint coloring his hair. Whatever Watts 2009 looks like, it will be a shock. I wish I could be at Monmouth to see.
I always thought Watts was second only to Ian Hunter as the visual symbol of MTH. He adopted the glam look -- "tarted up," as Hunter says -- more easily than any of them. I also thought he was the one most screwed over by the 1974 split, as he had apparently turned down a spot in Bad Company out of loyalty to MTH only to be left with nothing. And remember, it was Watts who made the overture to David Bowie that led to "All the Young Dudes" and the very survival of MTH beyond Brain Capers.
His post-MTH endeavors are generally known. He ran an antique shop where his MTH stage gear was on display. He became an endurance walker, so we shouldn't worry about his stamina or leg strength for these shows. Now Watts returns to us with his own theme song, courtesy of the U.S. band Mambo Sons. As a songwriter we know so well once wrote, "Overend's just a rock 'n' roll star."
So here's looking forward to our reunion with Lord Watts, and here's hoping there's a place for "Born Late '58" on the Hammersmith set. It will be good to see him, and hear him.
He has been sighted several times in the last year. Apparently, Pete is like the Sasquatch of rock or something. I've read reports from those that encountered him on his walk from Land's End to John o' Groats as well as someone who apparently teamed with Lord Watts at a local pub quiz along the way.
ReplyDeleteSo far, no one has reported missing limbs or anything like his having put on twenty stone or something, so although he'll certainly have aged, he shoudl be holding up fairly well.
Have a great time at the shows. I'm very much looking forward to reporting from the front lines, which will hopefully include the news that the event is being shot for a DVD release for those of us unable to make it across the pond.