Moon played the drums like a lead instrument: all syncopated energy, thrashing about with magically controlled fury, filling holes you didn't even know were there; while Entwistle - tall, reserved and stoic - stood there like a pillar moving nothing but his fingers, which flew over the frets faster than the eye could follow.

All of this frenetic motion from the ostensible rhythm instruments required Pete, on guitar, to hold down the rhythmic fort: percussively riffing, bashing out his windmill power chords, and keeping the songs moving forward while the others did their own things. Add to this the iconic ROCK STAR voice, looks, and swagger of Roger Daltrey, and you had one of the most magical live bands of all time. Listen to the holy metallic noise of Live At Leeds and come away converted.

I saw the same tour that Glenn Reynolds mentions here in '89, and I had seen them twice earlier in the '80s and they were all very nice shows: hearing the great old songs, the band still spunky, Roger still belting, Pete still with some hair, but Kenny Jones is no more Keith Moon than Warren Haynes is Duane Allman - some parts just can't be replaced.

Just to quantify this a bit: there is a terrific new 2-CD collection of the Who's best, The Ultimate Collection, that came out recently. All of the great songs are there: "I Can't Explain," "My Generation," "Substitute," "I Can See For Miles," "Magic Bus," on through classics from Tommy, Leeds, Who's Next, Quadrophenia, Who By Numbers, Who Are You, Keith's last. There are 35 songs in the collection. They really are THE BEST OF THE WHO. Only the final two songs - "You Better You Bet" and "Eminence Front" - were recorded after Keith Moon died.

Yet the band has been touring for 24 years now without Keith. I had just seen ads on TV the other night for the upcoming Who summer tour. Guess that will be called off. As much as I loved John, I'm glad the band is finally over. For good. Please stay down now - don't get up again. There hasn't been a real Who in almost 25 years, now let's finally allow the name to rest in peace along with the beloved Keith and John.

6/28/02
I was saddened and surprised by the death of John Entwistle, but I assumed that this would finally end the ritualistic abuse of the Who name that has gone on for 20 years now. Imagine my horror and amazement when I arrived at the office to find this:
THE WHO AT CSU CONVOCATION CENTER FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2002
page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4