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The Who

The Who began life as The Detours around 1964, with Roger Daltrey on voclas and lead guitar, John Entwistle on bass and a young Pete Townshend on rhythm guitar. Keith Moon joined later in the same year, replacing Doug Sandon on the drums. It was then that they became The Who (a named given to them by Richard Barnes, an art school friend of Townshend's). The group met Pete Meadon who introduced them to the Mod culture and re-named the band The High Numbers. They released their first single, I'm The Face, which met with some success before changing back to The Who. Meaden left as manager, replaced by Kit Lambert and Chrsi Stamp (brother of actor Terence) and the first Who single was released. I Can't Explain reached the charts in 1965. By the end of that same year, the Who released the anthemic My Generation and so began a run of hit singles such as Anyway, Anyhow Anywhere, Subsitute, Happy jack and Picture of Lily. Success in the UK was followed by a breakthrough gig at Monterey in America in 1967, with the band finishing their set by smashing all their instruments up. By now Townshend had established himself as the group's main songwriter, and during 1968 the group became an worldwide success. However, The Who had yet to establish themselves in the same way as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and it was make or break for the band when they entered the recording studio in late '68. The result was Tommy, and the rest, as they say, was history. The seminal double album was released in 1969, and the group followed it with extensive touring all over the world. An eventual follow up was released, Live At Leeds, regarded by many as the finest live LP ever released, before Who's Next appeared in 1971, featuring Won't Get Fooled Again, behind Blue Eyes and Baba O'Riley. By now the band settled into superstardom, with the newspapers full of stories about Keith Moon's antics. Townshend set about writing another rock opera and Quadrophenia was issued in 1973, but the tour which followed was plagued with tension due to the primitive technology used to play the complex backing tapes used in Quadrophenia. The early seventies saw the Who become an album band, although the occasional single was released. In 1975,the Who charted with Squeeze Box, and their album, The Who By Numbers also released in '75, was more of a Townshend solo LP. The group took time off during late 1976 and Keith Moon appeared to disappear on something of a booze and drugs binge. Whilst The Who released Who Are You in 1978, pictures of Keith Moon showed him to be overweight and bloated. His death in September of that year was not completely unexpected but The Who agreed to carry on, using Kenney Jones to place the drums. Although the band continued to release albums and tour, the official split came in 1982. Townshend was sick of the legacy of the band an desired to pursue a solo career. They did reunite for Live Aid in 1985, and they did come back for a tour in 1989, to celebrate 25 years but it wasn't until the mid-nineties that The Who re-emerged as a coherent unit. Unfortunately, John Entwistle died in 2002, on the eve of a tour but, yet again, Townshend and Daltrey took the brave decision to complete the tour. A new album was rleased in 2006, Endless Wire, to a degree of critical acclaim, and Townshend and Daltrey ocntinue as The Who to this day, with the release of An Amazing Journey, a documentary film of their career, at the end of last year. However, the real visual gem is The Kids Are Alright, from 1979, which is a brilliamt rockumentary ofThe Who, as much funny as it is poignant. Long Live Rock ! TGK


What members say | Filmography

The Who - what members say


  • Isle Of Wight Festival 1970 - Message To Love
  • Rated - 5 stars Peace, love and pandemonium 14 June 2004
    ...e pleads for some respect from the audience. There are bright spots though, The Who, Hendrix and Ten Years After are electrifying; The Doors, Joan Baez, John Sebas...  
  • Who, The - Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970
  • Rated - 5 stars 25 March 2004
    ...This Part of the 3 day IOW festival way back in 1970 had some incredable Acts. The Who, so I have heard wanted to make this a memorable preformance as they were crap a...  
  • Woodstock
  • Woodstock review by from L/Spa
    Rated - 5 stars Groovy 1 October 2004
    ...t have great (live) music from this era; it also interviews spectators and how The Whole thing was organised. The first open air free concert USA 1969. ...  

