by Robert Wilkinson
Because we have so many great tunes, we're starting our Saturday Night Attitude dancing early! Today our soundtrack is provided by the most exciting live show I've ever seen, and I saw 6 of them! August 23 is the birthday of Keith Moon of the Who, a tragic and self destructive figure, but still the best drummer in rock and roll history.
Keith Moon (23 August 1946 – 7 September 1978) also known as "Moon the Loon," would have been a mere 75 today, and so it's truly tragic that the world lost his talent in 1978 when he was only 32. He was deadly destructive to himself and countless hotel toilets. His "antics" were the stuff of legend, and he was personally responsible for the Who being banned from more than one hotel chain.
He was reckless in the extreme, a completely besotted mess by the time he died, and yet even 35 years after his death Rolling Stone readers voted him the second best drummer of all time. To really get what he was about, please go to you tube and play anything from Tommy or Live At Leeds. It seems Leeds brings out the best in bands that play there. An album generally considered the greatest live album ever recorded was done there by this mad drummer and his friends, the bass playing skeleton, the bloody fingered leaper, and the screaming enforcer.
He was truly an amazing force on stage, unlike any other I've seen before or since. Roger Daltry said "Moon's drumming style held the band together; that Entwistle and Townshend "were like knitting needles... and Keith was the ball of wool."
I saw the Who 6 times between 1967 and 1976. They were a unique pyrotechnical sonic spectacle, and were the first to pioneer the destruction of their instruments as a work of performance art. Even though it started by mistake, it became a standard of their act, and was the influence imitated by Jimi, the Yardbirds in the movie Blow Up, and a hundred acts since then.
At the forefront of it all was Peter Townshend, thrashing at his guitar, making windmill moves that hit on the strings until his fingers were bloody. He was the lead-rhythm in an organized chaos of a lead singer, lead bassist, and lead drummer. As Pete leapt with both feet in the air, Roger Daltrey was slinging the mic in circles that grew ever wider until the mic went straight up to the ceiling only for him to jerk it down at the exact moment he needed to sing, yell, or scream some memorable line into it.
Keith Moon had the biggest drum kit I'd ever seen, and played every one of those drums and every cymbal including both base drums going simultaneously frenetic and pounding out rhythms and counter rhythms no other drummer had ever done, or has ever done since. He played a thousand beats a minute in every form imaginable, and destroyed his kit after every performance I ever saw. I also gather he blew up more hotel toilets than any person in history, but that's just part of the legend of "Moon the Loon."
Through it all John Entwhistle stood stiff and tall, expressionless, pounding out bass lines that with the drums created the most frenetic rhythm section imaginable that was actually two lead instruments. All of this was held together by the songs, sonic and powerful and soaring and deep and driving and ringing the hall until the audience just stood there in awe.
The Who at their peak are generally considered one of the best rock bands in history, right up there with the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. They played both the Monterrey Pop Festival AND Woodstock! And I'm not kidding when I say they are generally accepted as performing the most exciting live concerts ever done! They were certainly the most electrifying I’ve ever seen, and I saw some amazing shows back in the day.
So for your enjoyment of what was in an era of sonic sounds, smashing guitars and singular concerts unlike any other, for your enjoyment, here's The Who, the best live band I’ve ever seen! Immerse yourself in the videos you're about to see, since the energy is kinetic from a now gone era. Music videos first, then a ton of amazing live performances!! (And if you just can’t get enough of the Who, if you want more performances after 1978 please go to Saturday Night Attitude Dancing at the Most Gear Fab 2021 Merry Birthday of Musical Genius Peter Townshend where you’ll find even more great videos!)
And now, The Who play for YOU! We begin with some music videos of them doing their early hits from 1965-67!
Pete once called this early hit “straightforward Kink copying.” Here's a promotional video done in 1964 for their first smash hit, "I Can't Explain" (They're VERY young!)
Here’s an early gem from 1965, a video of the Who lip-synching to the awesome studio version of "Substitute"
A rare (and very twisted!) gem! I found the original studio version of a song John wrote for the B side of "Substitute," "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
This one's a lost gem! From an uncompleted movie in 1964, back when the Who were known as the High Numbers, here's "The High Numbers performing "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" and "I Gotta Dance To Keep From Crying."
Here's The Who on the last Shindig! show in 1965! Last year I had all three in a medley, but this year it’s disappeared. Still, I found all three tunes, so keep dancing to "I Can't Explain," followed by "Daddy Rolling Stone," and we close with major attitude, "My Generation."
From the Happy Jack album, stills set to the studio cut of Entwistle's "Doctor, Doctor."
Some live performances! From the Beat Club, 1967, "I'm A Boy,"
From French tv in 1965, here are the Who live doing the great Martha and the Vandellas hit, “Heat Wave”
And now, the briefest of interludes.
