The Who Rocks More than Ever

Tonight, January 30, 2013 I had the privilege of going to see The Who at Staples Center doing Quadraphenia, plus a few other favorites. They were fantastic. Best concert in a long time. Roger Daltrey sang well. Pete Townshend was on fire on guitar and vocals. Simon Townshend was great and got to sing some of Entwhistle's numbers. And Ray Starkey was great on drums. They showed that growing old is just a state of mind, because nobody could have rocked better.  Hardly any talking, just playing hard. And melodic. Nobody can do what they can do.

What was also unique and great about this concert was that it was like Keith Moon and John Entwhistle were there playing with the others. Because when it came time for a Entwhistle solo or a Moon solo, John and Keith did so on the screen, using footage of them doing the solos. Roger and Pete played/acted live with John and Keith, but in the same way they would have played/acted back in the day with them.  It was the best tribute ever. And what a wonderful extended clip of watching Entwhistle's virtuoso finger work. I don't think I've seen that lengthy and detailed showing of what a master he was.

We were treated to a pictorial history of the times the band grew up and matured in, which of course was our history as well. And while none of them wore the Union Jack, there was definitely a red and blue and white motif showing their pride in their homeland.  It was also nice that when they did show the Union Jack flag, it morphed into the Stars and Stripes, showing the bonds between us.

After Quadraphenia was done, they played a few old favorites. I was ecstatic because they played my ultimate all time favorite Who song, "Behind Blue Eyes" -- They sort of ended with their signature end song, "Won't Get Fooled Again."  Which also shows why we'll keep coming as long as they keep playing, because they remind us of what we once were and kick us to be that again.

After "Won't Get Fooled Again" finished, the band left the stage but Roger and Pete stayed. They played a slow heartfelt ballad together while John and Keith's picture was on the screen behind them. It was obviously a special tribute as they have never done anything like this before and I wish I could have heard the lyrics. Unfortunately, there were brainless idiots in the audience around us talking and carrying on through the whole number. I can only hope that somebody puts the lyrics up online somewhere I can find them.

The opening band was Steve Roth and he was good, too.

I'm very grateful to my friend, Steve, for getting me the ticket for my Christmas present. They were great seats and I could see unobstructed through the whole concert. Of course, there is one advantage to having a crowd of mature as well as young people... they actually sit down through most of the concert and only stand up through the special rock'n parts.