The Who - filmography


  • Who, The : Amazing Journey - The Story ... (2 discs) on DVD (2007)
    Starring: The Who
    Director: Paul Crowder
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    Spanning four decades, this authorized and definitive anthology of The Who relives their journey from humble beginnings to their meteoric rise to rock legend status in a 2-film DVD set. Filled with all-new interviews with band members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend and music icons Sting, The Edge ..read more »
    Rate this: 4 stars out of 5 80% from 189 members
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  • Live 8 - Paris on DVD (2005)
    Starring: Franz Ferdinand,  Craig David,  Tina Arena
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    A compilation recorded at the Live 8 concert in Paris. The tracklist includes: Franz Ferdinand - 'Come On Home', Muse - 'Bliss', Craig David - 'All The Way', Tina Arena - 'Aller Plus Haut', The Who - 'Who Are You', 'Travis - 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me' and Placebo - 'Twenty Years'.
    Rate this: 2.5 stars out of 5 48% from 90 members
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  • Live 8 (4 discs) on DVD (2005)
    Starring: Paul McCartney,  Coldplay,  Snoop Dogg
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    One concert - two million spectators - three billion viewers! Relive the Live 8 concerts around the world!
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 68% from 2,045 members
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  • Who, The - EP on DVD (2003)
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    Rock legends The Who are captured live on this special edition DVD EP, which contains 4 tracks recorded in the late 1960s for German television: "See Me, Feel Me (Tommy Can You Hear Me)," "I'm a Boy," "Pinball Wizard," and "I'm Free."
    Rate this: 2.5 stars out of 5 46% from 78 members
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  • Who, The - Live In Boston on DVD (2002)
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    Tracklisting details include: 'I Can't Explain', 'Substitute', 'Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere', 'Who Are You?', 'Another Tricky Day', 'Relay', 'Bargain', 'Baba O'Riley', 'Sea And Sand', '5:15', 'Love Reign O'er Me', 'Eminence Front', 'Behind Blue Eyes', 'Your Better You Bet', 'The Kids Are Alright', 'My ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 67% from 308 members
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  • The Who - The Who At Kilburn 1977 (2 discs) on DVD (1977)
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    They are one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands of all time. For over 4 decades they have changed modern music as we know it. But some of their most famous performances have never been released... Until now... On December 15, 1977 The Who performed before a select, invited audience at the Gaumont ..read more »
    Rate this: 4 stars out of 5 81% from 54 members
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  • Who - The Who At Kilburn 1977, The - BLU... (1977)
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    They are one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands of all time. For over 4 decades they have changed modern music as we know it. But some of their most famous performances have never been released... Until now... On December 15, 1977 The Who performed before a select, invited audience at the Gaumont ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 73% from 39 members
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  • Classic Albums - The Who - Who's Next on DVD (1971)
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    WHO'S NEXT is viewed by many as the greatest testimony of the songwriting talent of Pete Townshend--and the musical power of The Who. The story behind how the band came together to make the album titled "Who's Next" is told by the band members themselves and those who were close to the group in ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 72% from 323 members
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  • Who, The - Live At The Isle Of Wight Fes... on DVD (1970)
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: 15
    Concert performance of The Who before a crowd of 600,000 at the third and final Isle of Wight music festival on August 30, 1970. A signature performance by arguably one of the world's greatest ever live acts. Songs include: "I Can't Explain" "Summertime Blues" "My Generation" "Magic Bus" and nearly ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 70% from 391 members
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  • Who - Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival... (1970)
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    New edition of Murray Lerner's film of The Who's legendary performance at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival. Tracklisting: 'Heaven And Hell', 'I Can't Explain', 'Young Man Blues', 'I Don't Even Know Myself', 'Water', 'Medley: Shakin' All Over/Spoonful/Twist and Shout', 'Summertime Blues', 'My ..read more »
    Rate this: 2.5 stars out of 5 45% from 4 members
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  • Isle Of Wight Festival 1970 - Message To... on DVD (1970)
