OT: The WHO Hits 50 (in Chicago) Roll Call
I love The Who. Have since the early 70's.
I saw them in the Pontiac Silverdome back in '81 (or maybe '82 ... can't recall). Then again in 1989.
My one regret is not seeing them during the peak of Keith Moon (~1972 or 1973).
John Entwistle was the greatest rock bass player of all time. Period. All others ride on his shoulders.
Those who claim Keith Moon was "sloppy" don't get it.
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They are not missing anything.
Keith Moon was never "sloppy." but a lot of people who tried to play like him certainly were.
My favorite Who show was the original Quadrophenia tour. The opening act was a relatively "new" band named Lynyrd Skynyrd. I saw the current version at JazzFest last year. They were still a lot of fun, but there is no comparison between now and when they had Moon and Entwistle.
As with a lot of old bands who have one or two members left, I would almost call the current version "The World's Best Who Tribute Band."
I was there, too, for that tripleheader. (Amazing that there are already three attendees in this thread for a show that took place before many here were born ...)
I remember summer heat on a late September day and a day-long party. For some reason the Detroit crowd did not (!) like The Clash at all.
Also, someone in my group managed to sneak bottle rockets by security. He launched a few before the music started. Crazy stupid looking back ... they were enthusiastically received, though.
so when the clash was playing their signature song, 'should i stay or should i go', the crowd would scream 'go!!' so they did.
The acts were, in order: Eddie Money, The Clash, and The Who.
There were long delays between sets.
If memory serves, The Who did not come on stage until close to 10:00pm or later. Many in the place (like me) arrived mid-afternoon.
Also, the Eddie Money act was added close to concert date. The original billing was The Clash and The Who. Adding Eddie Money simply pushed The Who out later.
The Clash were great. They killed "I Fought the Law."
I can't believe I remember this shit. I can't remember yesterday, but I can remember 34 years ago.
i was there too. met a guy from england who was passed out on the bare cement floor of the silverdone. when he came to though, he was pretty funny. i think the conversation got to something like this:
him: i'm supposed to be home (england) in april.
us: no problem, it's october,
him: last april.
us; wow.
him: i'm gonna tell me mum that my watched stopped.
March 10th, 2016 at 10:51 PM ^
was about a week after the kids were trampled to death in Cincinnati. Brought about many changes in the general seating tickets.
I'm 30 and I love The Who. The real question is am I old as hell. After my workout today I feel like it so who's to say.
Im in the middle years, but look and feel much younger (if i do say so myself ). Growing I remember my brother jamming Emeinence Front at full volume. It was hypnotic. Eventually I grew to love it. I have that song in multirack on my hard drive and its fun to listen to how it was recorded.
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I said goodbye to them when they performed Quadrophenia at Rosemont a few years ago. I actually cried after a few songs, remembering that they had gotten me through some difficult teen years back in the late 70's and early 80's. It really was a bittersweet goodbye at that point. I don't think I could do it again.
Quadrophenia is a great, great album.
Side 3 (5:15, Sea and Sand, Drowned, Bell Boy) is nearly flawless.
Other songs -- The Real Me, Cut My Hair, Punk Meets the Godfather, I'm One, Love Reign O'er Me ... all great.
March 10th, 2016 at 11:02 PM ^
Think it was 1979. I remember a lot from Who are You, Townshend beating the hell out of his guitar, and a great light show.
But I agree: Quadrophrenia is one of the greatest albums ever. Even my father (Depression kid, 30 WWII missions, 92 years old now) really likes the instrumentals on it. It is hard to argue with great music.
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go all the way back to the beginning.
March 10th, 2016 at 11:10 PM ^
Took me back to WABX or WRIF while stacking cases of Stroh's at the Blue Front. Really.
March 11th, 2016 at 11:07 AM ^
The beginning wasn't Can't Explain. It was My Generation.
for me,I like The Who songs better when played by Pearl Jam
The Who at age 70 still rock harder than most 20 something bands... We all get older, but rock keeps you young. As a guitarist, I have alot of admiration for Pete. The live tones he gets have always been sick...from Live at Leeds to today.
Zak Starkey, Ringo's son is the drummer.
Trivia ... do you know who John Entwistle cited as a strong influencer of his playing style?
Answer: James Jamerson of Motown.
Entwistle then went on to influence pretty much every bass player later.
March 10th, 2016 at 10:15 PM ^
I got stuck in a long line once behind a Who superfan who was a bit of an insider, who had actually been hanging out with Entwistle in the days before he died, texted with him a lot, knew him and the crew and stuff...
From the account he told, Entwistle was still living the rock star life hard when he went. And holding it down as always on stage. It was publicly known that a groupie woke up to find him dead after a coke bender, but it was a much longer night than that. Couldn't help but respect it.
March 11th, 2016 at 11:05 AM ^
Paul McCartney has said the same thing in several interviews.
March 11th, 2016 at 12:39 PM ^
Yes, Paul McCartney is a clearer example of a direct heir of Jamerson's style.
(Search YouTube for Jamerson "isolated bass" and you'll get a sense for his melodic style ... and McCartney will come to mind as you listen.)
Entwistle's musical background was originally playing jazz trumpet. He later wanted to play lead guitar, but Townshend filled that role. So he took up the bass, played it like a lead guitar, and infused his jazz trumpeting knowledge into it.
March 10th, 2016 at 10:08 PM ^
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Really guys, it took that many posts before this joke? We're slipping
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March 10th, 2016 at 10:10 PM ^
March 10th, 2016 at 10:11 PM ^
Hasn't been The Who since John Entwistle died. Hell, you could even argue it really wasn't after Moon. It's just sad watching Pete and Roger up there still trying to do what they do with a cast of no-names (even if one of them is Ringo's kid) trying to fill in.
/hottake
Hey you kids...get off of my lawn!!
March 10th, 2016 at 10:45 PM ^
March 10th, 2016 at 10:58 PM ^
March 10th, 2016 at 11:01 PM ^
March 10th, 2016 at 11:11 PM ^
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