Questions
When and where did The Who form?
The Who formed in London in 1964, evolving out of an earlier band called The Detours.
Who were the four classic members of The Who?
The classic 1964 to 1978 lineup was Roger Daltrey on vocals, Pete Townshend on guitar, John Entwistle on bass, and Keith Moon on drums.
Where did the name The Who come from?
In February 1964, Townshend and his housemate Richard Barnes brainstormed names, and Barnes favored The Who because it reportedly had a pop punch. Daltrey chose it the next morning.
Who wrote most of The Who’s songs?
Pete Townshend was the primary songwriter, though John Entwistle contributed several tracks and became the band’s second songwriter.
What are The Who’s most famous songs and albums?
Early hits include I Can’t Explain, My Generation, and Substitute, and major albums include Tommy (1969), Who’s Next (1971), and Quadrophenia (1973).
Why did The Who smash their instruments on stage?
In June 1964 at the Railway Hotel, Townshend reportedly broke his guitar on the ceiling by accident, and angered by the audience laughing, he smashed it deliberately. Moon then kicked over his drums, and it became their signature act.
What happened during The Who’s Woodstock performance in 1969?
They performed around 5 a.m. on Sunday and played most of Tommy. As they played See Me, Feel Me the sun rose almost cinematically, and Entwistle later said, "God was our lighting man."
Did The Who set any concert records?
Yes. They set a record for the largest indoor concert with 78,000 people at the Pontiac Silverdome on December 6, 1975, and performed one of the world’s loudest concerts at over 120 dB at The Valley on May 31, 1976.
What is Live at Leeds?
Live at Leeds is a 1970 live album that is considered among the greatest live rock albums ever recorded.
Who starred in the 1975 Tommy film?
The star-studded cast included Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Elton John, and Jack Nicholson, and Townshend received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score.
Is it true Keith Moon set off cherry bombs?
Reportedly yes. On a 1967 US tour Moon found cherry bombs were legal in Alabama, and he recalled flushing one down a toilet, saying, "All that porcelain flying through the air was quite unforgettable."
How did a fan end up drumming for The Who?
Reportedly at a Daly City show Moon passed out mid-performance, and an audience member named Scot Halpin filled in on drums for the rest of the concert.
How did Keith Moon die?
Moon died on September 7, 1978, at age 32, after taking 32 tablets of clomethiazole that had been prescribed for alcohol withdrawal.
When did John Entwistle die?
Entwistle died of a heart attack on June 27, 2002, which ended the original classic lineup.
What is The Who’s legacy?
The Who are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and their rock operas revolutionized album storytelling.
