The Who: From Thunderous Beginnings to Enduring Legends
MY GENERATION
The Who is a band whose story reads like a chronicle of rock ‘n’ roll itself. From their explosive start in 1964 to their continued influence today, The Who’s journey is a tale of innovation, rebellion, and resilience.
Join In The Band
Comprising Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, the band forged a path that would define the sound and spirit of a generation.
Baba O'riley
The Who’s roots trace back to post-war London, where Roger Daltrey’s group, The Detours, first brought together guitarist Pete Townshend and bassist John Entwistle.
WHO ARE YOU?
When drummer Keith Moon joined in 1964, the lineup was complete, and the band rebranded as The Who. Their early sound drew heavily from rhythm and blues, but their raw energy and willingness to experiment set them apart.
The release of their debut single, "I Can't Explain," in 1965 marked the beginning of their rise to fame. It was followed by hits like "My Generation," an anthem of youthful defiance that captured the zeitgeist of the 1960s. With lines like "Hope I die before I get old," the song resonated deeply with the mod subculture and established The Who as spokespeople for disaffected youth.
Tommy
Pete Townshend’s creative ambition elevated The Who beyond a typical rock band. The group’s 1969 album "Tommy" introduced the world to the concept of the rock opera.
The story of a "deaf, dumb, and blind kid" who becomes a pinball champion, Tommy was both a critical and commercial success. Its ambitious narrative and genre-defying sound proved that rock music could be a vehicle for complex storytelling.
Quadrophenia
Tommy laid the groundwork for other landmark albums, including "Quadrophenia" (1973), another rock opera that explored themes of identity, rebellion, and alienation through the lens of the mod culture. The Who’s ability to weave intricate narratives into their music set them apart from their contemporaries and inspired countless artists.
Keith Moon: The Engine of Chaos
At the heart of The Who’s sound was Keith Moon, whose drumming was as chaotic as it was brilliant.
Known as "Moon the Loon," his explosive energy behind the drum kit was matched only by his offstage antics. Moon’s unorthodox playing style—eschewing traditional rhythms for a whirlwind of fills and flourishes—redefined what a drummer could contribute to a band.
Moon’s larger-than-life personality often led to destruction, from smashing drum kits on stage to demolishing hotel rooms. Yet, his contributions to songs like "Baba O’Riley" and "Won’t Get Fooled Again" were integral to The Who’s sound. His tragic death in 1978, at the age of 32, marked the end of an era for the band.
Won't get fooled again
Following Moon’s death, The Who faced an uncertain future. They recruited drummer Kenney Jones of the Small Faces to fill Moon’s place, but the chemistry was never quite the same. The band released two albums in the early 1980s, "Face Dances" (1981) and "It’s Hard" (1982), before embarking on what was billed as a farewell tour in 1982.
Despite their "farewell," The Who reassembled for various events, including the Live Aid concert in 1985. They officially reunited in the late 1990s, with Zak Starkey—son of Ringo Starr and a disciple of Keith Moon—taking over on drums. In 2006, they released "Endless Wire," their first album of new material in over two decades.
EMMINENCE FRONT
The Who’s influence on rock ‘n’ roll cannot be overstated. They pioneered the art of the concept album, introduced theatricality to rock performances, and pushed the boundaries of what rock music could achieve. Their live shows, known for their energy and destruction of instruments, set the standard for rock concerts.
Bands like Led Zeppelin, The Clash, and Pearl Jam have cited The Who as a major influence, while their use of synthesizers and power chords shaped the sound of hard rock and punk. Songs like "My Generation" and "Baba O’Riley" continue to resonate, inspiring new generations of musicians and fans.
Still Going Strong: The Who Today
Today, The Who’s surviving members, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, carry the band’s legacy forward. They continue to tour, performing both classic hits and new material to audiences worldwide. Their enduring appeal lies in their ability to connect with listeners on a visceral level, blending raw power with emotional depth.
The Who distinguished themselves from other rock 'n' roll bands in several unique ways, making them trailblazers in the genre. Here are some key points that set them apart:
Destructive Stage Presence
The Who popularized the concept of destroying instruments during live performances. Pete Townshend smashing guitars and Keith Moon obliterating drum kits became iconic symbols of rebellion and chaos, turning their shows into high-energy spectacles that went beyond music.
The Concept Album Pioneers
Unlike many rock bands focused solely on singles or thematic albums, The Who embraced the concept album as a storytelling medium. With works like Tommy and Quadrophenia, they elevated rock music into a platform for complex narratives, paving the way for others like Pink Floyd (The Wall) and Green Day (American Idiot).
