The Who can still relate to “My Generation”

By Jim Feighan
Collegian Staff
September 20, 2006

British rock icons The Who started the American leg of their first world tour at the Wachovia Center on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Of the original band, only singer Roger Daltrey and lead guitarist Pete Townshend still remain, and while they’ve both hit their 60s, they’re still able to get a crowd excited.

The band opened with “Can’t Explain,” the first Who hit that put them on the map of mod rock. Townshend wasted no time launching into his trademark windmill-style guitar strumming. The Who then jumped into “The Seeker,” “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere” and then an unforgettable performance of “Baba O’Riley,” during which Daltrey played harmonica while screams of “teenage wasteland” reverberated through the Wachovia Center.

To add to the environment, the stage was surrounded with five giant LCD screens, randomly flashing images of The Who’s past, including encounters with Jimi Hendrix, intimate underground shows for Mods and other drug-influenced memories. Joining Townshend and Daltrey was Zak Starkey (Ringo’s son) on drums, who managed to replicate the Late Keith Moon’s pounding-style perfectly.

After a decent rendition of “Behind Blue Eyes” (due to Daltrey’s hearing aids either falling out or going haywire), The Who unleashed for the first time ever a “mini-opera” off their new album Endless Wire, which will be released Oct. 30. The opera, titled “Wire & Glass,” consists of seven pieces that revolve around the past of the band and memories of their deceased members, John Entwhistle and Keith Moon. While some of “Wire & Glass” had promise, much of it fell flat due to the feeling that the band didn’t seem to be challenging themselves.

For example, at least four of the seven pieces involved Daltrey singing ambiguous, generic lyrics while Townshend would manifest his patented guitar solo about two minutes into each song. After The Who finished playing a set of the new songs, Townshend thanked the audience for listening, admitting that he knew how tough it was to hear new music for a first time live.

The band then jumped into back-to-back classics, “You Better You Bet” and “Who Are You,” which may have been the best-sounding performances of the night because of the impressive use of the backing musicians. As the night progressed, the band played a fan favorite, “Man in a Purple Dress,” and continued to keep the crowd on its feet by playing such hits as “My Generation,” “Substitute” and “Pinball Wizard.” The Who ended up closing the night with “Tea and Theatre,” the gentle, yet melodic, last song on Endless Wire.

Overall, The Who managed to keep the crowd energized for two-and-a-half hours straight while staying up past their own bed time. Daltrey’s voice is not what it once was, but he’s still able to belt out screams in “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” As for Townshend, he seems to have somehow gotten better at what he does best: creating a wall of noise by coursing his fingers up and down the 22 frets on his Stratocaster. Even if you aren’t their biggest fan, chances are you would’ve had an unbelievable time at the Wachovia Center that night.

feighanj1@lasalle.edu