The Who, unequivocally one of rock 'n' roll's greatest bands, formed in 1964 in Shepherd's Bush, a district of West London in the Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. The quartet consisted of Pete Townshend, the group's leader, guitarist, songwriter, and backing vocalist, Roger Daltrey on lead vocals, John Entwistle on bass and background vocals, and Keith "Moon the Loon," the notoriously destructive but sensational drummer.
Townshend, Daltrey, and Entwistle were in an R&B group called the Detours, until the other two members quit, and the band enlisted the services of local drummer Keith Moon. Daltrey took over lead vocal duties, and the group changed their name to the Who, though it was briefly changed to the High Numbers. The group, who was building a reputation for excessive partying, released two popular singles, "I Can't Explain" and "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" before releasing their debut LP, the iconic, My Generation (Brunswick/Decca, 1965). Though the album was a bit rushed, it is widely viewed as one of the greatest debuts in rock history. It contains the classic songs, "My Generation" and "The Kids Are Alright." From there, the group would release ten more full-length studio LPs and a staggering nine live albums.
The group's live shows were legendary. The quartet would whip the crowd up to a unabashed frenzy of energy, highlighted by Townshend's bombastic windmill picking style and Keith Moon's frantic, manic drumming. They were also known for inflicting extreme violence on their instruments, culminating with Keith Moon literally blowing up his drum kit on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Their on-stage antics were matched by their pension for off-stage hijinks. Among other things, drummer Keith Moon, allegedly, drove a Cadillac into a swimming pool at a Holliday Inn in Flint, Michigan.
On the 6th of September, 1978, the eccentric drummer passed away due to an overdose of prescription sedative, Clomethiazole. Moon remains an integral part of the Who's legacy and music history. The group has continued to perform with Ringo Starr's son, Zak Starkey, commandeering the skins. However, tragedy struck the group again on the 27th of June, 2002, when founding bassist, John Entwistle, was found dead in his Las Vegas Hotel Room after a cocaine-induced heart attack. Through all the staggering highs and crushing lows, Townshend and Daltrey stand together and continue to tour the world, in the name of the Who and all of rock 'n' roll.
Read more about the Who in Crawdaddy!:
"Between the Lines: An Interview with Keith Moon"
"Part II: Dawson and the Legendary Gig Wagon Races"
"Live Interview: Pete Townshend: Classy and Articulate"
