The Who

You'd think Roger Daltrey would wince every time he sings the line, "Hope I die before I get old," the classic lyric from The Who's defining song, "My Generation." But somehow Roger (born: 3/1/44) and Pete Townshend (born: 5/19/45) manage to carry on.

If it weren't for the roughly 50 or so amazing songs the band produced between 1965 and 1975 -- before Keith Moon's death in 1978, before 11 of the band's fans were crushed to death in Cincinnati in 1979, before the band stopped writing new songs in 1982, before Pete lost his hearing in 1987, before the band SOLD OUT in 1989, before Roger appeared in such roles as Keith Gibson in 1989's "Cold Justice," before bassist John Entwistle died in 2002 -- we wouldn't have any idea what keeps The Who's reputation in a positive light.

But when listening to the group's defining albums, one can instantly understand why many folks still put these guys in a class with the Rolling Stones and Beatles. Check out 1967's Sells Out, 1969's Tommy, 1970's Live at Leeds, and 1972's Who's Next. These are works of one of rock's most influential bands. A group led by one of rock's most outspoken guitar Gods. The combination of Keith Moon's manic drumming, Entwistle's artful bass playing, Roger's classic rock shrieking and Pete's wind-milling guitar bashing can turn even the most picky rock snob into a fan. If you wanna understand what these guys are about, focus on these early achievements, ignore the subsquent 20 years of band events, and please, for the love of God, don't rent the 2000 television movie "Dark Prince: The True Story of Dracula" to see Roger's turn as King Janos.

Album reviews

BBC Sessions
MCA (2001)
Inasmuch as BBC Sessions concentrates on the most powerful years of the band's career, it's as good of an entry way as any into The Who's immense catalog.

Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970
MCA (1996)
As Isle of Wight can prove, the Who was at the height of its performance abilities in 1970.