News

SEND YOUR NEWSWORTHY VIDEOS TO VIDEOS@NEWSTALK1010.COM

Pete Townshed throws F-Bomb at 7-year old Hamilton fan

Posted By: Newstalk 1010 · 2/22/2013 4:20:00 AM

The Who's Pete Townsend is pushing 70 and apparently getting cranky.

A video on the Toronto Sun website shows Townshend playing concert this week at Hamilton's Copps Coliseum.

Between sets, 7-year old Janey Costello and her dad, Eric, made their way closer to the stage from their seats in the 15th row

A family made space for the pair in their isle and Janey sat on her dad's shoulders, holding up a sign she painted for her rock hero that said:

Smash Your Guitar, Pete!

Apparently Townshend took exception, thinking Janey's dad was 'using' her to get close to the stage.

After telling the two not to 'wave the sign' at him, he told Eric that "I want to tell you two words, but I can't because you have a child on you."

After that, Townshend mouthed the words "F--- OFF" -- to loud cheers from the crowd.

Janey is heartbroken and her dad is insulted.

Eric Costello says he would consider taking his daughter to see The Who again, but only if Townshend washes his mouth out with soap.

Leave a comment:

showing all comments · Subscribe to comments
  1. Greg posted on 02/22/2013 09:38 AM
    Time to f-f-f-fade away Pete. It's over.
  2. Angry Bill posted on 02/22/2013 11:37 AM
    I'm sorta scratching my head over this guy bringing his 7 year old daughter to a Who concert.. or any rock concert. I mean, these guys aren't exactly Sharon, Lois and Bram. Pete probably has a bit of a point. It sounds like the guy WAS using his daughter just to get close to the stage.

    Pete actually showed some restraint by not actually saying the words he was mouthing.. I remember watching a video of a Russel Peters performance.. some of you may have seen the one, and know what I'm talking about.. Russel makes note that this guy brought his kid to a Russel Peters show. To Russel's credit, he didn't change at all because the parent had the bad taste to bring his kid.. Russel said something along the lines of "That kid's going to learn some f'd up s*** tonight". Good for Russel.

    There are places to bring a young kid, and places to not bring them. I mark this down to bad parenting, not bad rock starring. Rock stars are who they are. No pun intended.
  3. Jordan posted on 02/22/2013 12:11 PM
    "who" indeed - meaning, WHO still pays to see The Who? their songs are mostly boring. and the ones that ARENT are never performed.
  4. Julius posted on 02/22/2013 03:42 PM
    Nicely done, Eric, using your child to get attention - first at the concert, then with the media.
  5. eric posted on 02/22/2013 06:50 PM
    i am janey's father. this whole thing has turned into a nightmare.

    while i DO appreciate why people have felt a need to share my story, i feel as though the backlash over this whole pete townshend incident is getting WAY too intense for my own comfort, and being blown WAY out of proportion. i just want the whole thing to go away. now. i've been reading some of the comments out there, and it seems that i'm being accused of exploiting my daughter, which is the LAST thing in the world i would EVER do. my feelings are being hurt, and i certainly do NOT want this getting back to my daughter, in any way. i never meant for this to turn into some internet flame war; i only wanted to share in my disappointment at what had happened.

    i have been doing my best to see that any and all facebook, youtube and blog posts regarding this incident are taken down. it was originally meant to be a private post, explaining to our friends and family what had happened when they were anxious to hear about the show. people have copied and shared the story and photos without my permission, and have even gone so far as to use my daughter's real name in their posts. this is a seven-year-old, and she cannot speak for herself; as her father, i want it all removed. it went way too far, and now other media sites are using her photo without our consent. if it continues, legal action will be pursued against them.

    it was someone seated behind us, who witnessed the whole incident, that initially contacted the toronto sun. WITHOUT my knowledge. when a reporter eventually tracked me down, i told them that i was not comfortable with their running the story. i was told by the reporter and her editor that the story would run with or without my cooperation, and that if i wanted MY side of the story told, i should consent to an interview, which i did. i had hoped this would be an end to it. but i suspect it may not be... my regret is immeasurable.
showing all comments

Videos

Top Stories

Trending