THE WHO

Formed in 1964 in London the The Who consisted of Roger Daltrey (lead vocalist), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass) and Keith Moon (drums).

One of the most influential bands of the 20^th century they introduced many styles including using large PA systems and guitar techniques. They were part of the mod movement and the first to develop the idea of the rock opera.

Their first single was I Can’t Explain, released in 1965, and a top ten in the United Kingdom. They followed with a string of hits during the 1960s including My Generation (1965), Substitute (1966), Happy Jack (1966), Pictures of Lily (1966), I Can See For Miles (1967), Magic Bus (1968), Pinball Wizard (1969) and I’m Free (1969).

More hits followed in the 1970s and 1980s with Won’t Get Fooled Again (1970), 5.15 (1973), Squeeze Box (1975) and You Better You Bet (1981).

Success in the UK didn’t follow in the USA where I Can See For Miles was the bands only top-ten single.

Surprisingly they never achieved a number one in the UK, and their best chart position was with My Generation and I'm A Boy, both of which reached number two in 1965 and 1966.

Released in 1965, My Generation was the bands first album. Reaching number five in the UK, it failed to chart in the USA where it was issued with the title The Who Sings My Generation. More albums followed, A Quick One (1967), The Who Sell Out (1967), Who’s Next (1971) their only number one album, The Who By Numbers (1975) and Who Are You (1978).

Critical and commercial success came their way with the two concept albums released in 1969 and 1973 with Tommy and Quadrophenia, both reaching number two in the UK and number four and two respectively in the USA. Both albums were adapted into successful movies.

Released in 1975, Tommy is a satirical, fantasy, drama film written and produced by Ken Russell. Based on the rock opera album it told the story of a deaf, dumb and blind kid who becomes a pinball champion. The film featured the band members along with Oliver Reed, Ann Margret, Eric Clapton, Elton John and Jack Nicholson. Awards came Ann Margret's way when she received a Golden Globe for her performance. She was also nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards. Pete Townshend received an Oscar nomination for adapting the music for the film. The film won Rock Movie Of The Year at the First Annual Rock Music Awards in 1975.

Directed by Franc Roddam and released in 1979, Quadrophenia, differed from Tommy in that it wasn't a musical and none of the band appeared in the film. Starring Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Sting, Toyah Wilcox and Mark Wingett it was set in London in 1964, when youths were either mods or rockers. The Mods dressed in sharp suits, rode scooters and were into current pop music while the Rockers rode powerful Triumph and BSA motorcycles, wore black leather and listened to rock 'n' roll. The two factions end up in a violent brawl in Brighton. 

The Who were also a major draw on the concert circuit. In 1967 they played the Monterey Pop Festival and other festival appearances included Woodstock and The Isle of Wight. Several live albums were issued starting in 1970 with Live At Leeds, a number three UK hit, followed by Who’s Last (1984), Join Together (1990), Blues In The Bush (2000) and View From A Backstage Pass (2007).

Some of their earlier concerts were also issued on record with appearances at the Isle Of Wight Festival in both 1970 and 1984 along with a 1970 concert recorded in Hull. Some of the bands BBC Sessions also found a release as did a live performance of Quadrophenia, recorded live in London.

In 1978 drummer Keith Moon tragically died and his place in the band was taken by Kenney Jones. With Townsend’s departure the band split in 1983 although they would reform for occasional appearances including Live Aid in 1985 and a 25^th Anniversary Tour. A full reunion in 1999 found Zak Starkey, son of Beatles drummer Ringo, replace Kenney Jones on drums. Former band member John Entwistle died in 2002 delaying plans for their new album.

The Who continued to tour with a new line up of Roger Daltrey, Zak Starkey, Pino Palladino on bass and Simon Townsend, Pete’s brother, on guitar.

The Who live on stage is where a new book fits into our story. The Who - Concert Memories from the Classic Years 1964 to 1976 is written/compiled by Edoardo Genzolini and published by Schiffer Publishing.

The books format traces the concerts given by The Who during the years 1964 through to 1976 with interviews with and stories from fans who attended the shows along with hundreds of previously unpublished photos from the time. However, it is not only the fans memories as there are stories from promoters, roadies, film-makers, journalists and photographers.

Hundreds of concerts are covered including those in London (1965), Monterey Pop Festival, California (1967), Sydney (1968), Winterland, San Fransisco (1968), Marquee Club, London (1968), Woodstock (1969), New York (1971), Zurich (1972) and many more.

Most of the photos, a mix of colour and black & white, are amateur and in some cases blurry or dark but this just adds to the charm and appeal of the book. 

It is not only the live photos that are interesting. There are many back-stage photos and the occasional tape box or cassette image showing concerts recorded professionally or illegally by fans.

The anecdotes from fans about the concerts they attended are the main part of the book but there are also events from the bands career covered including their early beginnings, the recordings, the impact that both Tommy and Quadrophenia had on the public and what is considered by fans and critics alike to be their greatest album, Who's Next.

Author Edoardo Genzolini has amassed an incredible amount of details from all over the world and his dedication and enthusiasm shows in every page.

In an email to the books editor and contributor Jerry Goodwin, Pete Townshend wrote, "Edoardo's book looks wonderful. The photos are very special. His take on The Who, and on me, is intriguing and extremely insightful. I wasn't always a pleasant person to be around in the early days. It's good to see that sometimes I managed to do some decent things for fans."

This coffee-table book, about which Pete Townshend described as, "extremely insightful", is beautifully produced and printed on high-quality gloss paper which shows of the photos at their best.

Reading the text and looking at the photos makes you wish that you had been in the audience at one of these gigs... or maybe you were. The book will be well received by fans of the group and anyone interested in 1960s/1970s rock music.

With thanks to Victoria Hansen at Schiffer Publishing Ltd for providing a review copy of the book.