Keith Moon’s Revolutionary Drumming
Keith Moon redefined drumming by breaking traditional roles. Instead of acting as a metronomic timekeeper, his playing was wild, unpredictable, and melodic, serving as a lead instrument rather than a backdrop. His style has been imitated but never matched.
Synthesis of Power and Intelligence
The Who balanced visceral, high-energy performances with cerebral themes. Pete Townshend’s songwriting often explored deep topics like identity, alienation, and generational angst, giving their music a layered depth that appealed to both raw emotion and intellectual curiosity.
Innovations in Live Sound
The Who were pioneers of modern live sound technology. They were one of the first bands to use massive PA systems and experiment with onstage monitoring, which revolutionized live concerts. Their 1970 album Live at Leeds is still considered one of the greatest live recordings of all time.
Influential Use of Synthesizers
The Who seamlessly integrated synthesizers into rock music, particularly on tracks like “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” Unlike many bands that used synthesizers as mere effects, The Who turned them into driving forces within their music, adding layers of texture and innovation.
Individual Virtuosity in a Cohesive Unit
Each member of The Who was an exceptional musician:
Pete Townshend: A pioneering guitarist and the band’s creative brain, innovating with power chords and feedback.
Roger Daltrey: A charismatic frontman with a powerful voice, embodying the primal energy of rock.
John Entwistle: A bass virtuoso who played like a lead guitarist, contributing to their rich, layered sound.
Keith Moon: A drumming icon whose chaotic genius was essential to their identity.
Despite their distinct styles, their synergy created something greater than the sum of its parts.
Cultural and Generational Spokespeople
While many rock bands wrote about love or rebellion in broad terms, The Who became the voice of the mod subculture and youth disillusionment. Songs like “My Generation” and Quadrophenia directly spoke to societal changes, making them cultural icons rather than just entertainers.
Longevity and Adaptability
The Who have endured for decades, evolving with the times while maintaining their core identity. Few bands from their era have continued to produce and perform with such authenticity and relevance.
Boundary-Pushing Performances
Their electrifying live shows went beyond just playing music; they were immersive experiences. The Who treated every performance like an art form, incorporating theatricality, intensity, and technical precision.
In short, The Who were not just a rock band—they were architects of what rock music could be, blending innovation, emotion, and sheer power in a way no other group had before. Their unique combination of intellect, energy, and showmanship set them apart as one of the greatest and most distinctive bands in rock history.
Athena
The Kenny Jones era of The Who, spanning from 1979 to 1988, marked a transitional phase in the band’s history. After the tragic death of Keith Moon in 1978, The Who faced the daunting challenge of continuing without their iconic and irreplaceable drummer. Kenny Jones, formerly of the Small Faces and Faces, stepped in to fill the role. While this era is often viewed as a departure from the raw chaos of the Moon years, it was also a time of evolution and experimentation for the band.
Kenny Jones Joins The Who
Kenny Jones joined The Who after a period of uncertainty about the band’s future. Unlike Keith Moon’s frenetic and unpredictable drumming style, Jones brought a more steady and disciplined approach. His experience with the Faces had already established him as a respected drummer, but his style was markedly different—more restrained and precise, which changed the dynamic of The Who’s sound.
Key Contributions
1. Albums
During the Kenny Jones era, The Who released two studio albums:
"Face Dances" (1981): This was their first album after Moon’s death and featured hits like "You Better You Bet" and "Don’t Let Go the Coat." The album leaned toward a more polished and radio-friendly sound, reflecting Jones’ influence.
"It’s Hard" (1982): The band’s final studio album with Jones included tracks like "Eminence Front" and "Athena." While not as critically acclaimed as their earlier works, it showcased their ability to adapt to the changing musical landscape of the 1980s.
2. Touring
Jones played with The Who during some of their most significant tours, including the 1979 “Farewell Tour” (despite their later reunions) and major performances like the Concert for Kampuchea. His steady presence allowed the band to maintain their live reputation, even as the performances became more structured compared to the unpredictable energy of the Keith Moon era.
Reception of Kenny Jones
The reception to Kenny Jones’ drumming was mixed. While he was a talented and accomplished musician, some fans and critics felt he lacked the wild, anarchic spark that Keith Moon brought to the band. Pete Townshend later remarked that Jones was an excellent drummer but didn’t quite fit The Who’s high-octane, explosive style. This mismatch was most apparent during live performances, where Jones’ more measured approach contrasted with the unrestrained chaos that fans had come to expect.
