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Went to see The Who last week

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Posted on May 23, 2015 at 07:44:55
1973shovel
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Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007






I was on vacation, and didn't get home until yesterday, so this is my first chance to post.

It really was a great concert, far better than I was expecting, given the age of the two members still drawing a breath. Townsend walked on stage and started the show with a big, affected yawn. Whether it meant it was past his bedtime, or he was bored was open to interpretation, but it got a big laugh. Daltrey didn't say much, other than thanking the audience for contributing to the teen cancer fund he's involved with. Townsend, on the other hand, interspersed several short stories between songs, and got more big laughs from the crowd.

They played their hits, and if they left any out, I missed it. There certainly wasn't any leaping about by Pete, and Roger only did one microphone spin /toss/catch that I witnessed. Roger's voice was a bit ragged at times, but Pete's playing was as strong as ever. He even threw in a few arm windmills for effect.

It's been a long time since I've attended a large rock concert at a major venue (in this case, a hockey arena), and I was impressed with how much the sound quality has improved since the sixties, seventies, and even the eighties. I remember a lot of boom and squawk back then. This sounded much nicer.

The audience was the usual mix, but predominately comprised of old geezers like me. More artificial joints in the house than the fun ones, was my assessment. Speaking of times changing, smoking (of any substance) was discouraged by a message on the big video display at the back of the stage. But they did show a drawing of a wedge of cake with a pot leaf on top, on the screen, prior to The Who coming on, which encouraged "Plan B" intake. Like I said, funny how times change. I no longer indulge, but it must be nice to relax during a concert. We were almost always looking over our shoulder at concerts years ago, waiting to get hauled off for burning one.

As an unapologetic Beatle fan, I enjoyed seeing Zak Starkey (Ringo's son) playing drums. He did his Godfather Keith Moon proud. Speaking of which, does anyone know what the plexiglass shield around the drum kit was for? When Pete introduced Zak he was given a big cheer, so it wasn't like he was in danger of being pelted for not being Moon. I was at a loss to explain it. Sound barrier?

Joan Jet and the Blackhearts opened the show. She and her band were very tight [insert vagina joke here], and I enjoyed their set. Joan still looked great, but i freely admit to being drawn to "slut in black leather" type.

I'm glad I went, and as I opened this with, I got more than I expected.

 

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RE: Went to see The Who last week, posted on May 23, 2015 at 08:14:30
eppis1
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Posts: 1114
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: September 21, 2003
 I'm looking forward to seeing them in the Fall, here in Los Angeles. I'm thrilled, actually. Thanks for the detailed description. I'm also thrilled to be going to the Stones concert on Sunday night. My 2 favorites ever, all in one year. Regards

 

Wonderful review, posted on May 23, 2015 at 08:31:54
LWR
Audiophile

Posts: 66808
Location: The woods
Joined: August 12, 2003
 of a great iconic R&R band. 139.50...whew, saw them for very few bucks (I kinda forget how many!) at the Cow Palace when Moonie passed out and Pete asked if anyone in the audience could play drums....this was in 1973. I had seen them starting at Monterey Pop and a few more times at Fillmore West or Winterland. Always a compelling show. Last time I saw PT was when he dropped in at Neil Young's Bridge concert.

 

RE: http://www.drumperfect.com/drum_shield.htm, posted on May 23, 2015 at 09:19:51
hitsware
Audiophile

Posts: 2636
Location: N. Calif.
Joined: December 30, 2004
 ......................

 

Excellent..., posted on May 23, 2015 at 10:38:22
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...first saw them in 1972 on their Who's Next tour, saw them a couple of years ago on their Quadrophenia Tour and will see them again in September.

The thing that impressed me the most a couple of years ago was the shape Daltrey is in - he has the body of a 30 year old.

Anyway, looking forward to it. Thanks for the review.

 

They should change their name to How Many Who..., posted on May 23, 2015 at 17:47:31
musetap
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Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 last I saw them there were only six musicians to try and recreate the sound of the original four.

I see they are up to eight.

Way too many keyboards for a geetar band.

Glad to hear you had a good time!






"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

RE: Went to see The Who last week, posted on May 23, 2015 at 17:54:29
boboli
Audiophile

Posts: 997
Location: Phoenix Arizona
Joined: May 12, 2005
 Saw them perform Tommy in June or July 1970 and I believe my ticket stub said $7.50. Of course I was making $1.80/hr in a record store at the time. Would certainly pay to see them again.

 

RE: "I'm also thrilled to be going to the Stones concert on Sunday night.", posted on May 23, 2015 at 19:05:25
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 I can't blame you for being thrilled. If I had my choice of one, I'd probably choose the Stones over the Who. I've always been more Rocker than Mod, but they're both great bands.

That reminds me of the Lennonism, which they gave to Ringo in A Hard Day's Night:

Reporter: Are you a Mod, or a Rocker?

Ringo: No, I'm a Mocker.








I hope you have a wonderful time at each show!

 

RE: "139.50...whew", posted on May 23, 2015 at 19:12:56
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 Don't forget the "service charges". It cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of $450 for three tickets.

Normally I'd never have considered it, but my niece and sixteen year old great nephew live in Columbus, and when I saw the city line-up I just jumped on the tickets with a spur of the moment decision.

