Open Letter to Mr Porter
Feb 6, 2016 20:16:56 GMT
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charles, gerdundula3106, and 4 more like this
Post by derryquo on Feb 6, 2016 20:16:56 GMT
Dear Mr Porter, I work on the basis that you regularly pop on the board and take a temperature teSt of Quo fans. On that basis I thought I would put a few of my thoughts in writing to you.
Let me firstly say, that I speak as a single quo fan, but perhaps reflect the opinions of some others, all be it, there are plenty who don't share my views.
I wanted to reflect on the recent announcement of no more electric tours. One would think that it would be a sad day for Quo fans including me but I wanted to let you know that it's not as sad as it might have been. I will use an analogy of my father's death. He was ill for 9 months before he passed and suffered alot before his inevitable death. When he passed, I was sad and still miss him a lot, and sometimes reflect on the many other experiences I could have had with him if he had not passed away. I was very relived that he no longer had to suffer but also in another way was relived that what I had endured during his illness was now over.
Anyway back to quo, and not to put too fine a point on them, they have been an incredibly important part of my life. For many years I have thoroughly enjoyed the band, mostly live and could forgive some of the mistakes I thought they made. I tended to forgive my dad's short givings as well. In the more recent years, the live performance has declined and you are aware that factors such as the set list had a significant part of that. I still wanted to enjoy my favorite band but they appeared to be, well bored and perhaps taking their relationship with me and others for granted. The 2013 and 2014 gigs ( with the original members) appeared to have revitalised them and I will always be grateful for that experience.
I do accept that band members are getting older, that is a fact, but I do not accept the reasons given for the final electric tour. In all honesty, I belive that the decline in attendance at concerts is the main reason for the announcement. I will not get cynical about a last cash cow etc, partly as I believe that it's their right to do that after the career they have had.
But let's get back to why I am not sad about this. Well simply because it brings a sense of ending and relief that the band wont get further critised for their laziness and that they don't turn into a band that play to audiences of 500 or god forgive on a cruise ship. To some extent if it's over, it's over and I can move on with, well a grieving process, which in this instance will include accepting that the original members will not play again.
But now to the real reason for my letter. I often wonder if more medically could have been done for my father and what could have been, had he not have passed away. And that's what I wonder with quo. I wonder is there still time for some intervention that would at least provide a pallative ending for the band. You can't take back the announcement but you could still influence the ending process and perhaps allow me and other quo fans, time to come to terms with the endings.
Here's how I think it could work. Announce the European tour as planned. Put the tickets on sale and promoise that the band will work on the set list with 5 or 6 additional classics replacing the songs that we all want replaced. Next announce that due to the phenomenal demand that the tour will continue into 2017 and that the original line up will play the final leg of the tour. I would suggest that March and aptil 2017 could be dedicated to this, and that a few special summer gigs will also be facilitated by the original members. Then finally announce that a final gig by the original band will be played at a venue of your choice...outdoor summer..It will attract 25, 000 fans so a suitable venue will be needed.
Now here's the thing, if you take my advice, you will bring the closure to me (and perhaps other fans) that I believe that I deserve. Such an ending will ensure greater attendance at all final gigs where ever they are. I don't mind contributing to the bands final retirement fund, and I will contribute to all aspect of the tour, Christmas, March and summer 2017 but the format has to be right.
Mr Porter, I don't think you have always done a great job of managing the band, but here you have a chance to put some of your wrong right. And I do believe that the job of convincing Francis about this, is what you are paid for.
And one final matter Mr Porter, drop the idea of any further accoustic ventures. You and I know that there is no money in it. Tell Francis to take a few others on a Francis solo tour to do that.
Mr Porter, thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts.
DerryQuo.
Let me firstly say, that I speak as a single quo fan, but perhaps reflect the opinions of some others, all be it, there are plenty who don't share my views.
I wanted to reflect on the recent announcement of no more electric tours. One would think that it would be a sad day for Quo fans including me but I wanted to let you know that it's not as sad as it might have been. I will use an analogy of my father's death. He was ill for 9 months before he passed and suffered alot before his inevitable death. When he passed, I was sad and still miss him a lot, and sometimes reflect on the many other experiences I could have had with him if he had not passed away. I was very relived that he no longer had to suffer but also in another way was relived that what I had endured during his illness was now over.
Anyway back to quo, and not to put too fine a point on them, they have been an incredibly important part of my life. For many years I have thoroughly enjoyed the band, mostly live and could forgive some of the mistakes I thought they made. I tended to forgive my dad's short givings as well. In the more recent years, the live performance has declined and you are aware that factors such as the set list had a significant part of that. I still wanted to enjoy my favorite band but they appeared to be, well bored and perhaps taking their relationship with me and others for granted. The 2013 and 2014 gigs ( with the original members) appeared to have revitalised them and I will always be grateful for that experience.
I do accept that band members are getting older, that is a fact, but I do not accept the reasons given for the final electric tour. In all honesty, I belive that the decline in attendance at concerts is the main reason for the announcement. I will not get cynical about a last cash cow etc, partly as I believe that it's their right to do that after the career they have had.
But let's get back to why I am not sad about this. Well simply because it brings a sense of ending and relief that the band wont get further critised for their laziness and that they don't turn into a band that play to audiences of 500 or god forgive on a cruise ship. To some extent if it's over, it's over and I can move on with, well a grieving process, which in this instance will include accepting that the original members will not play again.
But now to the real reason for my letter. I often wonder if more medically could have been done for my father and what could have been, had he not have passed away. And that's what I wonder with quo. I wonder is there still time for some intervention that would at least provide a pallative ending for the band. You can't take back the announcement but you could still influence the ending process and perhaps allow me and other quo fans, time to come to terms with the endings.
Here's how I think it could work. Announce the European tour as planned. Put the tickets on sale and promoise that the band will work on the set list with 5 or 6 additional classics replacing the songs that we all want replaced. Next announce that due to the phenomenal demand that the tour will continue into 2017 and that the original line up will play the final leg of the tour. I would suggest that March and aptil 2017 could be dedicated to this, and that a few special summer gigs will also be facilitated by the original members. Then finally announce that a final gig by the original band will be played at a venue of your choice...outdoor summer..It will attract 25, 000 fans so a suitable venue will be needed.
Now here's the thing, if you take my advice, you will bring the closure to me (and perhaps other fans) that I believe that I deserve. Such an ending will ensure greater attendance at all final gigs where ever they are. I don't mind contributing to the bands final retirement fund, and I will contribute to all aspect of the tour, Christmas, March and summer 2017 but the format has to be right.
Mr Porter, I don't think you have always done a great job of managing the band, but here you have a chance to put some of your wrong right. And I do believe that the job of convincing Francis about this, is what you are paid for.
And one final matter Mr Porter, drop the idea of any further accoustic ventures. You and I know that there is no money in it. Tell Francis to take a few others on a Francis solo tour to do that.
Mr Porter, thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts.
DerryQuo.