Tuesday, July 8, 2008

The Who Plans For VH1 Honors

Rolling Stone has an article up on their website which features Roger Daltrey discussing the upcoming “VH1 Honors The Who” show. Apparently, the band will play “Slip Kid,” which they have not done live since 1976. That song is off one of my favorite albums, By Numbers, from 1975. He also says that he has no idea if it will be shown on television due to the network probably airing the more standard tracks by The Who. The concert takes place Saturday night, however, it will air Thursday July 17. To read the full story, click me. I actually came across this video below on YouTube of The Who performing Slip Kid/Dreaming From The Waist in New York back in 1976.

Keith Moon with Led Zeppelin

Had history been different, Keith Moon and John Entwistle might have been members of Led Zeppelin. Nonetheless, here is a video of Keith Moon joining Led Zeppelin on stage in Los Angeles from 1977. Moonie died in September of 1978.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Woo Hoo For Fans Of The Who

If you’re a fan of The Who like I am, you’ll love what VH1 has planned for the week of July 12 (this comes courtesy of their website):

Legendary. Celebrated. Renowned. The Who. Beginning on Saturday, July 12, VH1 Classic pays homage to The Who with 5 days of exclusive programming leading up to the premiere of "VH1 RockHonors: The Who" premiering on VH1 on Thursday, July 17 at 9:00 PM. The week of exclusive Who programming will feature concerts, programs and movies."Rock Doc Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who" Airs on Saturday, July 12 at 9PM ET/PT"

Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who" is an exhilarating feature-length film about one of the most influential rock bands in history. Spanning over four decades, the film tells the unfolding story of The Who, from the group's origins as a 1960's schoolboy R&B cover band, through their meteoric rise and artistic breakthroughs, to the infighting, the breakups and reconciliations. The film features all-new, never-before-seen interviews with Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and others, rare and recently discovered concert footage, artist profiles and more.

"On Tour: The Who Virtual Ticket" Premieres on Sunday, July 13 at 9 PM EST/PT"On Tour: The Who Virtual Ticket" gives viewers an all-access pass to the lives of one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time, The Who. The cameras will follow the jet setting band as they travel from show to show, and chronicle their daily activities from when they get out of bed until the last chord is played. "Virtual Ticket" will let you see the hard work and preparation that goes into planning a world tour. Fans will get an in depth look as Peter and Roger discuss life as apart of The Who and the ups and downs they have had to face on their long journey to success.

"The Who: Six Quick Ones" Premieres on Monday, July 14 at 9PM ET/PTA feature film and the sister project to "The Story of The Who," "The Who: Six Quick Ones" is a six-part film which integrates sessions with each individual member of the band and links The Who to the Mod and Pop Art movement. It also takes a look into the recording of their latest album. Throughout the episode each member will showcase his musical abilities in the first four segments.

"Classic Albums: The Who 'Who's Next' "Airs on Monday, July 14 at 11 PM EST/PT"Who's Next" reigns as 'the' classic album. It demonstrates both the excellent writing abilities of Pete Townshend and in nine tracks shows just why The Who is considered to be the greatest exponent of British rock music. Pete gives a performance to remember when he plays "Pure and Easy," from the" Lifehouse" album for the first time in 20 years. Roger Daltrey reminisces over the negatives of using pre-recorded music during live shows.

"Rock and Roll Picture Show: Tommy" Airs on Tuesday, July 15 at 9 PM EST/PT Tommy is the story about a troubled boy, who, after his father's death withdraws himself from the rest of the world. He soon finds that he has an amazing talent and gains fame by defeating the Pinball Wizard, played by Elton John. The movie chronicles Tommy's rise to fame and fall to shame, meanwhile giving viewers an amazing soundtrack, scored by The Who's "Tommy." Witness a legendary album and watch some of rock and roll's greatest musicians as they bring this 'rock opera' to life. Starring Roger Daltrey, Ann Margret, Elton John, and more.

"Electric Proms: The Who" Premieres on Wednesday, July 16 at 9 PM EST/PT Legendary rock band The Who showcase their musical talents in front of a sold-out London crowd at the Roundhouse. Hit after hit is churned out as each member belt out tunes that leave the crowd ecstatic. Baba O'Riley gets the crowd going with her extended version of "My Generation." Roger Daltrey follows up with his timeless hit "Pinball Wizard" from the 'rock opera' "Tommy" and Pete Townshend shows why he is considered a guitar genius when he performs "See Me, Feel Me" Zac Starkey, Ringo Starr's son, fills in for Keith Moon on the double drum kit.

"VH1 Rock Honors: The Who" Premieres on Thursday, July 17 at 9 PM EST/PT. For the first time ever, fans will have the opportunity to see some of the biggest names in rock together on one stage during the third annual "VH1 RockHonors" event paying homage to legendary British rock band The Who. "VH1 RockHonors: The Who" will deliver a night of high-voltage tribute performances by Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, The Flaming Lips and Incubus all leading up to the spectacular grand finale performance by The Who as they rock the stage.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Who News

I’m not a "gamer" but if there was ever even the slightest and I do mean slightest chance that I would become one it would be because of this piece from rockband.com:

A dozen classic songs by The Who get new life as Rock Band™ game play. MTV Games and Harmonix announced today that even more of the legendary group's greatest hits will be added to the Rock Band catalog of downloadable content with the release of “The Best of The Who Rock Band Edition.”

“We’re really pleased to have our songs featured in Rock Band,” says Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who. “It allows our established fan base to interact with our music in a way that’s fresh and exciting, while also exposing our songs to new audiences.”

“I’m a fan of Rock Band,” says Who guitarist Pete Townshend. “I play the game with my son and girlfriend and love the way it brings different generations together through music. I like the idea that people of all ages will be having fun playing our songs.”

“The Who is consistently one of our most requested bands" says Paul DeGooyer, SVP Electronic Games and Music, MTV, "and it is great to be able to bring this unique compilation of their music to the Rock Band community.”

The 12 songs were selected by Harmonix and MTV Games after consulting with Townshend and Daltrey, who helped curate the track list. The downloadable tracks represent the meaty, beaty, big and bouncy best of The Who, including classics such as “Amazing Journey,”“Baba O'Riley,” “Sea & Sand,” three songs from the classic Live At Leeds album (including a special edited version of “My Generation”) and more.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Two More Great Performances from John"Thunderfingers"Entwistle

The final two videos I am going to post this morning are of The Who performing "My Generation" at Woodstock in 1969 and the band's Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 2000. The latter of which is of John Entwistle's solo during the song "5.15." His bass performance on this song clearly shows why he is "Thunderfingers."

Woodstock 1969


Royal Albert Hall

The Who - "Silas Stingy" written by John Entwistle **MUST WATCH**

The below video, "Silas Stingy," is from The Who Sell Out album and is guaranteed to get stuck in your head. John Entwistle (pictured above in his famous skeleton costume) wrote the song and is the lead vocalist. Whoever put this tribute video together did a great job!

R.I.P. John Entwistle

R.I.P.

"THUNDERFINGERS"

John Alec Entwistle

October 9, 1944 – June 27, 2002