Artist: The Who
Genre: Rock
Latest Album: The Who Live in Boston
Background:
Very few bands in the vast history of rock & roll have caused so much anxiety as the Who did. All the band members had contrary personalities as their electrifying performances demonstrated. The band was a whirlwind of activity. They are a hugely popular British rock band which ruled the rock and roll scene in the 1960s and 1970s. The classic line up of the band included:
Pete Townshend (guitar, primary composer, piano & synthesizer), Roger Daltrey (vocals, harmonica), Keith Moon (drummer) and John Entwistle (bass, guitar). They earned many rave reviews for their dynamic performance and thoughtful art-influenced music; their contributions have also recognized as the superb blend of power chord and rock opera.
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Their earlier releases were very special as they boasted short and aggressive pop songs, very well blended with distinctive power chords. The band actually ushered an era of youthful rebellion combined with formative influences on power pop and punk rock. Earlier, they were quite notorious for destroying their musical instrument at the end of shows and auto-destructive art displays. The group suffered a huge loss as Keith Moon one of the band members died. Keith's death brought the sudden end to their classic era.
Unlike other popular rock bands, the Who firmly based their fine rhythm on Townshend’s guitar and Daltrey's vocals. This was the very conducive time for the Townshend and gave some classic tracks like "The Kids Are Alright" and "My Generation," which eventually became teenage anthems; though Tommy earned huge from his mainstream music critics. Well the sudden demise of Keith was a huge loss for the band but they continued their journey though they disbanded in the early '80s but reunited numerous times in the '80s and '90s. It’s all started when high school pals John Entwistle and Pete Townshend realized that they shared same passion for the music. Both used to play together in Dixieland band with Townshend playing banjo and Entwistle playing trumpet. By the early '60s, the passionate pair had formed a superb rock & roll band. In 1963, they were joined by Roger Daltrey, who was a rhythm guitarist. After going through a struggling phase the band released High Numbers one single, "I'm the Face"/"Zoot Suit." In 1964, the band released "You Really Got Me" knockoff, "I Can't Explain" after singing with the Decca records; this album fared well and also grabbed the attention of music lovers.
Their next single "Substitute" peaked at the top ten spot in the British top ten. In 1968, the band released their final mod single "Dogs." After this release, they went through a slump period. In 1969, they returned with double concept album "Tommy," this release was acclaimed as a huge hit and as the first successful album of the rock opera. Their next release "Who by Numbers" earned rave reviews for the band. Though they were climbing the new heights of fame, they went through some deformations and they reunited in 1981 to record their new release "Face Dance," this was their first release since Moon's death. The album was a reasonable hit and earned mixed review. Next year the band embarked on a tour and released "The Live Who's Last." They again disintegrated and reunited in 1985 to play Live Aid. At last Townshend agreed to reunite the group and then hired drummer Simon Philips for the forthcoming tour of US. In 1994, they reunited for two concerts. In 2001, the band played the Concert for the benefit for the families who lost their near ones in the Sept. 11 attacks. In June, 2002, the band regrouped and kicked off a North American tour. The band has an exemplary past full of good music. If you want to experience their music just collect your tickets from your online ticket vendor and be there.
Discography:
Instant Party 1965
Happy Jack 1967
Tommy 1969
Tommy, Pt. 1 1969
Exciting 1974
Odds & Sods 1974
The Who by Numbers 1975
The Kids Are Alright 1979
It's Hard 1982
Who Rocks America 1983
Who's Missing 1985
Who's Better, Who's Best: The Videos 1988
Join Together1990
Who's Zoo Two! 1998
The Blues to the Bush 2000
My Generation [Deluxe Edition] 2002
The Who Live in Boston 2004