The Who

Who_-_1975

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The Who
The Who in 1975. Left to right: Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Pete Townshend The Who in 1975. Left to right: Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Pete Townshend
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genres	Rock, hard rock, power pop, art rock
Years active	1964–1983, 1989–present
Labels	Decca, MCA, Polydor, Warner Bros., Universal
Members	Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend
Past members	John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Kenney Jones
Website	thewho.com

The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist and vocalist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century, known for their energetic live performances and pioneering contributions to rock music.

History

Formation and Early Years (1964-1969)

The Who were formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon. Initially performing under the name The High Numbers, they quickly reverted to The Who. Their early work included the hit single "My Generation", which became an anthem for the mod movement.

Rise to Fame (1970-1978)

The band's 1969 rock opera Tommy was a critical and commercial success, establishing them as a leading rock act. They followed this with the albums Who's Next (1971) and Quadrophenia (1973), both of which are considered classics. The Who's live performances, particularly at events like Woodstock and the Isle of Wight Festival, further cemented their reputation.

Later Years and Hiatus (1979-1983)

The death of Keith Moon in 1978 marked a turning point for the band. They continued with drummer Kenney Jones but disbanded in 1983 after a farewell tour. During this period, they released the albums Face Dances (1981) and It's Hard (1982).

Reunions and Recent Activity (1989-present)

The Who reunited in 1989 for a 25th-anniversary tour and have continued to perform sporadically since then. They released the album Endless Wire in 2006 and Who in 2019. The current lineup includes original members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend.

Musical Style and Legacy

The Who are known for their innovative use of synthesizers, power chords, and feedback. They have influenced numerous artists and bands across various genres. Their contributions to rock music include pioneering the concept album and the rock opera.

Discography

• My Generation (1965)
• A Quick One (1966)
• The Who Sell Out (1967)
• Tommy (1969)
• Who's Next (1971)
• Quadrophenia (1973)
• The Who by Numbers (1975)
• Who Are You (1978)
• Face Dances (1981)
• It's Hard (1982)
• Endless Wire (2006)
• Who (2019)

Members

Current Members

• Roger Daltrey – lead vocals, harmonica, rhythm guitar (1964–1983, 1989–present)
• Pete Townshend – guitar, keyboards, vocals (1964–1983, 1989–present)

Former Members

• John Entwistle – bass guitar, vocals (1964–1983; died 2002)
• Keith Moon – drums, percussion, vocals (1964–1978; died 1978)
• Kenney Jones – drums, percussion (1979–1983)

Related Pages

• Roger Daltrey
• Pete Townshend
• John Entwistle
• Keith Moon
• The High Numbers
• Tommy (The Who album)
• Quadrophenia
• Woodstock
• Isle of Wight Festival