    Starring: The Who,  Jimi Hendrix,  The Doors
    Director: Murray Lerner
    Certificate: Certificate: 18
    An eye-opening, no-holds-barred documentary of 1970's legendary five-day Isle of Wight rock-and-roll festival, featuring the final stage performances of Jimi Hendrix and The Doors with Jim Morrison. Other highlights include The Who's 'Young Man's Blues' and 'Naked Eyes', along with footage of Free, ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 67% from 411 members
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  • Woodstock on DVD (1969)
    Starring: Jimi Hendrix,  Joe Cocker,  The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: 15
    The best rock stars of the sixties captured in some of their most brilliant moments during the communal experience called Woodstock, the most celebrated rock concert of all time. The film version, which runs over three hours, manages to capture the unique spirit of the once-in-a-lifetime event, and ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 69% from 1,301 member
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  • Woodstock - BLU-RAY Version (1969)
    Starring: Jimi Hendrix,  Joe Cocker,  The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: 15
    The best rock stars of the sixties captured in some of their most brilliant moments during the communal experience called Woodstock, the most celebrated rock concert of all time. The film version, which runs over three hours, manages to capture the unique spirit of the once-in-a-lifetime event, and ..read more »
    Rate this: 3 stars out of 5 63% from 30 members
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  • Who, The - 30 Years Of Maximum R 'n' B Live on DVD
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: 15
    This live music home video stars the legendary British rock band The Who in all their glory. Along with over two hours of stunning live material (the Who are notorious for their impassioned and exciting live performances, many of which ended in guitarist Pete Townshend destroying his instrument) ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 72% from 373 members
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  • The Who - Up Close And Personal on DVD
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    There are no harsher critics of The Who's work than the group themselves. This unique DVD review brings together the cream of television and radio archives around the world, plus: Penetrating and insightful interviews with Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwhistle and the irrepressible Keith Moon.
    Rate this: 2 stars out of 5 37% from 9 members
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  • Who, The - Under Review 1964 To 1968 - A... on DVD
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    Offers a critical review of the music of The Who between 1964 and 1968. Tracklist includes: 'I'm The Face', 'I Can't Explain', 'Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere', 'My Generation', 'The Kids Are Alright', 'Substitute', 'I'm A Boy', 'Happy Jack', 'Pictures Of Lily' and more.
    Rate this: 2.5 stars out of 5 51% from 27 members
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  • Who, The - The Vegas Job on DVD
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    This performance was recorded live at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and features Zak Starkey on drums. Tracks include: 'I Can't Explain', 'Pinball Wizard', 'Magic Bus', 'My Generation', ' Who Are You?' and more.
    Rate this: 3 stars out of 5 64% from 163 members
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  • The Who - The Hits on DVD
    Director: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    Tracklisting: 'My Generation', 'I Can't Explain', 'Substitute', 'The Kids Are Alright', 'I'm A Boy', 'Happy Jack', 'Pictures Of Lily', 'You Better You Bet', 'Anyway Anyhow Anywhere', 'I Can See For Miles', 'Magic Bus', 'Pinball Wizard', 'I'm Free', 'See Me, Feel Me', 'Barbara O'Riley', 'Join ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 69% from 63 members
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  • The Who - Can't Explain - The Complete R... on DVD
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    The Who are unquestionably one of the finest acts of the rock generation--alongside the Rolling Stones, they continue to be spoken of as the greatest rock'n'roll band in the world. This film offers unparalleled insight into the band's long-running career through archival footage, and interviews ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 70% from 1 member
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  • The Who - Anyway Anyhow Anywhere
    Starring: The Who
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    This is the true story of The Who in the words of those who best knew the truth: the band themselves. There is no harsher critic of a bands output than the artists themselves, and the members of The Who have always been forthright in their criticism of their own work which has spanned the decades ..read more »
    Rate this: 3 stars out of 5 No ratings yet. Be the first.
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The Who facts


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