The Who
The Who is regarded as one of the most influential English bands of the 20th Century. The band was formed in 1964 with the following:
- Roger Daltrey (lead vocals)
- John Entwistle (bass guitar)
- Keith Moon (drums)
- Pete Townshend (guitar)
Known to have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, the band gained commercial success and won the respect of many all over the world.
In 1988, the group was honored with a “Lifetime Achievement” award from the British Phonographic Industry and another one from the Grammy Foundation in 2001. Rolling Stone Magazine listed seven of their albums among the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. Furthermore, several of their songs have been included in the aforementioned publication’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
Their iconic classic hit “My Generation” came out in 1965. “My Generation” has over the years appeared in many publications’ lists of the “Greatest Songs of All Time”, including that of Rolling Stone. And in most of these lists, it often appears within the top 20 songs.
A More Detailed Bio
“The Pacesetters of 20th Century rock bands” is the phrase- preference used to describe one of, if not the most influential rock bands of mankind’s ‘tumultuous’ era. The eventful 20th century birthed many talents and gifts in the entertainment industry, out of which came this English rock band with a name that many have sarcastically declared needed a question mark to be complete, The Who.
The blend of talent in each of the founding members is a factor in the career explosion of the British pop and rock band that has reigned for over five decades.
History
This rock band was officially formed in 1964 in London. Before The Who, was ever mentioned, they were identified as the Detours.
The Detours were a skiffle band formed in 1959. The mention of Detours in the birth of the pop/rock band is a necessity in its foundation.
The inaugural team players of the band, Peter Townshend, John Entwistle and Roger Daltrey all grew up in Acton, London.
Peter and Entwistle met in Acton County Grammar School where they became friends in their second year of high school.
Each of these young men at that time had great interest in rock music. Townsend, had a well renowned musician, Sir Clifford Townshend for a father, and Betty (nee Dennis) a singer with the popular Sydney Torch and Les Douglass Orchestras for a mother.
Roger Harry Daltrey started the band named the Detours in 1959, noticed Entwistle and recruited him as the bassist. He in turn recommended Townshend as a rhythm guitarist and he also joined.
Daltrey became the lead guitarist and then the leader of the band. The line-up during that time consisted Roger Daltrey playing the lead guitar, John Entwistle playing the bass guitar, Harry Wilson playing the drums and Colin Dawson on lead vocals.
In mid-1962, the band had been playing covers of instrumentals by the likes of The Shadows and The Ventures.
Harry Wilson was fired and replaced by English drummer, Doug Sandom.
In 1963, lead vocalist Colin Dawson left the band following frequent arguments with Roger Daltrey and was replaced by Gabby Connolly who also left the band unexpectedly. Daltrey became the lead vocalist. With Entwistle’s incitement, Pete Townshend became the group’s solo guitarist.
The group’s sound, by this time had evolved so rapidly that Betty, Peter Townshend’s mother assisted the band in getting a management contract with a local promoter named Robert Druce, who booked the band as a supporting act for certain known British and American.
The band took keen interest in the bands they supported as well, one of them being The Pirates of whom their only guitarist, Mick Green, inspired Pete to combine the playing of his rhythm and lead guitar into his own style.
In 1964, the “Detours” opted to change their name when they found out that another group had been using the same band name.
Townshend had a roommate, Richard Barnes who assisted him in brainstorming a suitable name for the band. Townshend suggested the name “the Hair” while his roommate suggested “The Who”.
The following morning, Daltrey chose Barnes’ suggestion hence the birth of the pop/rock band “The Who”.
Drummer Doug Sandom left the band and was soon replaced by former Beachcombers member, Keith John Moon.
The band regularly played at The Marquee Club where they caught the attention of a prominent figure in English Mod subculture, Peter Meaden, who became their manager in April 1964.
The band’s new name initially confused fans though it was great for publicity. Under the direction of Peter Meaden, the band changed their name to The High Numbers, with a change in style too. As The High Numbers, they released their first single I’m the Face which failed to reach the charts.
They made their TV debut on BBC-TV’s, The Beat Room on the 24th of August. In September that year, Peter Townshend, smashed his guitar by accident at the Railway Hotel in Harrow and in his frustration, he continued to smash his guitar till it was reduced to splinters.
This act was seen as a fierce performance by the band’s fans igniting the most exciting live act ever seen. Keith Moon, a week later smashed his drum-kit in solidarity and after the band realized the popularity and fame-selling records their stage destructive performances produced, they stuck to it and are well recognized for it till date though it took a toll on their finances.
In the last quarter of 1964, Townsend began writing the band’s own songs with “I Can’t Explain” as his first and they signed with independent producer, Shel Tamar’s recording company, Orbit Music.
The band changed its name back to “The Who” again and made major sell-outs from their shows. The years 1965 to 1975 proved abundantly well for the band as their single “I Can’t Explain” became popular reaching the top of charts.
They released their first album “The Generation” in October 1965, a single “I’m a Boy” in 1966 and another “I can see for Miles” which became their best-selling single in the US reaching No. 9 on their charts.
Their next album release, The Who Sell Out in 1968, caused them to attract underground press and by 1970, the band was widely considered as one of the best and most popular live rock bands organizing nerve-wracking concerts.
The release of the album Tommy and the film made from it cemented their future and established them as some of the richest musicians ever.
More Interesting Facts about The Who
The band received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Phonographic industry in 1988 and the same award in 2001.
The band won a place in the Guinness Book of Records for a record attendance in England with between 600,000 and 700,000 attendees to their concert.
Their movie “Tommy” won an award for Rock Movie of the Year during the First Annual Rock Music Awards in 1988 and generated over $2 million dollars in the first month of its release.
After a performance by the band in Flint, Michigan, they caused damages worth $24,000 at a hotel.
On December 3 1979, a crowd crush at one of the band’s gigs at the Riverfront Coliseum resulted in the death of 11 fans.
Following the demise of Keith Moon, the band was determined to excel at what was next for them. They performed their 1996 single Quadrophenia with guest drummer, Zak Starkey.
John Alec Entwistle was found dead after suffering a heart attack in his hotel room in 2002, at age 57.
Brief Conclusion
Though The Who is best remembered for thriving within the 1960s and 1990s, they continue to carry the legacy of being pacesetters, particularly in the hard rock and power pop genres, influencing newer music stars and maintaining their vibrant persona.
Famous Songs by The Who
“5:15”
“A Legal Matter”
“All This Music Must Fade”
“Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere”
“Athena”
“Ball and Chain”
“Be Lucky”
“Behind Blue Eyes”
“Call Me Lightning”
“Dogs”
“Don’t Let Go the Coat”
“Eminence Front”
“Happy Jack”
“I Can See for Miles”
“I Can’t Explain”
“I Don’t Wanna Get Wise”
“I’m a Boy”
“I’m Free”
“It’s Hard”
“It’s Not Enough”
“Join Together”
“La-La-La-Lies”
“Let’s See Action”
“Long Live Rock”
“Love, Reign o’er Me”
“Magic Bus”
“Pictures of Lily”
“Pinball Wizard”
“Postcard”
“Real Good Looking Boy”
“Relay”
“See Me, Feel Me”
“Slip Kid”
“Substitute”
“Summertime Blues”
“The Kids Are Alright”
“The Last Time”
“The Real Me”
“The Seeker”
“Trick of the Light”
“Twist and Shout” (live)
“Who Are You”
“Wire & Glass”
“Won’t Get Fooled Again”
“You Better You Bet”
“Zoot Suit”
