The Who

The Who are an English rock band from London, active from 1964 to the present. Their classic line-up consists of Roger Daltrey on vocals, Pete Townshend on guitar and as principal songwriter, John Entwistle on bass and Keith Moon on drums. The group also includes later and supporting members including Kenney Jones, John “Rabbit” Bundrick, Simon Townshend, Zak Starkey, Pino Palladino, Loren Gold, Frank Simes and Chris Stainton.

Origins and early years

The band develops from an earlier group called the Detours, which Daltrey forms in 1959 and later expands with Entwistle and Townshend. After a short period performing as the High Numbers in 1964, the group adopts the name The Who. During the mid-1960s they become closely linked with the British mod movement and build a reputation for forceful live performances, including on-stage destruction of instruments.

Recording career

The Who’s first single under that name, I Can’t Explain, reaches the UK top ten in 1965. It is followed by a run of successful singles including Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere, My Generation, Substitute, I’m a Boy, Happy Jack and Pictures of Lily. My Generation becomes one of the band’s best-known songs and is later seen as a defining recording of the mod era.

Their debut album, My Generation, appears in 1965, followed by A Quick One in 1966 and The Who Sell Out in 1967. In 1967 they perform at the Monterey Pop Festival and release I Can See for Miles, their only US top ten single. In 1969 they issue Tommy, a rock opera and concept album that brings both commercial success and critical recognition; it includes Pinball Wizard and is later adapted into a feature film.

Following Tommy, Pete Townshend begins work on a multimedia project called Lifehouse, which is eventually abandoned. Material from it forms the basis of Who’s Next in 1971, which includes Baba O’Riley, Behind Blue Eyes and Won’t Get Fooled Again. The band also releases Quadrophenia in 1973, a concept album centred on aspects of British mod culture. Later studio albums include The Who by Numbers in 1975, Who Are You in 1978, Face Dances in 1981, It’s Hard in 1982, Endless Wire in 2006 and Who in 2019.

Live reputation and major performances

The Who become known for large-scale live performances and are associated with developments in live sound reinforcement, the use of synthesisers in rock music, and distinctive instrumental techniques used by Townshend, Entwistle and Moon. Their live album Live at Leeds from 1970 is often cited among notable live rock recordings. The band’s festival appearances, including Woodstock and the Isle of Wight Festival, contribute to their international profile.

Line-up changes and later years

Keith Moon dies in 1978 and is replaced by Kenney Jones, formerly of the Small Faces and Faces. The band resumes touring and releases the films Quadrophenia and The Kids Are Alright in 1979. Internal disagreements over the group’s future lead to their dissolution in 1983 when Townshend announces his departure.

Although regular activity ends, The Who reunite several times. They perform at Live Aid in 1985 and tour for their 25th anniversary in 1989 with Simon Phillips on drums. In 1996 and 1997, Daltrey, Townshend and Entwistle tour with a live presentation of Quadrophenia featuring Zak Starkey on drums. A more permanent reunion follows in 1999 with Starkey as the band’s principal drummer. Entwistle dies in 2002, after which Daltrey and Townshend continue with a rotating touring line-up of supporting musicians.

Recognition

The Who are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Their work is widely cited as an influence on artists associated with hard rock, punk rock, power pop and related styles, and they remain one of the most commercially successful and critically recognised groups in rock music.

Selected appearances

In the 21st century, the band continues to tour internationally and appears at events including the Super Bowl XLIV halftime show in 2010 and the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.