Thee 'Orrible 'OO, The World's Worst Rock'n'Roll Band. Rogered Adultery.

[John Battles]

It's been brought to my attention that , while we've had some interesting ongoing discussions about The Stones , The Who seldom if ever comes up here...

If anyone wants to talk about The Who's (vast) influence on what we now call Garage Punk, OR , JUST ON YOU , PERSONALLY, the floor is open. Sure, I was a wee small lad when they actually broke, but it's important (though painfully obvious) to note that the early Who , like The Pretty Things or The Small Faces , were largely an underground group in the states that a select number of Garage bands drew inspiration from , before the king - size hit , "I Can See For Miles" and the conquest of Monterrey Pop in '67..... 

Two things you're free to take with a grain of salt : Kenny Jones. He killed. Live , at least. He did'nt try to emulate Moon . Yet , he has a bad rap for NOT trying. Only Zak Starkey has pulled that particular stunt off....

And "Call Me Lightning" ,  one of their best R'N'R songs. I've only heard three bands cover it : The (Later ) Flamin' Groovies , Los Johnny Jets (As "Dam Dam" ) and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. Anyone heard any other versions?

[Rockin Rod Strychnine]

Nobody will ever be Keith Moon but I never truly thought it was fair to blame Kenny Jones for the band the way they ended up.  He's competent.  The whole thing is like Pete Best in reverse.  But howabout blaming Pete Townshend for keeping all the good songs for himself on Empty Glass and All the Best Cowboys have Chinese Eyes and giving the band crap.  Not a fan of those songs but I'm not gonna deny they have quality.  Even Emminence Front was a solo song that he put on a Who album.  But Jones' drumming wasn't bad.  It was just different.

[melissa scott]

Yeah, I'm sorry to say, YEAH, couldn't give a damn about anything later either. And I so want to. All that talent in his hands and Townsend just wastes it.

As for Daltry, he really should rethink trying to hit those high notes now. Oh, wow, worst part of last week's performance. Besides him opening his shirt front. *sigh*

Mel

James Porter said:

1965-68 = essential Who

1969-78 = still good, just not great

1981 onward = terrible

[Stiv from Italy]

The Who invented punk rock. Period.

What happened after that (until Keith has been his regular amazing self as a drummer, that means until Live at Leeds, where they invented hard rock), it's just history.

But the renditon of A Quick One on the Rock'n'Roll Circus is the greates live performance ever done by a band. And will never be outlasted.

[John Battles]

God , I know.....If "Face Dances " had been ABOUT as good as "Empty Glass"
, people might have taken it more seriously....Is it a coincidence that the hits on both albums sound alike, tho'? A lot of Pete's songs were works in progress , some of which he'd have The Who perform before they sounded fully realized. People who saw that show in 1980 , the one that I was lucky enough to see , agreed that Jones sounded much better live than on "Face Dances"...."It's Hard" , why even bring it up? I did'nt even try to get a ticket on that tour. Of course , holding the show outdoors in December , with Billy Squier as support , why would I have?   But , The Who were'nt the only major band having a mid-life crisis at the time........
Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Nobody will ever be Keith Moon but I never truly thought it was fair to blame Kenny Jones for the band the way they ended up.  He's competent.  The whole thing is like Pete Best in reverse.  But howabout blaming Pete Townshend for keeping all the good songs for himself on Empty Glass and All the Best Cowboys have Chinese Eyes and giving the band crap.  Not a fan of those songs but I'm not gonna deny they have quality.  Even Emminence Front was a solo song that he put on a Who album.  But Jones' drumming wasn't bad.  It was just different.

[John Battles]

I did'nt need to see Roger's chest , either , but it was'nt Johnny Rotten - awful !!

But......Compared to seeing Springsteen , Roger Waters , Bon Jovi , Billy Joel and Kanye West , seeing Daltrey's gut was'nt SO horriffic. Then again , it was'nt about our entertainment. I'd gladly play on a NY/NJ benefit , but I usually don't get asked to perform for GOOD causes , and , with the apparent gridlock on localized disaster relief (Have you seen Red Cross donation cans at any of your local businesses? Me either , nor for Japan , Haiti or New Orleans.), it does'nt look like this wee small burg , Chicago , will be doing any Hurricane Sandy relief benefits. Hey , I hope I'm wrong.
melissa scott said:

Yeah, I'm sorry to say, YEAH, couldn't give a damn about anything later either. And I so want to. All that talent in his hands and Townsend just wastes it.

As for Daltry, he really should rethink trying to hit those high notes now. Oh, wow, worst part of last week's performance. Besides him opening his shirt front. *sigh*

Mel

James Porter said:

1965-68 = essential Who

1969-78 = still good, just not great

1981 onward = terrible

[Rockin Rod Strychnine]

You Better, You Bet was Ok I guess.  But Athena from the next album was pretty bad.  You're right, why bring it up.
 
