The Who

Vocals: Roger Daltry
Guitar/Vocals: Peter Townsend
Bass/vocals: John Entwistle (deceased)
Drums: Keith Moon (deceased)

The Who started from humble origins, formed in a youth club in Shepherds Bush, London in 1964, originally called The Detours. Original members were Roger Daltry (vocals), Pete Townsend (guitar), Colin Dawson(vocals) and Doug Sandom (drums).

Keith Moon later joined the group ousting drummer Doug, by allegedly jumping on stage, wrecking the kit and declaring “Your drummers crap”. They got themselves a manager, some natty clothes and started recording.

Know for their explosive gigging antics, The Who were studiously avoided by major labels. They released their first proper single ‘I Can’t Explain’ in1965, which reached the UK Top Ten, however it was their third single ‘My Generation’ that brought them the greatest success. Effortlessly capturing the frustration and despair of the angry youth of the time, and went on to define the era.

Following this they released eternal classic ‘The Kids Are Alright’ which spawned a trend of The Who imitators that stretches into the present day. The Who shared an affinity with ‘the mod’ youths who made them their figureheads. The iconic ‘The Who’ sign adorned the parkas of many a mod he drove around on his scooter.

Albums ‘A Quick One’ in 1966 and ‘The Who Sell Out’ earnt them fans in the USA with their uniquely British take on things, culminating in a triumphant appearance at Woodstock in 1969. In the same year they released their semi-autobiographical rock opera ‘Tommy’, which later spawned a film spin off in 1975 and featured the legendary ‘Pinball Wizard’.

Pete Townsend took a break to work on concept album ‘Quadrophenia’ featuring up and coming artists at the time like Sting and Toyah Wilcox. This was also turned into a film in 1979 starring (among others) Ray Winstone and Phil Daniels.

Famed for his erratic, energetic drumming and his bizarre behaviour Keith Moon was the archetypal rock drummer. Forever trashing dressing rooms, drinking massive amounts and misbehaving he once described himself as ‘The best Keith Moon style drummer out there’. He died in 1978 following an overdose of medication to relieve his alcohol addiction.

After Moon’s death The Who considered splitting up for good, but instead recruited Small Faces drummer Kenney Jones as one of a series of replacements. They had a farewell tour in 1983, but returned to play Live Aid in 1985 as Townsend battled his heron addiction. 

Bass player John Entwistle died in 2002 prompting Townsend and Daltry to start work on a new Who album in 2004. Since then they have performed occasional dates, including Live8 and made ‘Tommy’ into an award winning musical. The Who spark instant nostalgia of the era they helped immortalise and continue to inspire awe across the generations.