Honestly, that guitar smash at the end was REALLY tame compared to their previous shows. 😂 The Who were famous for ending their shows with Pete and Keith destroying their instruments. At that time, it was a symbol of teenage frustration and rebellion.
@@SoundlabStudios63 Pete believes that it was the explosion in the Smothers Brothers set that ruined his hearing. Apparently explosives experts had loaded the drum kit to a safe level, and Keith decided to add a bit more to make it more spectacular.
In a more recent interview Pete Townsend said that what people never saw was after they had smashed up their instruments was the many hours after the audience had left that the band and roadies spent repairing the instruments, as in the early days they could not afford to buy replacements and by the time they could afford it they had favourites that they liked to play xxx
During 1969 to 1972, Pete Townshend used up to 100 Gibson SG guitars per year, one site says, the Les Paul is sturdier, so it went down to 20 - 30 per year
As far as the star of the show, I saw them live back in the day and I couldnt take my eyes off of Entwishtle's hands. Jumping around and other antics is fine but the pure genius and talent of a great musician just kicking back and doing his thing is hard to ignore
Someone once asked the ox why he didnt jump around like the other 3 He asked “will it make me play better?” No was the answer so Ox just said “well theres the answer”
The other members energy and eccentricity make his relaxed demeanor stand out even more I love it! Looks like the cool older brother having fun watching his siblings run wild, and absolutely shredding at the same time.
I hear you, his solo later on in 5:15 1997 Quadrophenia tour, in Toronto the clamping went on for a solid minute after he finished - I don't recall a reaction to him like that any other time, but beyond belief talent!!
The band needs a stable bass to support the genius! John Entwistle was perfect. Not just the stability but the most incredible bassist I've EVER heard!
Saw The Who in Munich '76. Was on the floor right up against the barricade with Daltry right in front of me. Everytime he swung the mic over the crowd we jumped. Never came close to catching it. The Who gave the best musical performance I have ever seen. They were spectacular.
John 'The Ox' Entwistle was the 'quiet' bass player. Back in their early days they took to trashing the entire stage at the end of the show. All except John who used to protect his bass from the others. I saw this tour back when I was a bit younger and they used every watt of power from all those amps and speakers you saw on stage. They were the loudest act I ever saw. You didn't hear it in your head. The sound appeared to float somewhere about a foot above and behind your skull. They kept turning out hits for over 35 years, a feat very few bands can match.
John Entwistle used to say it was like going on tour with three naughty children! He was very much the quiet one of the group and was nicknamed “The Ox” and also known as “Thunderfingers”.
@@michaelfoster5577 I watched this footage for years not being able understand how Townshend was playing what seems like a guitar part right at the end (8.52), until one day I released it was Entwistle doing it! I think the December 6th, 1973 Capital Centre, Maryland recording is the best I've heard.
The Ox, aka Thunder Fingers, has no equal. His solos are a match for Eddie Van Halen. The Who pioneered so many things, including the use of lasers and choreographed light shows its ridiculous. As for stage presence, give it up, they were and are the masters.
As a stage performance coach, it may interest you to know that this was actually two performances cut together. They played a special invite only concert for their fans at the studio they were recording the show for their band retrospective film "The Kids Are Alright." They played the tune, but the ending wasn't exciting enough for the director of the film, so he convinced the band to go back out and play the song again, this time Pete did his famous slide on his knees at the end and the rest is history. The moment it goes slow motion at the end is the second performance. Just a tiny bit of movie magic, drummer Keith Moon's very last time playing for an audience with The Who, he died that same year.
I read an interview once where Roger Daltry said some times in live performance that he would go for a note even when he knew he might not make it because he knew the emotion and feeling was what counted and the audience was with him regardless.
I have heard this scream literally thousands of times in my life on this video, live, record - you name it. I have never heard it and not gotten goose bumps. THE greatest scream in the history of the medium.
I saw The Who in 1976 at Madison Square Garden in NYC. I was 17 years old. I've been to many concerts before and since and it was by far the best concert I ever went to. This song topped the bill as you can see. Same frenetic energy. And with all the crazy energy, there's John Entwistle just standing there playing that incredible bass.
