Pete's Blog

Stiggy

stigwood

 

I’m so annoyed that I didn’t try harder to reconnect with my old friend Robert Stigwood before he died. We always had such fun together and he was a grand supporter of The Who and me in particular. He was one of the few men I met who openly confessed to finding me attractive and I was grateful he had the courage to tell me.

His more practical work with and for The Who started in 1966 when we needed a shelter label to release ‘Substitute’ while fighting a court case against Shel Talmy. Robert’s new label Reaction was probably the first real independent UK label coming before our own Track and providing a model.

Later he produced the movie of Tommy and he and I had spoken recently about a possible remake, maybe using animation.

There is no question the Bee Gees were his master stroke, a complex band of brothers each immensely talented in his own way. But Robert’s work as a stage and film producer was what made him unique in the modern music business. He could make decisions quickly and his instincts were so often dead right. A natural producer with a real sense of what the wider public would most enjoy. He had no time for snobbery.

He was also a yachtsman in a style as grand as Onassis or Niarchos, living on board his stunning classic motor yacht for many years, and irritating the tax men around the world as a result.

I’ll always remember him as Stiggy. Funny, sometimes tipsy, always sharp and really unashamedly and joyfully gay. I won’t miss him too much because I’ve been missing him since I last spoke to him about eight years ago. Take my advice: don’t leave it too long to reconnect with cherished old friends. Butt into their lives and be annoying. I wish now I’d tried harder.

Bon voyage, Stiggy.

Pete Townshend
5 January 2016

 

6 thoughts on “Stiggy”

  1. Lynda Grace says:

    Lovely tribute Pete.
    And so right, reconnect with those we care about. At times like this we are reminded.
    I am sorry you have lost your friend.

    x. Lynda Grace

  2. Ted Maloney says:

    Nice tribute.

  3. Lisa Ann Volpe says:

    Well said ❤️

    1. Sixie says:

      Hi Lisa. You are the best Who fan I know. Love and Peace! Todd

  4. Sixie says:

    A wonderful heartfelt tribute and such good advice.

  5. Crystal Hobbs says:

    Thank you for sharing your memories with us Pete. Very kind words and fond remembrances.

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