The Who

The explosive sound of '60s rebellion, The Who are recognised as one of the most important bands in the history of rock, acclaimed for pioneering rock operas 'Tommy' and 'Quadrophenia' (which both became movies) and a string of groundbreaking, iconic singles including 'My Generation', 'Substitute' and 'Pinball Wizard'. Pete Townshend, the son of a professional saxophonist, was always the driving force of The Who; an imaginative songwriter who also developed the dramatic, windmilling guitar style and daring use of feedback at the heart of The Who's spectacular stage shows which, early on, often ended with equipment being frenziedly smashed. Roger Daltrey's raucous vocals and Keith Moon's violent drumming and wild personality also helped to establish The Who as a thrillingly innovative band, closely identified with 1960s mod culture. Sadly, Moon died in 1978, but his spot was filled by ex-Faces drummer Kenney Jones and the band continued to stretch the boundaries of rock. Bass player John Entwistle died in 2002, but Townshend and Daltrey still kept the band going, with the help of Entwistle's son Christopher. After touring extensively around the world, The Who revealed their plans to write and record brand new material. 'Endless Wire', their 2006 album, stemmed from Townshend's novella 'The Boy Who Heard Music' which was developed into the mini-opera 'Wire & Glass' and eventually inspired the album. 'Endless Wire' rocketed them back up the charts with a top ten spot in both the UK and the US. After 50 years in the business, The Who announced their final tour. They began by headlining Hyde Park Festival in 2015 followed by Glastonbury, and they released all of their studio albums on a compilation titled 'The Who Hits 50!'. They released a brand new single taken from the album, 'Be Lucky', from which all the royalties were donated to Teen Cancer America. Finding it hard to stay away, they began their 'Back to The Who Tour 51!' in 2016 which saw them play further dates up and down the UK and across America. In 2019, The Who returned with their 12th studio album, 'WHO'. It includes the singles 'Ball and Chain' - a rework of Townshend's own solo track 'Guantanamo' - 'All This Music Must Fade' and 'I Don't Wanna Get Wise'. The band will also undertake a supporting tour of the UK and Ireland in 2020.

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