Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 14th February!
On the 14th February 1970, The Who recorded their legendary show in Leeds. The band performed at the local University. „Live At Leeds“ was released three months later on the 16th May 1970 and it’s still considered as one of the best live albums ever.
Beside the outstanding recording, the packaging was also a real eyecatcher. Issued as a bootleg LP, the gatefold sleeve housed a package with12 facsimiles of various memorabilia. Also two photos, a poster and handwritten notes was enclosed.
Welcomte to my Music Diary – today for the 7th February!
On the 7th February 1969, The Who recorded one of their signature songs at Morgan Studio’s in London, UK: „Pinball Wizard„, which was produced by Kit Lambert. Written by guitarist Pete Townshend, this track was also featured on the legendary Rock opera double album „Tommy„. Released on the 7th March, the single reached No. 4 in the UK and No. 19 in the USA.
For the flip side, The Who recorded an instrumental called „Dogs (Part Two)“, which was written by drummer Keith Moon.
Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 15th January!
On the 15th January 1965, the very first single by The Who was released in the UK. „I can’t explain“ (with „Bald Headed Woman“ on the flip side). The song, written by guitarist Pete Townshend, went on No. 8 on the UK chart. The recording session was produced by Shel Talmy and beside The Who, some guest appearences are featured on the single: The British vocal trio The Ivy League and Perry Ford on piano can be also heard on „I can’t explain“. It was also the rumour, that Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page added some rhythm guitar parts, but this is still not really proved.
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Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 20th November!
Keith Moon (The Who)
On the 20th November 1973 the Who drummer Keith Moon collapsed during a concert at the Cow Palace in Dale City, near to San Francisco. After approximately one hour, Moon began to falter during „Won’t Get Fooled Again„, slumped over his drum kit and passed finally out. He was carried offstage by the roadies.
Backstage the drummer received a special treatment and meanwhile guitarist Pete Townshend asked the crowd: „Can anybody play the drums? I mean somebody good!“ Scot Halpin, also a drummer, and his friend Mike Danese watched the scene, while Danese told the security staff, that the 19 years old Scot can play. Bill Graham, the concert promoter, asked: „Can you do it?“. After Halpin’s „Yes“, he filled in for Keith and played. After a Brandy he started while Townshend instructed him: „I’m going to lead you. I’m going to cue you.“ So the Who had a new member for three songs. They played the Blues standards Smokestack Lightning“ and „Spoonful“ before going into the Who song „Naked Eye„. So after approximately thirty minutes of absence, Keith Moon came back on stage to finish the show.
Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 9th October!
On the 9th October 1944 Mr. John Alec Entwistle was born in in Chiswick, London. Nicknamed as „The Ox“ or „Thunderfingers“ the British bassist created with his rhythm mate Keith Moon on drums the unique and powerful sound for the legendary rockband The Who.
At the age of seven, John Entwistle started piano lessons, aged 11 he switched to the trumpet and French horn. Then he first met Pete Townshend and the two teenagers formed the Jazz band The Confederates. After only one gig this group was history and John decided to play the guitar and shortly after he switched again the instruement and learned to play the bass guitar. Then he crossed paths with Roger Daltrey in 1961, who asked him to join his band The Detours.
On Entwistle’s decision, Pete Townshend joined the line up with Doug Sandom on drums, who was replaced very soon by Keith Moon. The band name changed a lot – so they played some shows as The Who, renamed into The High Numbers in 1964, and finally decided to work as The Who again.
In 1965 the first Who single „I can’t explain“ was released, followed by „Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere“ and the big hit „My Generation„, which reached the second position in the UK charts. In December 1965 the album debut „My Generation“ hit the stores and remarked the beginning of the successful history of The Who.
On 27th June 2002, one day before the scheduled first show ot The Who’s US tour, John Entwistle died in Las Vegas at the age of 58 years at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in room 658. It was determined that Entwistle’s death was due to a heart attack induced by cocaine. As Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey said via the internet: „The Ox has left the building – we’ve lost another great friend. Thanks for your support and love. Pete and Roger.“
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The Who Shop (Europe/Germany): The Who Shop (USA):
Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 14th September!
Quadrophenia (UK Poster)
In 1979, the movie „Quadrophenia“ directed by Franc Roddam was officially released at the Toronto Film Festival. The film is based on The Who’s 1973 concept album which is focused on the English teenage perspective in 1964 and the Mod- and Rocker movement. The film follows the story of the young Mod Jimmy Cooper and his friends.
Welcome to my music diary again – today for the 7th September!
Keith Moon (23rd August 1946 – 7th September 1978)
In 1978 the music world lost one of the best drummers – Mr. Keith John Moon from the legendary rock band The Who. Moon died at the age of only 32 years (born on 23rd August 1946). His body was found in his flat in Mayfair, London. The police determined that there were 32 clomethiazole pills in Moon’s system. Six were digested, sufficient to cause his death – the other 26 were undigested when he died.
With John Entwistle on bass he created this very unique and powerful rhtyhmsound of The Who. Timeless records and masterpieces like “My Generation” (1965), “Tommy” (1969), “Live at Leeds” (1970) and “Who’s Next” (1971) features Moon’s outstanding and unique drumming.
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