The Official Who Thread!

[Patriot07]

Well, I made this thread because I recently obtained most of their discography (From My Generation to The Who By Numbers and Endless Wire). Now, I was a fan before with their greatest hits albums and some other random songs. After listening to most of the albums straight through, I can pretty safely say that they are my favorite band of all time. I know there are probably more skilled musicians out there than Pete Townshend, Roger Daltry, and Keith Moon (there is no one better than The Ox though. That's not up for debate), but for some reason the all worked well together. Pete Townshend was one of the only guitarists to not be a true diva. He let the other members shine past his guitar playing and he fit in well with the rest of the band. Roger Daltry is one of the most soulful vocalists alive. He always say with such conviction that is really odd after listening to music from today's era. John Entwistle was just the man. And Keith Moon was one of the sloppiest players of all time, yet it completely fit their playing style.

So what are some of your favorite songs and live performances and what not?

P.S If this is already a thread, please merge.

[rick]

A couple of years back I got into an argument here on the board over the whole subject of guitar gods, when I pointed out that at one time, Pete Townshend was considered one of the greatest guitar players in the world.

These guys got really upset, because while they thought that Pete was a great songwriter he was just not in the same league as the “greats”, such as Page, Clapton and Hendrix.

Well I’ll admit that for pure precision nobody is better then Jimi and Jimmy. But I still maintain that Townshend is a spectacular guitarist and while time and newer “gods” might have knocked him out of the “pantheon”, he is one of the best guitarists in the entire Rock n Roll era.

As for the rest of the band, say what you will about Mick Jagger or Robert Plant, but Daltrey is probably my all time favorite front man. He just has that amazing voice, plus his no matter how many times I’ve seen him perform, he always seems to be enjoying himself and just having a great time on stage.

And that enthusiasm really counts.

I only ever saw them perform with Keith Moon once, and that was back in 1975, but again, the man was just insane on the skins. I do not agree at all that Keith was sloppy though. Moon could go from just pounding the hell out of his set and then suddenly go into some of the most controlled, quiet percussion you’ve ever heard. Certainly in the history of Rock drummers Keith makes it into the top two or three without much effort.

And then there was John Entwistle, probably the most underrated serious musician of his era. A great bass player, but he also played a mean piano, organ, and about a dozen percussion instruments.

It is really hard for me to pick a favorite Who album though. My first thought was Tommy but that was instantly replaced by Quadrophenia, which is bounced by Whos Next, and on and on.

I do have to say though that I do have a special attachment to Tommy since along with Bowie’s Space Oddity, it was one of the first two “serious” rock albums I ever heard.


Favortie single song though?

Hard to say, but there really is something about Won't Get Fooled Again that always makes me rock out. But then, there are about a dozen more that do the same thing, so I really guess that actually, I just don't know.

[Buried Alien]

A couple of years back I got into an argument here on the board over the whole subject of guitar gods, when I pointed out that at one time, Pete Townshend was considered one of the greatest guitar players in the world.

These guys got really upset, because while they thought that Pete was a great songwriter he was just not in the same league as the “greats”, such as Page, Clapton and Hendrix.

Those guys don't understand that there's more to being a good rock guitarist than simply being a fast finger-flasher. I bet those guys also don't think much of George Harrison and Keith Richards.

The problem with using pure speed and technique as a judge of a rock guitarist's ability is that aside from Page, Clapton, Hendrix, etc., the best guitarists in rock will be those faceless guitarists from those faceless 1980s hair metal bands. Is that *really* the standard we want to see rock guitarists aspiring to?



Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Spike-X]

A couple of years back I got into an argument here on the board over the whole subject of guitar gods, when I pointed out that at one time, Pete Townshend was considered one of the greatest guitar players in the world.

These guys got really upset, because while they thought that Pete was a great songwriter he was just not in the same league as the “greats”, such as Page, Clapton and Hendrix.

Well I’ll admit that for pure precision nobody is better then Jimi and Jimmy. But I still maintain that Townshend is a spectacular guitarist and while time and newer “gods” might have knocked him out of the “pantheon”, he is one of the best guitarists in the entire Rock n Roll era.

Live At Leeds: They play Tommy in its entirety with just drums, bass, and one guitar.

The defence rests.

[Jonathan Bogart]

Wow, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, and/or their management have given their support to this thread? I guess it really is official, then.

[Ilash]

Yay, a Who thread!

They are my third favourite band of all time behind the Beatles and the Stones. The Ox is indeed that great a bass player that I just can't think of anyone in the same league. Keith Moon is, well, Keith Moon. 'Nuff said really. Roger Daltrey is the absolute best arena rock singer along with Ian Gillan (take that all you Plant fans!) and though he may be the least talented member of the band, could you really imagine the 'Oo without him? As for Pete Townshend, he is probably my favourite rock and roll personality - a truly interesting guy, one of rock and roll's greatest songwriters (probably falling only behind Lennon/ McCartney though Jagger/ Richards may have something to say about that), an expressive singer and yes, a phenomenal guitarist. Aside for Hendrix, no one expresses themselves better with a guitar than Townshend. If you want proof as to how good a guitarist he is, just put on Live At Leeds and prepare to be blown away. It's that simple.

Best album: Quadrophenia (followed, in order, by Leeds, Who's Next and Tommy)

Best Song: Tough one but probably Baba O'Reilly

[twilight]

Right up there as one of my favourite bands ever.

Townshend's one of the best guitarists in history.
Daltrey's one of the best frontmen in history.
Moon's one of the best drummers in history.
Entwhistle's just kinda there for me but he's still undeniably great.

The Who to me seem to be one of those rare bands where every member brought their own thing to the music and became a stronger,better group because of it.

[Patriot07]

Entwhistle's just kinda there for me but he's still undeniably great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVl39LBZGMw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXJrFy0kcE4

The Ox says differently