The story of “the deaf, dumb and blind kid” reached No 4 in the UK and remains inexorably linked with Tommy, but is strong enough to transcend the rock opera and to even survive a cover by the New Seekers. John Entwistle possessed an incredible ability to turn his bass guitar into a lead instrument, and his work here drives a dynamic song reflecting the conflicted personality of Jimmy, Quadrophenia’s protagonist. Nothing quite like it had ever been heard before and it proved infinitely influential.Īll four members are at the peak of their powers on Quadrophenia’s glorious scene-setter, although it’s tempting to say that “The Real Me” is all about the bass.
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And how far ahead of the game this must have seemed in 1965, with its riot of feedback and distortion midway through. The famous Who harmonies are all over this Top 10 single, which is that rarest of beasts – a Townsend/ Daltrey co-write (the only time they wrote together). Alternatively proggy, hard rocking and melodious, the original quartet’s last hurrah is a fitting epitaph for Keith Moon, who died soon after it was released.ġ4) “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere” (single, 1965) The title refers to a fraught meeting with covetous ex-Beatles and Rolling Stones manager, Allan Klein, prompting Townsend to go on a massive bender with Paul Cook and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols. Regardless, it’s a power-pop classic of adolescent longing. Or as Townsend says, it could simply be about masturbation. A la Peter Ibbotson, he finds comfort in his dreams with the subject of his desires. The powerhouse version of Mose Allison’s “Young Man Blues” found the quartet in their absolute pomp.Ī boy falls in love with a picture of a Vaudeville artist only to be told that she had died in 1929. It marked the end of The Who’s first great era and heralded the beginning of a new one. Read moreġ7) “Young Man Blues” ( Live at Leeds, 1970)įittingly, the band touted by many as the greatest live act of the Seventies released an album capturing everything that made them great in the concert arena. The Daltrey/Townsend vocal tag-team on this beautiful ballad, rescued from the abandoned Lifehouse project, is a delight (with the lyrics possibly referring to the ending of a love affair). One of the many highlights of the masterpiece that is Who’s Next is Pete Townsend’s vocal contributions, his highly affecting lighter voice provides an effective counter balance to Daltrey’s epochal hard rock sound. “Blue, Red and Grey” is rarely mentioned in lists of greatest Who songs, Roger Daltrey is a big fan of this charming low-key number – the eternally self-examining Townsend less so. Composed on the ukulele during a depressed time in his life, the only other instrumentation is the Hovis advert-themed brass, as Townsend sings about the simple joys of life no matter the time of day.ġ8) “The Song is Over” ( Who’s Next, 1971)
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Full of wonderful harmonies, this quirky study of a young man who rejects his mother’s attempts to raise him as a girl is one of Townsend’s most humorous, poignant and unusual songs.ġ9) “Blue, Red and Grey” ( The Who by Numbers, 1975) “I’m a Boy”, with its gender identity theme, was an unlikely No 2 smash.
Sharing the full story, not just the headlinesĪstonishingly, for all their phenomenal achievements, The Who have never had a number one single.
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And it was all possible because of Pete Townsend’s wonderful songs, celebrated here on this list of the 20 greatest Who tracks.Ģ0) “I’m a Boy” (single, 1966) Download the new Independent Premium app
Meanwhile, laid-back bassist John Entwistle just stood and yawned while anchoring the overall sound. Roger Daltrey was the charismatic front man, the manic Keith Moon – dwarfed by his massive drum kit – assailed his instrument, and Pete Townsend’s flailing whirlwind guitar action provided a strong visual focus. The third part of the great triumvirate of English bands of the Sixties (with due respect to The Kinks), The Who were a force of nature both on stage and in the studio. Now in their fifth decade as a recording act, the original quartet remain the quintessential drums, bass, guitar and vocalist rock band. Instead, the band have become one of the many acts who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This week should have witnessed the start of The Who’s UK tour.
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