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NY Rock Editorial: The Pete Townshend Controversy
In recent days, a growing list of musicians have issued statements in support of the Who guitarist/songwriter Pete Townshend, who was arrested January 13, 2003 at his London home as part of an ongoing investigation into pedophilia and internet child pornography in the UK. Townshend admitted to visiting a few such websites (for research purposes), and to using his credit card to access content, although he denied downloading anything. The Who leader was not charged with a crime and was released on bail, but he may be required to return for further questioning later this month.
The following editorial was contributed by NY Rock freelancer Gabriella. It is in response to musician Blackie Lawless's press release (below) in support of Townshend.
Gabriella on Pete Townshend and Blackie Lawless
I find it curious that Mr. Lawless calls on religion and accuses the Vatican of having the biggest porn collection in the world. Now, I am not a friend of the Catholic Church, but how does throwing an unfounded accusation at an institution (i.e., the Catholic Church) have any bearing on Townshend's case? Not to mention that the tiniest bit of research would have shown Mr. Lawless that the "porn collection" of the Vatican is an urban myth. The Catholic Church commits enough crimes. If Mr. Lawless wanted to be taken seriously, he could have at least picked one that was true.
Lawless goes on to say that if a man is a good songwriter, he should be forgiven everything and be trusted; he should be above the law. I don't know if Pete Townshend was doing research. But if he was, it leaves much to question. For one, since he seems well versed in finding child porn on the net (those sites are usually well hidden to avoid being busted by cops), then it's difficult to believe he wasn't aware that he was on the wrong side of the law. Furthermore, what kind of "research" does one need to do when it comes to child pornography? A man who was able to write hit songs from scratch has not enough fantasy to picture what child abuse is like? A man who claims he was abused as a child himself doesn't know what child abuse is and goes on the net to look for it? With such claims, one cannot help but consider the fact that many victims of child abuse become abusers themselves.
As for Lawless's accusation that Townshend's friends didn't stand up for him, I think Sir Elton's comment "I hope it is not true" is standing up for him, or is Mr. Lawless advocating to support child abuse when the abuser is a friend? A rather dangerous stance, as it could easily lead to advocating false testimony on behalf of a friend.
Fact is, Pete Townshend admitted that he looked at child pornograhpy. Fact is, viewing child porn is a crime in the UK. No one knows why he did it, but does it change the fact that he committed a crime? As for Townshend's statements that he was doing research, any journalist knows committing a crime in the name of research will not put you above the law.
Indeed, Townshend is a great songwriter, but to say his songs prove his innocence.... Well, "Angie," by the Rolling Stones, is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. But does Mick Jagger's ability to pen a great love song demonstrate his faithfulness as a husband and lover? Pete Townshend is not a target of the authorities because he admitted to accessing child porn on the internet, not because he is a member of a famous rock band.
It is not the songwriter that is accused, it is the person. As such, I hope Mr. Townshend will get a fair trial. As for the publicity factor of it all, musicians don't seem to mind publicity when it comes to selling albums. I'd like to quote Marilyn Manson on that: "Once you are in the public eye, once you become a public person -- a person known to the general public -- there is a price to pay and you have to pay. If you're not prepared to pay up, don't do it." Artists quite like public attention when it suits them (i.e. publicity for a new album or tour). When it doesn't suit them, it suddenly becomes the media's fault. If we subscribed to such ethics, journalists would simply become the mouthpieces of artists and politicians.
In the end, as starry eyed as we may become in the face of celebrities, it helps to be reminded that child pornography is one of the most vile crimes against humanity.
Statement from Blackie Lawless of the rock band W.A.S.P. regarding the Pete Townshend controversy
Judge not lest ye be judged.... I have watched the events in the last few days surrounding the very public arrest of the Who visionary Pete Townshend. I am angered and appalled at the way the news media has made a circus of their portrayal of this case. But they can't really be blamed as they are the same ones that were there covering the crucifixion back in the day. There's nothing to forgive. They "do" know what they do -- they just can't help it. I am really pissed off at the lack of support by artists who owe their very existence to this man. But I am especially aggravated and disappointed at the public distancing by the very musicians who are supposedly closest to him. Elton John: "I hope
it's not true!" You gotta be kidding me. Let ye who is without sin cast the first stone. If it's true that a friend in need is a friend indeed or a man's true wealth is measured by his friends then Pete's gonna have to find some new friends when the dust settles on this one. This brings to mind three very public denials a couple of thousand years ago, which involved another Peter. This time the tables are turned and it's Peter that's being denied. Denied by "friends" that are scared to be considered guilty through association and the ramifications that could possibly go along with it. Oddly enough, it was the disciple Peter that was sent by God to claim what is now St. Peter's Square in Rome. The same St. Peter's Square where the Vatican sits. The same Vatican which houses the largest collection of pornography (including child pornography) in the world. Possessed by the Vatican according to them to "aid them in research" and to "better familiarize themselves in the ways of the world."
I don't think the world could handle any more of their "familiarization."
I learned my craft of writing lyrics from this man. I studied his writings to a point where I knew the man before I ever met him. His spiritual being and beliefs. Without those spiritual beliefs the world would have never heard "Pure and Easy" and "The Song Is Over." But of all the gifts he's given me, the greatest is to tell the truth. Tell the truth no matter how painful, or how it may expose the darkest places in you. Tell the truth and let the whole damn world be their voyeuristic self. All serious writers, all of them, research sources before they put pen to paper. Anyone who has had a personal history of abuse in their past, be it physical or sexual will spend a life time looking for answers. Questions that may never be answered that haunt. The child that still exists in all of us, the child that is frozen in its vulnerability and inability to control the actions of those bigger, stronger and older will spend the rest of its life trying to make sense, to understand the sins of
the father. That being said, I don't believe for one minute Pete Townshend is guilty of anything more than doing the research he said he was doing. I sincerely hope that other musicians and friends of his who believe in him will come forward to show support and rally around this extraordinary man.
I am not afraid; I am proud to voice my feelings here and if there are those who still believe in the things he has stood for -- then come forward now and be heard. Rock is and will always be a target for authority.
He is still my mentor -- I love this man.
In Pete we trust!
Blackie Lawless - W.A.S.P.
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