A brilliant band, both musically and in stage presence. Pete Townshend's guitar heroics, Roger Daltrey's amazing vocals, Keith Moon's crazy frenetic drumming, and "the quiet one", Jon Entwistle, perhaps the greatest rock bass player there has ever been. All accompanied by Townshend's excellent songwriting. And "What just happened?" is a common response to that performance!
Before Tommy became a huge hit The Who was over a million dollars in debt due to their antics both onstage and off (they also hand a penchant for destroying hotel rooms). Their managers never told them how badly in debt they were. But after Tommy they were enormous world wide stars.
This song is the pinnacle of rock and roll. It is at the highest top of the biggest mountain of rock. Many have tried to emulate and never quite reached the top !
Saw the band in the late '70's in Detroit. I'm Australian, she'd spent 12 months over here and was showing me around her hometown. She loved Bob Seger, damn I listened to a lot of Bob, didn't bother me, I liked me some Bob. She also loved The Who, I did too. They were playing Detroit so we got 2 tickets to the show. It was a huge show, I'd guess 15,000 at an outdoor venue. We were both short asses, I'm 5'4"" she was 5'1", so we spent most of the night with her sitting on my shoulders. The band played so good and were so loud, it was a great night. Julie wanted to stand on my shoulders, I asked her to give me a moment. I turned around and there was a fella and his lass kinda behind us, they were to one side as they couldn't see through us. Told him what we were gonna do, I said, " if she falls forwards I'll catch her, if she falls backwards would you mind catching her or at the very least break her fall." He said, "not a problem bro." Julie fell backwards, I turned around real quick and old mate caught her perfectly. A gymnast, ballet kind of catch, both hands under her armpits, breaking the fall whilst lowering her to the ground, on her feet. We thanked him. We all got chatting and just partied together. We all went for pizza after the show. I've heard a lot of things about Detroit, but that night that crowd was the most positive, happy bunch of people I've ever been put in stadium with. They were there for the music, the band delivered in spades and they were really beautiful to this Aussie and his Yankee girlfriend.
The Who were the band that pretty much invented guitar smashing and general instrument destruction on stage. And by their standards, that was pretty tame. If you can handle it, check out their performance of "My Generation" from the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.
@JamesDavis-sh9gh Although there's something sensual about Jimi's guitar sacrifice: The Who's almost complete stage destruction was pure unhinged violence by comparison. Plus, Jimi only did that to try and upstage The Who, whereas they would have done it anyway.
This performance was filmed at Shepperton Studios near London to be used in a movie from The Who called "The Kids Are Alright". In the studio next to where The Who were performing, the movie "Alien" was being filmed. The cast and crew of "Alien" took a break and went over to watch the performance by The Who. They like the laser show at the end of the song so much, they borrowed the laser equipment from The Who and used it in "Alien". So next time you watch "Alien", keep an eye out for The Who's lasers.
That’s pretty cool. I remember the green laser in Alien scanning the inside of the spaceship. I’ll definitely think about the Who now each time I watch the movie!😂
That was a great reaction! Wow! As I'm sure many have you explained, The Who would end their shows in their early days smashing up their instruments. This clip you just saw is at the end of their very last performance (before the drummer died a month later). It was done just for the cameras to end a (great) documentary about the band, and so, knowing that it was on film, Pete smashed his guitar a few times for old times sake. Those Les Paul guitars are VERY heavy and very durable, it's a solid body guitar, a solid piece of wood. No worries!
1st time here. GREAT reaction to one of the greatest bands ever. We'll done and thank you! By the way They all stole the show in their own way. The bassist with his fingers. The guitar is just a tool of the new revolution. Don't be sad.
A little perspective to the band you just watched…..the singer, the drummer, and the bass player are all widely considered in the top three all time at their craft, while the guitar player (no slouch himself) is the genius behind the band and wrote a majority of their very large catalog of songs. Truly a superstar band! Check out Baba O’Riley and Who Are You when you get the chance.
That is The Who. They had a lot of rebellious energy. The guitarist Pete Townsend, wrote most of their material. And yes he used to break guitars on stage. The drummer Keith Moon was another character all together. Epic partier. The singer Roger Daltry was and still is the consummate front man in all that chaos. Along with bassist John Entwhistle who was the quiet one.
Well said. You know they have much more to offer than just the destruction shtick when you hear one of their songs that's at least half-ballad, like Love, Reign O'er Me, or Gettin' In Tune, or Behind Blue Eyes.
