Who, The

The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic line-up consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century, selling over 100 million records worldwide.

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, and was 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 1983. 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 continue to play live regularly, with Starkey, bassists Pino Palladino (2006–2017) and Jon Button (2017–present), and guitarist Simon Townshend (Pete's brother) serving as touring players. A tour with a complete symphony orchestra, along with the release of a twelfth studio album, both occurred in 2019.

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.

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1957 - 1972

Roles Represented in DAHR: Musical group

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 90 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 115396 11/11/1964 I can't explain Who, The Musical group  
Decca 115397 11/11/1964 Bald headed woman Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116038 1965 I don't mind Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116039 1965 Heat wave Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116040 1965 Daddy Rolling Stone Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116041 1965 Lubie come back home Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116042 1965 Out in the street (you're going to know me) Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116043 1965 Please, please, please Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116044 1965 I'm a man Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116045 1965 Leaving here Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116046 1965 Motoring Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116047 1965 Anytime you want me Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116048 5/3/1965 Shout and shimmy Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116049 5/3/1965 Anyway, anyhow, anywhere Who, The Musical group  
Decca 116915 approximately 12/1/1965-1/31/1966 Instant party Who, The Musical group  
Decca 117178 3/29/1966 Instant party mixture Who, The Musical group  
Decca 117179 3/29/1966 Circles Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119443 10/10/1967 Bone dry Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119518 10/18/1967 I can see for miles Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119562 11/10/1967 (Armenia city) In the sky Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119563 11/10/1967 Heinz baked beans Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119564 11/10/1967 Odorano Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119565 11/10/1967 Tattoo Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119566 11/10/1967 Our love was, is Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119567 11/10/1967 I can't reach you Who, The Musical group  
(Results 1-25 of 90 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Who, The," accessed June 6, 2023, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/350776.

Who, The. (2023). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved June 6, 2023, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/350776.

"Who, The." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2023. Web. 6 June 2023.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/350776

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