It's Hard
The 1980s were a difficult period for The Who. Tensions among band members began to rise, particularly as Pete Townshend grappled with substance abuse and a sense of creative burnout. The band’s dynamic became strained, and their cohesion as a group began to falter. Despite these challenges, they continued to tour and release music, but their output during this era did not achieve the critical acclaim of their earlier work.
End of the Kenny Jones Era
In 1983, Pete Townshend announced he was leaving The Who, effectively putting the band on hiatus. While The Who would reunite several times in subsequent decades, Kenny Jones was not included in the lineups for their major comebacks. Instead, Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr and a student of Keith Moon, became the band’s go-to drummer, bringing a style more aligned with Moon’s legacy.
FACE DANCES - Kenny Jones
Though the Kenny Jones era is often overshadowed by the iconic Keith Moon years, it remains an essential chapter in The Who’s story. It demonstrated the band’s resilience in the face of tragedy and their willingness to evolve. Albums like Face Dances and It’s Hard may not have reached the legendary status of Who’s Next or Tommy, but they contain memorable songs that showcased The Who’s adaptability.
Jones’ tenure also highlighted the enormous impact Moon had on The Who’s identity. His absence underscored just how much his drumming and personality had shaped the band’s sound and ethos. While Jones brought professionalism and stability, Moon’s chaotic brilliance was irreplaceable.
Today, the Kenny Jones era is often appreciated for what it was: a necessary, if imperfect, chapter in the band’s journey, and a testament to their determination to move forward despite immense challenges.
You Better You Bet
After Kenny Jones’ tenure with The Who, which ended in the mid-1980s, the band went through several lineup changes for their subsequent reunions and tours. The most notable replacement in the drummer position, along with other touring musicians, helped redefine The Who's post-Jones era. Here’s a breakdown of the key members who followed Kenny Jones:
1. Zak Starkey (1996–Present)
Role: Drummer
Background: Zak Starkey, the son of Ringo Starr, became The Who's primary drummer in 1996. Notably, he was also mentored by Keith Moon, who gifted him his first drum kit. Starkey’s style is heavily influenced by Moon’s energetic and freewheeling approach, making him a natural fit for The Who.
Impact: Zak brought back some of the manic energy and creative fills that fans associated with Keith Moon’s drumming, while also maintaining technical precision. He has been a key part of The Who's touring lineup and studio work, including the albums Endless Wire (2006) and Who (2019).
2. Simon Phillips (1989)
Role: Drummer
Background: Simon Phillips joined The Who for their 1989 25th Anniversary Tour. A highly skilled session drummer, Phillips had worked with artists like Jeff Beck, Toto, and Mick Jagger.
Style: His playing was precise and technically impressive, but more restrained than either Moon or Starkey. His style suited the more structured performances of the large-scale 1989 tour, which included additional backing musicians and orchestrations.
3. Pino Palladino (2002–2022)
Role: Bassist (replacing John Entwistle)
Background: After the death of John Entwistle in 2002, Pino Palladino stepped in as The Who's bassist. Palladino was a renowned session musician known for his work with artists like Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, and D’Angelo.
Impact: While his style was more understated than Entwistle’s groundbreaking, melodic approach, Palladino provided a solid foundation for the band’s live performances. His smooth and adaptable playing ensured the band’s rhythm section remained strong.
4. Other Touring and Studio Musicians
To round out their sound in later years, The Who incorporated additional musicians:
Jon Button (2017–Present): Bassist who has recently taken over for Pino Palladino during live performances.
Simon Townshend (1996–Present): Pete Townshend’s younger brother, who contributes rhythm guitar, backing vocals, and occasional lead vocals.
Loren Gold (2012–Present): Keyboardist who enhances the band’s live sound.
Frank Simes (2012–Present): Musical director and guitarist/keyboardist.
Core Members Who Endured
Throughout these changes, Roger Daltrey (vocals) and Pete Townshend (guitar, vocals, songwriting) have remained the heart of The Who. They continue to lead the band, ensuring its legacy as one of the most influential rock bands in history.
Modern Era Highlights
With Zak Starkey anchoring the drums and a talented supporting cast, The Who has successfully evolved their live performances while respecting their roots. They remain active, with new music and extensive tours that celebrate their enduring legacy.
The Who’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. From their early days as mods to their status as rock icons, they have left an indelible mark on music history. As they continue to perform, their legacy reminds us of the transformative power of rock ‘n’ roll—a power that The Who helped define and continues to embody.
"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss…"
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