To Who or Not to Who... So The Who are back with a new EP 'Wire & Glass' with an upcoming new album in Septemeber. Pete Townshend & Roger Daltrey are also on the road once again - brandishing their musical weaponary - as The Who. There has been debate as to whether Pete & Roger [with a backing band] are truly 'The Who. Indeed with 2 of the band's [not to mention rock music's] most prolific players dead before their time, it seems a fair question to ask. This argument stems back nearly 30 years when The Who decided to continue after Keith Moon's death. Without Moon's manic drumming & seemingly inhuman feats of brilliance, many felt they should have called it a day at that time. Instead they 'defied' the doubters & returned with Kenny Jones on drums. Their 2 post-Moon albums were not fan favorites. However 'live' they were still the best band on the planet. When John Entwistle decided to join 'The Harpists' up in 'the ether' back in 2002, Pete & Roger faced the same dilemma as whether to continue as The Who. Fortunately they decided to carry on as such. At the end of the day the fact remains that Townshend was & is The Who. Roger Daltrey is the face, voice & translator of Townshend's musical vision. As important as Entwistle & Moon were to the band - the songs & creative-impetus were mostly Townshend's. "Tommy" firmly established this fact back in 1969. So I ask the question yet again. Is it really The Who? Entwistle & Moon without question created the rythmic 'template' that drove the band. Zak Starkey & Pino Palladino have been extremely adept in keeping this crucial element alive in the music. Though not 'founding' members of The Who they have been faithfull to the music. With all that said- in my humble opinion - it's still The Wh0. They have reached 'artistic-maturity' without losing any edge. In 2006 the 'song' is not over...
posted by Bonfire Jones at 9:08 AM
6 Comments:
What an excellent post, Ed! I really like the way you have set out the 'evidence' as it were and drawn your conclusion...a great approach and a worthy decision! Will you be seeing the Who when they are in the States? I must say that from what I've heard, the musicianship on the tour is outstanding, even if sometimes the vocals are a little rougher than they used to be ;-) I'll be taking a good listen to your music again for a review very soon..take care xx Val
Hi Ed,
That is a good question. My answer is, Yes I think Pete & Roger are still "The Who" Even though John & Keith are not here physically, they are here in spirit.
I'm disappointed that I won't be seing them this year. I have to go to a family reunion, which is at the same time as one of their concerts. I just hope I will be able to see them while Pete & Roger are still here.
Thanks Val & Metalchick!
I'll visit your blogs soon! Busy season has begun.... Ed
My busy season has begun too Ed. I listened to all three of your songs again on IAC though, and I have to say they are really good. Funny thing is that two of them, Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda and I don't Need No Holy Man have what I call a real South African feel to them. Before I left SA, there were some great bands on the circuit, and the flavour of their music seems to have echoes in yours. Something to do with your chord progressions and melodies. Of course, that makes me like it even more!
Ed,
Last night at the Rachel Fuller gig you met my best friend, another blogger. I had my suspicions it really was you when she told me about you and your location. I think you showed her your ID ;)
I am currently known as Laura BZ but you know me as Laurie B. and no, Mike and I have not been together for 13 years now...but yes I am still a DeadHead! Say hi to Mark Kerns for me too because if you can't figure out who I am, I trust he will know. I guess I'll be seeing you at Joe's Pub, just a complete blast from the Clifton High School Past. LOL!
PS yes they are still the WHO bc Pete says they are ;-)
Mickey... I'll make an analogy. If Mark, Bob, Dina & I all dropped the Mickey Scott Band - you'd still still be Mickey Scott.
Subsequently, any other musicians that would replace us (hypothetically) it would still be The Mickey Scott Band.
Know what I'm saying? But of course we are your band & lets face facts... Together we are a fucking tight unit! Many of the bands that we've played together with look at us in awe. We are Rock & Roll without apologies...
Love & Onions... Bonfire Jones (your bassist & biggest fan)
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