I found this May 1966 clip with Keith drumming on this Jeff Beck classic which features Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, John Paul Jones on bass, Keith on drums, and Nicky Hopkins on piano! For your enjoyment, the awesome "Beck’s Bolero”
And now, back to the Who!
Live at the Marquee Club in March 1967, here's a live video of "So Sad 'Bout Us" Also from that gig, their second major hit and the show stopper! "My Generation"
From 1967 on Twice A Fortnight, "I Can See for Miles," and from 1969, here's a great staged video of "I Can See for Miles"
Also from the album The Who Sell Out, the prototype for Tommy, the soaring "Rael."
Here are the Who on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967, lip synching the first tune and doing the second live, which is strange! Here they are in a “live” performance of “I Can See for Miles.” And I found it again! Here’s the video of “My Generation” (with occasional commentary) where Keith had stashed many more cherry bombs than usual in his drum kit, guaranteeing a huge explosion at the end of the song while Pete destroys his guitar! This was a standard feature of their shows back then, culminating in Moon’s drum set literally exploding on stage, disrupting the television signal and creating ear damage for Pete! Here's the finale. No encores after this one! ”My Generation”
From the legendary Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967 “Summer of Love,” the very young and very mod Who took America by storm! "Substitute" and the iconic "Summertime Blues." At that show, they also performed their “controversial masterpiece,” "Pictures of Lily."
Here’s the audio from Monterey of their classic mini-opera, "A Quick One"
The closer was a performance that made history! Here's where the pyrotechnics were in full expression!! "My Generation"
Here’s their entire set (audio-only) from the legendary Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967 “Summer of Love!” The Who Live at Monterey Pop 1967 – Whole set
I found it again! Here’s the performance from the legendary Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, of the Who doing their classic "A Quick One"
These are live performances set to stills. From the BBC sessions, some early hits you may not have heard.
Live at The Fillmore East in 1968, the entire one hour show! The Who Live at the Fillmore East - 1968
From that show, the opener! "Summertime Blues"
From their appearance at Woodstock in 1969:
"See Me Feel Me" (This is one amazing performance!)
Here’s the audio Woodstock performance of "I'm Free"
We’ll close the Who’s set at Woodstock with an audio-only clip of the pounding rocker “Shakin’ All Over”
It’s back! Partially live video, partially stills, here’s the Who’s entire 65 minute set at Woodstock! The Who at Woodstock – The Entire Set
Last year I had their Woodstock performance of the next song, but it’s disappeared. So instead, using cut in shots of Tina Turner from the movie, here’s a live video of the Who performing "The Acid Queen"
A brief interlude from the music as Pete sets the story straight with 8 minutes about Pete Townshend on Woodstock and The Acid Queen
I found it! This year I have their 1 hour set at the 1969 Isle of Wight. Here’s the entire performance video of that historic performance. The Who Live at the 1969 Isle of Wight
The set list was “Heaven and Hell,” “I Can’t Explain,” “Fortune Teller,” “Young Man Blues,” “It’s A Boy,” “1921,” “Amazing Journey/Sparks” “Eyesight To the Blind,” “Christmas," "The Acid Queen," "Pinball Wizard," "Do You Think It's Alright," "Fiddle About," "There's A Doctor," "Go To The Mirror," "Smash The Mirror," "I'm Free," "Tommy's Holiday Camp," "We're Not Gonna Take It," "See Me Feel Me / Listening To You,” “Shakin’ All Over.”
This is literally the only video I could find from that historic concert! "Fortune Teller"
From the album “Tommy,” here’s the studio version of one of my favorites! "I'm Free"
The Who closed out the year Live at London Coliseum in December 1969! This was the first filmed concert of the rock opera “Tommy.” Two years ago I had the entire show, but it's disappeared. However, here’s an hour and 13 film of that Who concert Live at London Coliseum in December 1969! The Who Live at London Coliseum - 1969
Here are a few from the show if you’d rather hear individual tunes than the whole show. As usual, they kicked it off with John Entwistle's troubled tale of morality, "Heaven and Hell"
(Last year I had their performance of “Fortune Teller” but this year it's nowhere to be found)
Here’s the audio of
”Amazing Journey” and "Sparks"
Audio’s lousy, but I found the video again! “The Acid Queen”
“Do You Think It’s All Right?”