I saw the Who back in Buffalo in the early 1970s. I'm not sure what I paid, but I'm confident it was less than $10 a ticket. Bands used to tour to sell LPs. Now it's a business unto itself.

No regrets about spending the money though. They really were that good.

 

Thanks!, posted on May 23, 2015 at 19:14:51
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 I had a feeling it was something like that. Maybe that's one reason this concert sounded better to me than they used to.

 

You're welcome. I know you're going to enjoy yourself. Please keep us posted! (nt), posted on May 23, 2015 at 19:16:01
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007

 

Agreed, they are both, posted on May 23, 2015 at 19:21:23
LWR
Audiophile

Posts: 66808
Location: The woods
Joined: August 12, 2003
 good and worth it, despite the "service charge".
I recall the Cincinnati stampede that killed 10 or so kids...

 

"We don needed no steenking keyboards at Woodstock, mang!", posted on May 23, 2015 at 19:26:17
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007





I guess they added them so they could play songs like this.

And thanks. Yes, it really was a good time. I've been thinking about "Who's Next" since last week, and need to drag out the LP soon.

 

Ticket prices are insane, posted on May 23, 2015 at 19:34:15
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 Even with inflation considered, they're far more expensive than they used to be. As I posted elsewhere, concerts used to promote album sales. Now they're there to make money.

Below is a link to an old post of mine, which shows some early concert prices. Ahh, the good old days.

 

Cincinnati was on my mind last week, posted on May 23, 2015 at 19:57:57
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 A tragic event in the Who's career, and in no way their fault. "Festival Seating" was banned after that madness, and rightly so.

I also had thoughts of another historic event you mentioned, Moon the Loon passing out at the Cow Palace concert. Things like that seemed humorous at the time (to me, anyway) but in retrospect, it's rather sad. As Townsend says in the interview below, Moon always wanted to entertain people, but he's dead, and he's dead because of drugs.
















 

Looking back , posted on May 23, 2015 at 20:14:34
LWR
Audiophile

Posts: 66808
Location: The woods
Joined: August 12, 2003
 it seemed humorous at the time, now...not nearly so much.
The folly of youth, cheap drugs and R&R.......

 

RE: "The folly of youth, cheap drugs and R&R......", posted on May 23, 2015 at 20:49:14
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 I used to think going out in a blaze of glory would amuse my friends, so in that regard I was similar to what Townsend said about Moon.

I'm very grateful I disappointed my old compatriots by surviving.

 

I love The Who..., posted on May 24, 2015 at 22:02:57
musetap
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Posts: 31879
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 but let's face it, Rabbit Bundrick is all they should "need".

PT may have composed a lot of their tunes on keyboard (and his
early synth programming is fantastic), but they are a (possibly
thee) geetar band.

The Stones went through periods where they rearranged their live shows
around too many keyboard parts and it was horrible. Recent live
stuff I've heard by them seems back to being more guitar driven,
less keyboard dependent, and captures that old magic.

Maybe The Who are better at pulling it off, I just don't want to find out live anymore.

Long Live Rock!




"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

RE: Went to see The Who last week, posted on May 26, 2015 at 09:14:40
Hornlover
Manufacturer

Posts: 2529
Joined: March 8, 2002
 Drums are very loud. The shield is used to control the volume. It lets the crew mike the drums and mix them to the desired level in the house.

 

I figured that was it, posted on May 28, 2015 at 05:38:18
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 And hitsware posted a link earlier in the thread which explained it.

Thanks.

 

.Me too, posted on May 28, 2015 at 05:44:48
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 You make some interesting points, especially in regard to the Stones, and their live shows.

I didn't notice excessive keyboards dominating the mix at the concert, so they seemed to find a balance which worked, at least I thought so.

I just thank God they didn't introduce a horn section into the band. I'm not a fan of horns, in general. Give me an occasional sax, but otherwise, no thanks.

 

RE: Went to see The Who last week, posted on May 28, 2015 at 13:35:37
HarlemAirShaft
 I'll see them at the Oracle Arena in Oakland in September. My wife and I and some friends are all going together and we are all pretty pumped.

A buddy of mine forwarded some info about Roger's voice not dealing well with pot smoke. They postponed a few gigs after their appearance at the New Orleans Jazz Festival (broadcast on AXSTV and worth finding). Another friend said Roger was pissed at the amount of smoke when they played Chicago in May and he chastised the audience about it; and my friend said that his voice didn't sound all that good at first but was solid after a couple of numbers.

One of my sister's old boyfriends was born in Monterey County in 1950 and he's a big fan of The Who and Hendrix......and his older sister offered tickets to Monterey Pop in 1967 but he turned them down......to work on his Trans-Am!

 

RE: "offered tickets to Monterey Pop in 1967 but he turned them down", posted on May 29, 2015 at 06:07:20
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 Ouch! I only have one of those type stories, but it's not nearly of that magnitude. Some friends and I chose to stay at a friend's house to drink beer, and miss the opening act for Alice Cooper. The band we missed? The then unknown ZZ Top.

Townsend mentioned Monterey and Hendrix in his between song banter. I couldn't repeat it verbatim, but he compared Jimi to Kanye West, which caused a large, good natured "Boo!" to emit from the crowd. Townsend said, "Oh, you're only booing him because he's richer than all of us put together."

I hope you enjoy the show as much as I did.

 

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