Facial reactions are priceless!! The Who were well know band for their great music growing up but also for distroying their instruments on stage back in the day
That was fun watching your reaction. If you want to see more of the Who live you should definitely check out their legendary performance of 'Young Man's Blues' from the Isle of Wight Festival 1970.
To me, Won't Get Fooled Again will always be one of the greatest rock songs ever written! from one of my favourite albums Who's Next. Brings back so many good memories from my youth.
The who are famous for the loud scream, the windmill strum, destruction of instruments, and the manic drummer. Animal from the Muppet Show was inspired by a blend of Keith Moon (The Who) and John Bonnam (Led Zeppelin).
I enjoyed the reaction. A little knowledge of The Who going into this would have at least prepared you for the end. The smashing of guitars started as an accident turned into a performance piece at the end of early shows, they dropped it for most of their career, although from time to time it would come back, for this performance for instance, which was done for the Movie "The Kids Are Alright." In the context of their on stage antics, and their brash Who sound on stage, you can better accept the destructive element as what Townshend has said is a sort of Auto Destructive Art Form. Really just one facet of Who they are, But, What I Love about The Who, is that there are other facets, of Inspiration, Intelligence, Love, Light, As Well as the amazing entertaining performances to balance out and contrast against the Destructive aspect. Hence we have music that transcends mere pop enjoyment. At least for me anyway.
Every time I hear this I think of November 22, 1973. Thanksgiving night. The Forum in Inglewood, CA. It was raining. Me an 19,999 other lucky souls witnessed the greatest rock concert of all time. If you were there, you know.
At their peak, (1973-1978) and this was just slightly passed it -- SLIGHTLY -- they were hands down the greatest live act in rock n roll. They were driving the bus.
Not sure if you caught the singer's overhead mic-spinning moves? That was a classic Daltrey move - pretty grand!! He spun that bad boy way out over the audience sometimes! These guys were true GIANTS of rock, on a very short list of epic, genre defining, world famous originators of modern rock and roll. In my opinion, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd are the only others in their league. And I'd put the original Jimi Hendrix Experience in there too, despite the tragically small catalog.
Your reaction was priceless! Now you know how we felt years ago, when anything goes. The more you get into them, the more you can appreciate their talent and artistry. Some of their songs are really deep. I suggest among the other songs would be "Who Are You?" and "Behind Blue Eyes". When they came out I was more into Dylan and folk songs so I haven't really explored them myself. What I like about these bands back then, they liked to showcase all the group.
The last performance of the late GREAT KEITH MOON. Unfortunately this was my FIRST time seeing the band on a TV show called "Midnight Special". I was a fan after this. This is the SECOND TAKE of the song. The filmmaker had an issue with the first take and sheepishly asked the band if they could go out and do the song again! So this performance was, "Yeah, we'll do it again. AND MAKE SURE YOU GET IT FILMED THIS TIME!" and is over the top. If the drums hadn't been NAILED DOWN, Moon would have smashed them to bits. RIP Moony!
That just made your job as a stage performance coach a whole lot easier. Bring in some form of projection, show your students this video and simply say "THAT!!!!!!!".
I first saw this clip somewhere around 1990, as it was filmed for the documentary "The Kids Are Alright", and while watching that film, I saw this and many other amazing moments. And I've been a fan ever since, as I knew the Who from the radio(WGFA, Pinball Wizard, Bargain, etc.), and Tommy I guess, but I never knew live music could be so visual. Your reaction is probably the closest to my own that day(minus the instrument issues, as that was their thing for a time, but they always recycled)as my mind was blown and I went out and bought everything I could find at the time. Pete the guitarist said him, Roger(singer) & Keith(drummer) had always been in competition with one another for the audiences attention during a show. And while Roger always lost and John never bothered to compete, him and Keith would win out in the end, and you can see that level of competition here. Sadly, the Keith you see here wasn't at 100%(the other members are at 110%), but still a force behind the kit. If you loved this, which it appears you did, watch "A Quick One" from the Rolling Stones R&R Circus special and there you can see Keith at 110%, as it's another jaw dropping performance.
+1 for "A Quick One" from 'The Rolling Stones' Rock 'n Roll Circus' special! I'd watched that for the first time only recently and then OCD'ed on it for several days! 😅 Yeah, Keith sure is unusually tame in this here performance. He sadly also died later that same year.
