The Who

The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The main lineup from 1964 to 1978 was guitarist Pete Townshend, vocalist Roger Daltrey, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. They became known for their high energy live shows. The Who have sold about 100 million records. Many people think that The Who are the greatest live band of all time.

The Who
The Who in 1975. Left to right: Roger Daltrey (vocals), John Entwistle (bass), Keith Moon (drums) and Pete Townshend (guitar).
Background information
Also known as	The Detours The High Numbers
Origin	London, England
Genres	Rock hard rock power pop
Years active	1964–1983 1989 1996–present (one-off reunions: 1985, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994)
Labels	Brunswick Reaction Track Polydor Decca Virgin MCA Warner Bros. Universal Republic Geffen Atco
Website	thewho.com
Members	Roger Daltrey Pete Townshend
Past members	John Entwistle Keith Moon Doug Sandom Kenney Jones

The Who rose to fame in the United Kingdom with a series of top ten hit singles including: "I Can't Explain", "The Kids Are Alright", "My Generation", "Who Are You", and "Love Reign O'er Me". The albums "My Generation", "A Quick One" and "The Who Sell Out" followed. Their fame grew with memorable shows at the Monterey Pop and Woodstock music festivals. "Tommy," released in 1969, was the first in a series of top ten albums in the United States.

Keith Moon died in 1978. The band released two more studio albums with drummer Kenney Jones before disbanding in 1983. They re-formed at events such as Live Aid and for reunion tours such as their 25th anniversary tour and the Quadrophenia tours of 1996 and 1997. In 2002 planning for recording an album of new material was put on hold after John Entwistle's death at the age of 57. Townshend and Daltrey continued to perform as The Who and in 2006 they released the studio album titled "Endless Wire."

The Who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Discography

Studio albums

• My Generation (1965)
• A Quick One (1966)
• The Who Sell Out (1967)
• Tommy (1969)
• Who's Next (1971)
• Quadrophenia (1973)
• The Who by Numbers (1975)
• Who Are You (1978)
• Face Dances (1981)
• It's Hard (1982)
• Endless Wire (2006)
• TBA (2015)

The Who Media

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  Pete Townshend attended Ealing Art College in west London (pictured in 2010), and his experience there contributed to the Who's career.

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  Plaque at the Goldhawk Social Club in Shepherd's Bush, London marking early performances by the Who

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  The Who's aesthetic grew out of mod subculture with its high fashion, scooters for transport, and shaggy hairstyles.

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  Promotional shot of the Who, 1965

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  Roger Daltrey (left) and Keith Moon, 1967

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  John Entwistle backstage in 1967

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  By the time the Who were touring Tommy, Daltrey's stage image had changed to include long hair and open shirts.

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  Townshend and Daltrey unveiling a blue plaque at Leeds University, where Live at Leeds was recorded in 1970

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  The Who at the Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, 20 November 1971

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  The Who at the Ernst-Mercke-Halle, Hamburg, 12 August 1972

Other websites

• Hear the Who on the Pop Chronicles.