John Battles said:

God , I know.....If "Face Dances " had been ABOUT as good as "Empty Glass"
, people might have taken it more seriously....Is it a coincidence that the hits on both albums sound alike, tho'? A lot of Pete's songs were works in progress , some of which he'd have The Who perform before they sounded fully realized. People who saw that show in 1980 , the one that I was lucky enough to see , agreed that Jones sounded much better live than on "Face Dances"...."It's Hard" , why even bring it up? I did'nt even try to get a ticket on that tour. Of course , holding the show outdoors in December , with Billy Squier as support , why would I have?   But , The Who were'nt the only major band having a mid-life crisis at the time........
Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Nobody will ever be Keith Moon but I never truly thought it was fair to blame Kenny Jones for the band the way they ended up.  He's competent.  The whole thing is like Pete Best in reverse.  But howabout blaming Pete Townshend for keeping all the good songs for himself on Empty Glass and All the Best Cowboys have Chinese Eyes and giving the band crap.  Not a fan of those songs but I'm not gonna deny they have quality.  Even Emminence Front was a solo song that he put on a Who album.  But Jones' drumming wasn't bad.  It was just different.

[melissa scott]

Oh, clearly those of us who hang out here are NOT the audience for the majority of those performers. Dino-rock night. Wonder if they had to order the BenGay by the caseload...
Wait, where was I? Oh, the 'OO... it doesn't sit well with me that I only like the early music... I'm still trying to stay loyal, but it's not easy. They really sounded so good last week that I keep thinking, ok, now... AND?... is there new music left in those guys?

John Battles said:

I did'nt need to see Roger's chest , either , but it was'nt Johnny Rotten - awful !!

But......Compared to seeing Springsteen , Roger Waters , Bon Jovi , Billy Joel and Kanye West , seeing Daltrey's gut was'nt SO horriffic. Then again , it was'nt about our entertainment. I'd gladly play on a NY/NJ benefit , but I usually don't get asked to perform for GOOD causes , and , with the apparent gridlock on localized disaster relief (Have you seen Red Cross donation cans at any of your local businesses? Me either , nor for Japan , Haiti or New Orleans.), it does'nt look like this wee small burg , Chicago , will be doing any Hurricane Sandy relief benefits. Hey , I hope I'm wrong.
melissa scott said:

Yeah, I'm sorry to say, YEAH, couldn't give a damn about anything later either. And I so want to. All that talent in his hands and Townsend just wastes it.

As for Daltry, he really should rethink trying to hit those high notes now. Oh, wow, worst part of last week's performance. Besides him opening his shirt front. *sigh*

Mel

James Porter said:

1965-68 = essential Who

1969-78 = still good, just not great

1981 onward = terrible

[John Battles]

There is new music left in 'em , but , it's up to Townsend to cough up the songs. Their last album really was'nt bad , though it took forever to put together , and go quickly forgotten. It was'nt a masterpiece , but , it still beat Hell out of "It's Hard' and "Face Dances".

On the latter LP , which I bought for a quarter (Poster included) several years ago , I still like "Did you Steal My Money", and Entwistle's two songs "You" and "The Quiet One". Not saying they're "It's Not True" or "Call Me Lightning" or anything. I'm just glad I got to see The Who when they were'nt really promoting anything. Of course , my Brother still buried it in my face that he saw them in 1976......My Landlord casually blabbed that he saw them in 1974 , at the Arie Crown Theatre , which holds MAYBE 1500 people (!!!!!) . It's also the site of the first Stones concert in Chicago. I've seen King Dolemite , King James Brown , Queen Lawanda Page , and Heir To The Party Record Throne , WI - I - I- I- I-I - ILDMAN STEVE , there , myself.
 
melissa scott said:

Oh, clearly those of us who hang out here are NOT the audience for the majority of those performers. Dino-rock night. Wonder if they had to order the BenGay by the caseload...
Wait, where was I? Oh, the 'OO... it doesn't sit well with me that I only like the early music... I'm still trying to stay loyal, but it's not easy. They really sounded so good last week that I keep thinking, ok, now... AND?... is there new music left in those guys?

John Battles said:

I did'nt need to see Roger's chest , either , but it was'nt Johnny Rotten - awful !!

But......Compared to seeing Springsteen , Roger Waters , Bon Jovi , Billy Joel and Kanye West , seeing Daltrey's gut was'nt SO horriffic. Then again , it was'nt about our entertainment. I'd gladly play on a NY/NJ benefit , but I usually don't get asked to perform for GOOD causes , and , with the apparent gridlock on localized disaster relief (Have you seen Red Cross donation cans at any of your local businesses? Me either , nor for Japan , Haiti or New Orleans.), it does'nt look like this wee small burg , Chicago , will be doing any Hurricane Sandy relief benefits. Hey , I hope I'm wrong.
melissa scott said:

Yeah, I'm sorry to say, YEAH, couldn't give a damn about anything later either. And I so want to. All that talent in his hands and Townsend just wastes it.

As for Daltry, he really should rethink trying to hit those high notes now. Oh, wow, worst part of last week's performance. Besides him opening his shirt front. *sigh*

Mel

James Porter said:

1965-68 = essential Who

1969-78 = still good, just not great

1981 onward = terrible