Here’s a great 15 minute medley from that show. The Who Live at the London Coliseum 1969 (My Generation, We’re Not Going to Take It, Love Reign O'er Me, Overture)
Before we leave the 60s, here’s an audio-only full 2 hour show! The Who Live in Amsterdam – Sept 1969
Last year I had their 42 minute video of their October 1969 show at the Capitol Theater in Ottawa but it’s disappeared. Instead, here’s an hour and 9 audio-only of that show! The Who Live in Ottawa – Oct 1969
From the film "Listening to You," the full hour and 2 set of their performance at the 1970 Isle of Wight festival! The Who at the 1970 Isle of Wight
A great video score! It’s a 55 minute set of the Who at Tanglewood in 1970! The Who Live at Tanglewood - 1970
”Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!” From 1971, their biggest hit, "Won't Get Fooled Again."
From the same time, live in the studio, the Who cranking out "Who Are You”
Live at the Young Vic in Spring 1971, an audio hour and 15! The Who At the Young Vic - 1971
These are more live performances set to stills. From the Odeon Cinema, Newcastle, October 30, 1971:
Here's another great audio-only performance in Long Beach, California from December 10, 1971 of "Bargain"
From Dec 1971, an hour and 24 audio of The Who Live In San Francisco
I found 4 great video clips of the Who’s performance at Voorburg in 1973! First, “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” which we’ll follew with “Pinball Wizard,” then “Summertime Blues” and close with “My Generation”
All the single clips I had last year from their Cow Palace gig in SF on 20 November 1973 have disappeared, but I did find these with Keith before he collapsed! “I Can’t Explain” and “Summertime Blues”
Also from that show, 13+ minutes of The last part of “Magic Bus” and “See Me Feel Me”
Here’s 9+ minutes of video at the Cow Palace of “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” and I found this 8+ minute clip which picks up at the end of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and runs until Keith Moon Collapses on stage at the Cow Palace.
The b/w clip of the entire hour and 52 Who Live in San Francisco has disappeared this year. Too bad, because they rock from the first note! However, I found this 1 hour and 40 video of that show! The Who Live at the Cow Palace – Nov 1973
Here’s a clip from a documentary where the story of his collapse begins about 4 minutes in. Keith Moon Collapses on stage at the Cow Palace.
After Keith collapsed, they called for a drummer from the audience, and Scott Halpin volunteered. Whether brave or foolhardy, he had one unique experience! Here is a great 12+ minute video clip of the Who with Scott on drums doing “Smokestack Lightning,” "Spoonful," and “Naked Eye”.
From London in 1973, an audio-only clip of "Love Reign O'er Me"
From the same year in Philly, and audio-only clip of "Dr. Jimmy" from Quadrophenia, Pete's scathing social commentary. You can find the original studio version of "Dr. Jimmy and Mr. Jim here, complete with very raw lyrics and the much better sound quality!
From 1973 on UK tv, the rock anthem "Long Live Rock."
From Charlton in 1974, "Baba O'Riley"
And now, a piece of side work. From the 1974 Harry Nilsson and John Lennon album Pussy Cats with more famous friends than I can name here, Keith played congas on “Mucho Mungo/St. Elga.” Also from that album, Keith on one drum kit, Ringo on another, and Jim Keltner on yet another one all playing at the same time on “Rock Around the Clock”
For the second time, back to the Who!
From Cleveland 1975, John taking the lead singing a very strange song "with very strange chords" he invented one night while drinking with Bill Wyman, "Boris the Spider"
I was at this show! In past years I had all two hours on one clip, as well as all the single clips, but this year they are nowhere to be found. However, I did find some audio-only clips from that show. This is solid, kinetic, explosive rock as only the Who did it!
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Substitute”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “I Can’t Explain”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Boris the Spider”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Drowned”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “However Much I Booze”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Dreaming From the Waist”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Behind Blue Eyes”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Amazing Journey” and “Sparks”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Acid Queen”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Fiddle About”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Pinball Wizard” and “I’m Free”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Tommy’s Holiday Camp”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “We’re Not going to Take It”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “My Generation” and “Join Together”
TheWho Live at the Summit November 1975 – “My Generation Blues”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Naked Eye” and “Roadrunner”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
The Who Live at the Summit November 1975 – “Magic Bus”
From Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, December 11, 1975, a great video of the Who doing John Entwistle's early hit tune "Boris the Spider." From the same Toronto show, the audio of "Magic Bus"
From The Who's second to last show with Keith Moon in Kilburn 1977, an audio-only clip of "Baba O'Riley"
I found the Who commenting about Virgo Keith Moon. This offers up a little about this amazingly self destructive human dynamo.
Keith's last tv interview from Good Morning America in '78.
I found it again! Here’s the 1 hour documentary Living Famously – Keith Moon
We also have a 48 minute documentary titled Final 24 – Keith Moon
RIP Keith. I saw you every time you made it to America, and loved every minute of it. Wish you were still here, but then again, if you were, you wouldn't be Keith Moon. From one of your contemporaries, "See you in the next world and don't be late...."
© Copyright 2021 Robert Wilkinson
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