It’s hard to believe that it’s been 50+ years since The Who first formed. Many of the people reading this review weren’t even born yet, including the writer. Late in the show last night at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, singer Roger Daltrey called guitarist and main songwriter Pete Townshend “one of the greatest composers of the 20th century.” And, when you take a good look at it, he certainly isn’t far off when you consider the entire history of one of the greatest acts in rock n’ roll history.
The Who’s Roger Daltrey Threatens To Walk Off Stage Over Marijuana Smoke
As they took the stage, after a blood-pumping opening set from recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the band went into their first single ever released, 1964’s A-side “I Can’t Explain” and it was clear that, after all this time, The Who is still making a statement.
The first half of the show mainly concentrated on the band’s earlier material, “The Seeker”, “My Generation”, and “Behind Blue Eyes” all serving as a reminder of how deep of a catalog The Who has, and how prolific of a songwriter Pete Townshend was even at an early age (he was 16 when bassist John Entwistle recruited him to join what was then The Detours in 1961). Even the lesser played songs are hits, like “Slip Kid” from 1975’s The Who by Numbers, “I’m One” from Quadrophenia, and the beautiful instrumental “Sparks” off of Tommy. In an effort to be as succinct as possible, you can’t go wrong with The Who.
Songs like “See Me, Feel Me,” the funky “Eminence Front,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Baba O’Riley,” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again” carry as much power behind them now as they ever did. These compositions are timeless, and have straight balls in a live setting. It’s rock n’ roll with no frills. Along with touring band members guitarist Simon Townshend (brother of Pete), Zak Starkey on drums (son Beatle Ringo Starr), bassist Pino Palladino, keyboardists Jon Corey and Loren Gold, and musical director/keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist Frank Simes, both Daltrey and Townshend are able to deliver a powerful performance that will still go down as one of those “bucket list” type experiences.
[via courtesy of tonyrx93]
The Who have had their ups and downs, as any band would over the span of 50 years. They have run the rock n’ roll gamut, if you will: success, in-house fighting, tragedy (Keith Moon‘s overdose in 1978), rebirth, longevity, but most importantly, consistency. Daltrey, Townshend, and company are still going out there and putting on a rock show. Daltrey’s voice continues to boom, Townshend is throwing around those windmills on his guitar as effortlessly as he ever did, and they are playing a 2+ hour, essentially non-stop show, only pausing to tell the occasional witty story.
You have to give credit where credit is due, The Who is not a nostalgia act, they are going out there and bringing it, and they are in their 70’s at this point. You look at acts like The Who, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and even Neil Young, and these guys are putting on longer, and more powerful shows than their younger rock contemporaries. You better you better you bet that these young cats could take a lesson from the likes of Daltrey and Townshend and some of the aforementioned older cats. They simply don’t make them like they used to.
– Chris Meyer
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The Who at Barclays Center Setlist
I Can’t Explain
The Seeker
Who Are You
The Kids Are Alright
I Can See for Miles
My Generation
Behind Blue Eyes
Slip Kid
Bargain
Join Together
You Better You Bet
I’m One
Love, Reign O’er Me
Eminence Front
A Quick One (While He’s Away)
Amazing Journey
(with “Captain Walker” snippet from “Overture”)
Sparks
Pinball Wizard
See Me, Feel Me
(with “Listening To You” and… more )
Baba O’Riley
Won’t Get Fooled AgainÂ
[via moosebrookgundogs]