The Who developed from an earlier group, the Detours, and established themselves as part of the pop art and mod movements, featuring auto-destructive art by destroying guitars and drums on stage. Their first single as the Who, "I Can't Explain", reached the UK top ten, followed by a string of singles including "My Generation", "Substitute" and "Happy Jack". In 1967, they performed at the Monterey Pop Festival and released the US top ten single "I Can See for Miles", while touring extensively. The group's fourth album, 1969's rock opera Tommy, included the single "Pinball Wizard" and was a critical and commercial success. Live appearances at Woodstock and the Isle of Wight Festival, along with the live album Live at Leeds, cemented their reputation as a respected rock act. With their success came increased pressure on lead songwriter Townshend, and the follow-up to Tommy, Lifehouse, was abandoned. Songs from the project made up 1971's Who's Next, which included the hit "Won't Get Fooled Again". The group released the album Quadrophenia in 1973 as a celebration of their mod roots, and oversaw the film adaptation of Tommy in 1975. They continued to tour to large audiences before semi-retiring from live performances at the end of 1976. The release of Who Are You in 1978 was overshadowed by the death of Moon shortly after.
Kenney Jones replaced Moon and the group resumed activity, releasing a film adaptation of Quadrophenia and the retrospective documentary The Kids Are Alright. After Townshend became weary of touring, the group split in 1982. The Who occasionally re-formed for live appearances such as Live Aid in 1985, a 25th anniversary tour in 1989 and a tour of Quadrophenia in 1996–1997. They resumed regular touring in 1999, with drummer Zak Starkey. After Entwistle's death in 2002, plans for a new album were delayed. Townshend and Daltrey continued as the Who, releasing Endless Wire in 2006, and continued to play live regularly.
The Who's major contributions to rock music include the development of the Marshall stack, large PA systems, use of the synthesizer, Entwistle and Moon's lead playing styles, Townshend's feedback and power chord guitar technique, and the development of the rock opera. They are cited as an influence by hard rock, punk rock and mod bands, and their songs still receive regular exposure.
The Who is one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century. Their appearances at Monterey and Woodstock helped give them a reputation as one of the greatest live rock acts and they have been credited with originating the "rock opera". The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
The group's contributions to rock include the power chord, windmill strum and the use of non-musical instrument noise such as feedback. The band influenced fashion from their earliest days with their embrace of pop art and the use of the Union Jack for clothing. The guitar-smashing incident at the Railway Hotel in 1964 is one of Rolling Stone magazine's "50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock 'n' Roll".
Pink Floyd began to use feedback from their early shows in 1966, inspired by the Who, whom they considered a formative influence. Shortly after arriving in London in 1966, Jimi Hendrix visited Marshall's music shop demanding an amp setup like Townshend's and manipulated electronic noises in ways that Townshend had pioneered. The Beatles were fans and socialised with Moon in particular during the mid-1960s. In 1965, Paul McCartney said the Who "are the most exciting thing around" and was inspired to write "Helter Skelter" in the group's "heavy" style; John Lennon borrowed the acoustic guitar style in "Pinball Wizard" for "Polythene Pam".
The loud volume of the band's live show influenced the approach of hard rock and heavy metal. Proto punk and punk rock bands such as the MC5, the Stooges, the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, the Clash and Green Day cite the Who as an influence. The Who inspired mod revival bands, particularly the Jam, which helped other groups influenced by the Who become popular. The Who influenced hard rock bands such as Guns N' Roses. In the mid-1990s, Britpop bands such as Blur and Oasis were influenced by the Who. The Who have also influenced pop punk band Panic! at the Disco.
The Who has inspired many tribute bands; Daltrey has endorsed the Whodlums, who raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Many bands have covered Who songs; Elton John's version of "Pinball Wizard" reached No. 7 in the UK.
Life With The Moons
The Who Lyrics
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Wah, well darling, here we are! At home, safe and sound at last.
Ah ah ah ah ah... achoo!
I won't say I don't enjoy 'em -- 'cause I DO -- but why does it always teem down with rain whenever we play an open air festival?
Mind you, I'll give 'em credit, it was well-organized, the stage was very well covered. Pity the artist wife tent blew away in the storm, though.
Achoo!
Still, it was lucky for us we saw Viv Stanshall. He coulda laid there for weeks! Jolly decent of him to mat read (???) for us on the way back though, wasn't it?
Achoo!
You know, girl, all this travelin' about made me think: why don't I do a rock opera based on pilgrim's progress, eh? I could play the part of Charles ??? meself, Daltrey could help me with the hard bits... I did call Leanne at Radio One about it, but they said he was incommunicado. Bleedin' funny time to go on your holidays.
Achoo!
