Who, The, became one of the most popular British groups in the history of rock music. The Who originally consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend (1945-…), principal vocalist Roger Daltrey (1944-…), bass player John Entwistle (1944-2002), and drummer Keith Moon (1946-1978). Kenney Jones (1948-…) became the drummer after Moon’s death from a drug overdose. Townshend wrote most of The Who’s music. The band’s hit songs include “My Generation” (1965), “I Can See for Miles” (1967), “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (1971), “Baba O’Riley” (1971), “Join Together” (1972), “Squeeze Box” (1975), “Who Are You” (1978), and “You Better You Bet” (1981).
The Who was formed in London in 1964. The group soon became famous for its energetic concert performances, which often ended with the performers destroying their instruments and equipment on stage. The group’s album A Quick One (U.S. title Happy Jack, 1966) featured its first attempt at rock opera. In the late 1960’s, The Who was among the first rock groups to record “concept albums” tied together by a story line or theme. The album The Who Sell Out (1967) was the group’s first concept album. Probably the most popular of these albums is the rock opera Tommy (1969). It was made into a film starring Daltrey in 1975. In 1979, The Who was featured in two motion pictures. One was Quadrophenia, based on a 1973 Who album of the same name. The other was The Kids Are Alright, a history of the group.
In 1982, The Who disbanded, but the members reunited in 1989 for their “25th Anniversary” tour, with Simon Phillips (1957-…) replacing Jones on drums. Members of The Who reunited for benefit concerts during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Drummer Zak Starkey (1965-…), the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, began touring with the band in 1996. Townshend’s younger brother, Simon Townshend (1960-…), joined The Who in 1996 as rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist. After Entwistle died in 2002, Welsh bass player Pino Palladino (1957-…) replaced him. The Who performed at the halftime show of the Super Bowl in 2010. The Who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
