22 Comments

I knew I could count on you guys. We are officially a shamelessly Who-loving Substack. Pete said his best album was Quadrophenia. Let's vote. I think maybe Tommy. Then I think maybe Quadrophenia. Then I think maybe Who's Next. I think people run the risk of boring people bad when they speak of what hero they interviewed but I INTERVIEWED PETE IN 1993 FOR SPIN AND NEARLY HAD HEART ATTACK. He could not have been kinder, more generous, or more interesting. It took me two years to transcribe it. Ok now I really am boring you. sorry.

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So glad to see this post, as a shameless Who fan from way back myself. It is hard to argue with Tommy as first choice, though the recording quality could have been better. Listening to Pinball Wizard from the Isle of Wight concert makes this very clear to me. Overall, I would go with Who's Next.

Along the lines of the quote you chose, nowadays I often think of the following line: "But you've been told many times before, messiahs pointed to the door, but no one had the guts to leave the temple". Ain't that the truth!

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Okay - just (re)listened to Tommy. A wonderful achievement for Pete and the gang. Gotta let that percolate for a bit before I revisit some of the others. Then I'll vote!

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Quadrophenia has great unity and rocks! Up next, Who's Next.

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WHO Live at Leeds still leads the pack for me. From America, I spent the Spring of 1968 in England on "foreign study", staying in a place on Muswell Hill just a hop, skip, and a jump from a Kinks' place, across the cemetery with a large bust of Karl Marx. I got to see the WHO play in Soho at the Marquee Club shortly after their return from a tour (somehow I came away still able to hear!), then at a technical school (!) in north London, where they did their thing destroying playing equipment at the end of their show, the students there putting on a liquid light show. Them were the days! Thanks for the reverbs!

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Not boring at all. Actually phenomenal you got to do that.

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Here is one of Pete's greatest solo songs. https://youtu.be/w_m8U4uFPEA

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Without a doubt. I love this song. Thank you Andre.

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Hi Celia...I use to like the Who in my younger years but I have to say that this track is not 1 that I am familiar with. Join together was one of the best tracks from this great band IMO.

Happy New Year to you.

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Happy New Year, Celia!

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And I'll see your Pete Townshend and raise you one Frank Zappa. I find this solo a perfect soundtrack to close out 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3cu8sDa90Y

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Probably because it's an awesome song from and awesome album from and awesome band that we used to listen to all the time. Thank you!

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Maybe because you partook?

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Pete Townshend is a genius ❤ and a prophet

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A long time favorite ( the album as well) , thanks for that

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I played that quite a bit all year. :-)

Have you heard this version?

https://youtu.be/-ssLfTdIth4

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That music of 60s and 70s is more prophetic than we have realized for a long time...

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Is there a link online to the interview that you did with Pete? I would love to read that.

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Best version, from best concert ever, Live at Leeds:

https://youtu.be/7tPGivfxBX8

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Tommy, the Opera. What a marvel. I love the Who to this day. I had the great pleasure of seeing them live in London the summer of 1969. Thank you for bringing this song back to my attention Celia on a numerically significant day and year. 21 wasn't a great year. We can hope for better in 22. We can all help make 22 a better year.

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A great album. It has an underlying theme of illumination. The symbolism is rich. Uncle Ernie symbolizes culture/society.

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Want to have some fun? I popped over to YT to listen to this; and, then, ran into a young woman covering Keith Moon's drums on Overture | It's a Boy | 1921 | Amazing Journey - There's a comment down below from William that goes like this: "**Sina! This was THE BEST drum cover of ANYTHING I've EVER seen on YouTube---or---ANYWHERE ELSE!***Happy New Year Baby!** 🤘😍**I drummed in a few bands and I would NEVER EVEN ATTEMPT to play Moon or Baker---You fucking killed it!**"

Jan 1, 2021

21 is gonna be a good year | Tommy • The Who (Medley)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=794JqK9KJKI

--- Enjoy! And, Happy New Year!

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