Anyone who enjoys music probably has a favorite band or singer. It could be Kiss like this guy or the Beastie Boys getting live on the spot. For me it is The Who, they are an incredible band and live they blow you away. They were raw, loud and in your face. Live they were pure power and nobody past or present can bring it like The Who in their prime. Pete Townshend plays guitar and wrote the songs that the band would become famous for, “My Generation”, “Baba O’Riley”, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. In 1969, he wrote Tommy the first rock opera, which would become a staple of their legendary live shows. Keith Moon was the legendary drummer who was known as the “Loon” for his off the wall behavior, despite his antics the guy could beat the crap out of the drums. He died of a drug overdose and to me The Who has not been the same. John Entwistle, “The Ox”, was the bassist and is widely considered the greatest bass player ever, listen to the bass line on “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, it is tremendous. He died in 2002, of a heart attack and to me this was a bigger loss than Keith Moon. Roger Daltrey is the lead singer and his primal scream on “Won’t Get Fooled Again” is iconic.
After a couple of different drummers The Who finally found a drummer whose style is very similar to Moon’s. Ringo Starr’s son Zak Starkey has been drumming with The Who since 1994 and he has done a great job. As the saying goes you don’t want to be the guy following a legend. I have not heard them play with Entwistle’s replacement Pino Pallidino. My brother, another huge fan, says he is good and I will take his word for it. Townshend and Daltrey although getting older are still touring to large crowds and are releasing a new album later in the year.
The Beatles and Rolling Stones were better studio musicians than The Who but to me the mark of a great band is their live performances. I have a number of favorite Who performances but here are two of my favorites. The first one is from 1968 and The Who’s appearance on The Rolling Stones Rock n Roll Circus. After this special, a tour with the Stones and The Who was going to take place. The Who’s performance blew the Stones out of the water, which prompted them to cancel the tour and lock away the recording of the show for a number of years. The second clip is from the Concert for New York City after the 9/11 attacks, with Zak Starkey on drums. The Who steals the show with their impressive performance and I recommend checking out their entire set from the concert. When viewing these clips make sure the volume dial is set to 11.
I too love The Who. I think Pete is a much better song writer that guitarist. Still Great
I feel, in my heart and soul, that they Concert for New York, while in the post-Moon era, is one of their greatest moments as a band. It is important to remember the mood of the room, all the other acts played somber, relfective, and sad shit. You’e got your James Taylor who could depress a hyenna, and other like minded folk warriors leading the pack. Then the Who go ahead and come out and say “hey fellas, it’s OK to make a little nosie. Have you heard this ditty called Whom Are You?” They were easily the best act of the night, the crowd loved it, and it was a good moment in the post 9-11 what not.
Zak is the best drummer they’ve had since Keith. Pino is good on bass but he couldn’t hold John’s jock. Not a knock on Pino, but that’s how good John is. They aren’t the same without John, but they still put together nice little programs.
And to clarify, Pete is as good a guitarist as he is a songwriter. His playing was always overshadowed by John’s bass, but now that he doesn’t have to compete anymore, I’d put his guitar playing up against anyone’s, even mine.