Here\’s my brief review of last night\’s The Who concert. At 68 years old, these guys still got it. Townsend\’s chops are as solid as ever. His voice is gravely at times, but that\’s to be expected. Daltry was not so solid vocally, but his energy level was more than what I expected for his age.
They performed the entire Quadrophenia double album without missing a lick. I hadn\’t seen an entire concept album live since Roger Waters\’ \”The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking\”, many years ago. It was refreshing to see them touring with a purpose to revive this classic LP, rather than just trot out their greatest hits to fund their retirement.
With video screens to the side and behind the band for the duration of the performance, images of a culture-torn Great Britain during the fifties, sixties and seventies, along with other US and world-based events from the past fifty years, played along with the music.
High points of the main show were 5:15 and Love Reign O\’er Me. The band also did something both nostalgic, honoring and touching by including video and vocals from deceased band members, John Entwistle and Keith Moon, into the show. Not just a tribute, it was though John and Keith were there playing their part for a few minutes each.
After they finished Quadrophenia, the incredibly tight and professional band played Who Are You, Pinball Wizard, Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O\’ Reilly and Won\’t Get Fooled Again.
Pete and Roger once sang \”I hope I die before I get old\” in their ultimate youthful angst-ridden song \”My Generation\”. It didn\’t happen. But I, for one, am glad.