Michael Moore vs the Who

[DeToxRox]

taken from smnnews.com

Rock guitarist Pete Townshend has labelled Michael Moore a "bully" in a public spat over the use of the classic THE WHO song 'Won't get Fooled Again' in the film Fahrenheit 9/11. THE WHO guitarist refused Moore permission to use the song on the end credits of the film. Afterwards, Moore claimed that Townshend did so because he was in favour of the war in Iraq.

On his website, Townshend protests that this is not the case. Instead, he says he refused permission because he was suspicious of Moore's credentials. "When first approached I knew nothing about the content of his film Fahrenheit 9/11. I had not really been convinced by Bowling for Columbine [Moore's previous film] and had been worried about its accuracy. Once I had an idea what the film was about, I was 90% certain my song was not right for them."

He adds, "I greatly resent being bullied and slurred by him in interviews just because he did not get what he wanted from me." Comparing the film-maker's approach with that of George Bush, he says, "It seems to me that this aspect of his nature is not unlike that of the powerful and wilful man at the centre of his new documentary."

Fahrenheit 9/11 ends with excruciating footage of the President struggling to recall a local saying. "There's an old saying in Tennessee," he tells reporters, and then flounders. "I know it's in Texas, probably Tennessee. That says 'Fool me once [pause], shame on .... shame on you. [Long pause] Fool me. [Pause] You can't get fooled again." Moore had intended that THE WHO song then be played over the closing credits. Instead, the film ends to the sound of the NEIL YOUNG's anthem 'Rockin' in the Free World'.


if it was posted, i apologize.

[duckman]

Typical Michael Moore.

[Buddy Grant]

To be fair, here is what Pete Townsend actually said, minus the spin of the article posted:

From http://www.petetownshend.co.uk/diary...=89&zone=diary
7 July 2004
Fahrenheit Moore or Less

Michael Moore has been making some claims – mentioning me by name - which I believe distort the truth.

He says – among other things – that I refused to allow him to use my song WON’T GET FOOLED AGAIN in his latest film, because I support the war, and that at the last minute I recanted, but he turned me down. I have never hidden the fact that at the beginning of the war in Iraq I was a supporter. But now, like millions of others, I am less sure we did the right thing.

When first approached I knew nothing about the content of his film FAHRENHEIT 911. My publisher informed me they had already refused the use of my song in principle because MIRAMAX the producers offered well below what the song normally commands for use in a movie. They asked me if I wanted to ask for more money, I told them no.

Nevertheless, as a result of my refusal to consider the use, Harvey Weinstein – a good friend of mine, and my manager Bill Curbishley – interceded personally, explained in more detail to Bill what the movie was about, and offered to raise the bid very substantially indeed. This brought the issue directly to me for the first time. Bill emailed me and told me how keen Harvey and Michael Moore were to use my song.

At this point I emailed Bill (and he may have passed the essence of what I said to Harvey Weinstein) that I had not really been convinced by BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE, and had been worried about its accuracy; it felt to me like a bullying film. Out of courtesy to Harvey I suggested that if he and Moore were determined to have me reconsider, I should at least get a chance to see a copy of the new film. I knew that with Cannes on the horizon, time was running short for them, and this might not be possible. I never received a copy of the film to view. At no time did I ask Moore or Miramax to reconsider anything. Once I had an idea what the film was about I was 90% certain my song was not right for them.

I believe that in the same email to my publisher and manager that contained this request to see the film I pointed out that WGFA is not an unconditionally anti-war song, or a song for or against revolution. It actually questions the heart of democracy: we vote heartily for leaders who we subsequently always seem to find wanting. (WGFA is a song sung by a fictional character from my 1971 script called LIFEHOUSE. The character is someone who is frightened by the slick way in which truth can be twisted by clever politicians and revolutionaries alike). I suggested in the email that they might use something by Neil Young, who I knew had written several songs of a more precise political nature, and is as accessible as I am. Moore himself takes credit for this idea, and I have no idea whether my suggestion reached him, but it was the right thing to do.

I have nothing against Michael Moore personally, and I know Roger Daltrey is a friend and fan of his, but I greatly resent being bullied and slurred by him in interviews just because he didn’t get what he wanted from me. It seems to me that this aspect of his nature is not unlike that of the powerful and wilful man at the centre of his new documentary. I wish him all the best with the movie, which I know is popular, and which I still haven’t seen. But he’ll have to work very, very hard to convince me that a man with a camera is going to change the world more effectively than a man with a guitar.

Pete

[panerd]

Maybe Moore can trade him some Russian porn site passwords for use of the song.

[yabanci]

This is outrageous!!! How dare Michael Moore bully one of the world's most admired child pornography collecting drug addicts. He should be ashamed of himself. This truly shows that Moore is on the side of evil in the fight against good. Thank you for pointing out this important story.




[note: sarcasm]

[DeToxRox]

I don't remember sharing my personal views on the whole thing .. just posting a resource .. defensive maybe?

[MJ4H]

As long as there are people desperate to draw attention to themselves...

ok i got nuthin

[DeToxRox]

to threadjack my own thread ..

MJ4H .. Razorbacks this year.. Thoughts? I was pumped beyond belief last year when they thumped Texas, it made me take notice of them, and I watched them as much as I could last year. So how are they shapin' up for this year?

[MJ4H]

Not too bad. The weakest is the secondary, but we got a gift from Georgia in a freshman that can play right away probably and is probably going to be a star, so that helps a lot. A lot around here are predicting a down year, but we should be solid again. Maybe not winning a new year's eve bowl game solid like last year, but fairly solid.

[Hurst2112]

Pete Townsend rocks. Michael Moore doesn't.

[judicial clerk]

Didn't the Razorbacks lose a lot on their O-line?

Also, isn't their coach a nutt?

[Samdari]

Further proof that Moore continually passes of his spin on things as the truth.