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 26-50 of 90 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 119568 11/10/1967 Early morning, cold taxi Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119569 11/10/1967 Spotted Henry Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119570 11/10/1967 I'm a boy Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119571 11/10/1967 Someone's coming Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119572 11/10/1967 Relax Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119641 11/29/1967 Silas Stingy Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119642 11/29/1967 Sunrise Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119643 11/29/1967 Rael Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119977 2/23/1968 Call me lightning Who, The Musical group  
Decca 119978 2/23/1968 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Who, The Musical group  
Decca 120562 7/9/1968 Magic bus Who, The Musical group  
Decca 120563 7/9/1968 Someone's coming Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121165 2/18/1969 Pinball wizard Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121166 2/18/1969 Dogs part two Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121447 1968-1969 Overture Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121448 1968-1969 It's a boy Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121449 1968-1969 You didn't hear it Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121450 1968-1969 Amazing journey Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121451 1968-1969 Sparks Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121452 1968-1969 Christmas Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121453 1968-1969 Cousin Kevin Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121454 1968-1969 The acid queen Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121455 1968-1969 Underture Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121456 1968-1969 Do you think it's alright Who, The Musical group  
Decca 121457 1968-1969 Fiddle about ; Pinball wizard Who, The Musical group  
(Results 26-50 of 90 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Who, The," accessed June 10, 2023, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/350776.

Who, The. (2023). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved June 10, 2023, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/350776.

"Who, The." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2023. Web. 10 June 2023.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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