Blimey, I'm stuffy in here! Here, let's get some air in... Ah, ooh, that's much better. Whoa, what's wet clothes when you can breathe God's good air?
Achoo!
Still, let's have a bit of music, eh?
The lyrics of The Who's song "Life With The Moons" are presented as a conversation between Keith Moon and his significant other. The first lines suggest they are entering their home, and after a series of loud sneezes from Keith, he laments the bad weather at recent open-air festivals. Despite the inclement conditions, he acknowledges the stage was well-covered and praises the organizer's efforts. He also recounts a story of finding Viv Stanshall in need of help and the generosity of the band in lending a hand.
Keith's mind then turns to the idea of creating a rock opera based on Pilgrim's Progress, a classic Christian book. He imagines himself playing the part of Charles, but cannot reach Leanne at Radio One to discuss the project. The final lines express Keith's stuffiness and desire for fresh air before he suggests they listen to some music. The song offers a glimpse into Keith Moon's world and his dizzying thoughts, which often meander from topic to topic, much like his frenetic drumming.
The lyrics overall capture the essence of Keith Moon's manic energy and his boundless creativity that often led him to strange and unique ideas. It also shows his appreciation for fellow artists and his generosity in helping others. The lyrics provide insight into Keith Moon's personality and his way of life while he was a member of The Who.
Line by Line Meaning
The BBC present, Keith Moon played by himself, the postman by John Mail, and a sweet, crumbly disc jockey, Johnny Merengue, in "Life With The Moons".
The BBC is airing a show called "Life With The Moons" featuring actor Keith Moon as himself, John Mail as the postman, and Johnny Merengue as a disc jockey.
Wah, well darling, here we are! At home, safe and sound at last.
We have finally arrived home safely.
Ah ah ah ah ah... achoo!
The singer sneezes multiple times.
I won't say I don't enjoy 'em -- 'cause I DO -- but why does it always teem down with rain whenever we play an open air festival?
The artist enjoys playing at open air festivals, but is frustrated that it always rains during their performances.
Mind you, I'll give 'em credit, it was well-organized, the stage was very well covered. Pity the artist wife tent blew away in the storm, though.
The artist gives credit to the organizers of the festival for having a well-covered stage, but laments that the artist wife tent was blown away in the storm.
Still, it was lucky for us we saw Viv Stanshall. He coulda laid there for weeks! Jolly decent of him to mat read (???) for us on the way back though, wasn't it?
The singer believes it was fortunate that they saw Viv Stanshall, who would have been left undiscovered for weeks had they not seen him. He also mentions that it was kind of Stanshall to read a mat (unintelligible word) for them on the way back.
You know, girl, all this travelin' about made me think: why don't I do a rock opera based on pilgrim's progress, eh? I could play the part of Charles ??? meself, Daltrey could help me with the hard bits... I did call Leanne at Radio One about it, but they said he was incommunicado. Bleedin' funny time to go on your holidays.
The singer, after traveling, has been inspired to create a rock opera based on the story of Pilgrim's Progress. He mentions playing the part of Charles himself and having Daltrey help with the difficult parts, but has been unable to get in touch with Leanne at Radio One to discuss the idea further.
Blimey, I'm stuffy in here! Here, let's get some air in... Ah, ooh, that's much better. Whoa, what's wet clothes when you can breathe God's good air?
The artist is feeling stuffy and opens a window for fresh air. They remark that breathing fresh air is more important than having dry clothes.
Still, let's have a bit of music, eh?
The artist suggests listening to some music.
Contributed by Brody C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jake Griffin
all of the bottles falling out of his coat is very funny. damn shame the drummer's gone.
John in Poughkeepsie
I was on holliday driving all over GB that August and had a little radio and was lucky enough to catch Keith on for an hour every wed. evening ( I think). What a great surprise and a good memory. I still have that little Phillips radio in a drawer.
M Hos
"Daltry can help me with the hard bits." CLASSIC!!!
FLoyd Pink
01:06
xMadmax5x
great stuff! thanks for posting! is there anymore of these clips?
John Martin
Had all these on tape,now lost unfortunately, miss moony,miss the real who.
Wattsie
Brilliant - it's not on the BBC website anymore - thanks for this x
Robert Kees
Had he lived it would have been cool to see him in Yellow Beard.
Henkka Goldsmith
@Robert Kees Oh yeah! I remember seeing that video a few years ago maybe and yes Keith is absolutely on fire as he usually was of course!
Robert Kees
@Henkka Goldsmith Hi, I've seen more clips of The Who than I can count, but just the other day I saw for the very first time a clip of them from 1965 live playing My Generation that was just stunning. If you want to see why Keith was a star just watch this clip, all eyes are on him and his performance is off the charts, to say he was a showman is a mild understatement. Check this out and see what you think. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJW_2wLt704