It has often been said about The Who that Pete played lead guitar, John played lead bass, Keith played lead drums and Roger was the lead vocalist. It's hard to realize there are only three instruments, because John did so much on bass it filled all the holes. Pete once said about John that if they ever lost him, it would take seven other musicians to replace him. When he died, that is exactly what happened. Your reaction at the end is not unique for those just seeing the Who for the first time. Originally, they were playing in a small club with a low ceiling and Pete jumped up and broke his guitar on the ceiling. He went on to demolish the thing on the stage and it got a huge reaction from the audience. They eventually included it in the act, breaking instruments frequently. It took quite a while before they turned a profit. Keith once blew up his drum kit with explosives on the Smothers Brother's TV show. They used too much and it caused hearing damage in Pete's ears that he still has today. You have to remember, they began at a very turbulent time in England in the 60's, and they represented a violent faction of the youth groups Mods and Rockers, so the destruction was seen as a statement. Pete wrote about 95% of their songs and, indeed, took drugs around the time of the performance, but eventually kicked the habits. He was always wound up and was a show within himself. It was almost a competition between the three of them for attention, while John was the anchor who kept the stage from flying away. He let his fingers do all of his jumping around. Pete's lyrics are genius, and he was one of my major influences in my own writing. Nice reaction!
You should see it when Keith Moon likes his drum set on fire! No, it was a really cool thing then and as a musician and someone who has smashed a couple guitars, you end up working on them, you already know them inside out, you are so physically connected with them it's unbelievable. So in a way it's almost like a bonding experience with your instrument. Plus it's just fun. But they would spend hours afterwards working on their instruments, doing repairs. A labor of love in a way, and sometimes dealing with the inevitable loss of a favorite guitar. It cracks me up how those metal cymbals were just flying around the stage and nobody really cared. They were so in the moment, it wasn't an issue.
One of the reasons why I love The Who so much is I saw Pete Townsend jam his guitar into an amp once 😈 They were wild, focused, without rules, without inhibitions - raw and powerful ❤ Many guitars were sacrificed on the alter of rock haha
Your reaction dear brings a smile to the Old mans face , because that is what we thought when we heard this on the Radio back in the Day.Truly one on the Best Rock and Roll albums of all time , the whole album is exceptional , listen to it all...enjoy
This is a story of third time's the charm. The Who were looking to make a concert film and documentary on themselves and wanted to get a multi angle pro shot clip of Won't Get Fooled Again for it. They tried in 1977, it wasn't happening. They regrouped a year later and the first take was okay but not amazing. The second take, the one seen here, was finally the magic take they were looking for.
I saw The Who 3 times within a few months of this show. They were spectacular each time. I also saw there last 'full destruction' tour in the late sixties when "I Can See For Miles' was charting in a half-empty 5,000 seater. Spectacular. I saw them do 'Tommy' twice at The Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Spectacular. I never liked the 'wreck the instruments, amps, and drums thing but they were trying to get noticed in a field dominated by The Beatles and Rolling Stones. They got noticed...oh, and they just happened to be a top five greatest all time rock band. Rock Mayhem!
I'll just take a moment and note that Pete T managed all of that spinning and bouncing and other activity with a guitar connected to a cord, and never tripped over it or wrapped himself up in it. Weren't no wireless technology in those days. From your reaction to the guitar bashing, I'd suggest a song by John Hiatt called Smashing A Perfectly Good Guitar, where he fully agrees with you.
My introduction to The Who, local cinema, Tauranga NZ, circa 1980, 15yr old, massive PA install, double billed with Neil Young Rust Never Sleeps! From that moment on all I wanted to do was play guitar... Townsend, Young 🤘
I saw them on the UK leg of that tour (Leicester Granby Halls, Saturday 18 October 1975, 'Who By Numbers' tour), with the lasers, and it was the tightest, rawest, most powerful -- and loudest -- rock performance I have ever seen. They were on top form. It was brilliant and unforgettable. I was 17 years old. It seems like yesterday, still so fresh in my memory. I still have the tour book, in near-mint condition.
I love how peoples react when they see Pete Townshend break a guitar for the first time. All emotions scroll on their face. XD When I was discovering the Who and i read Pete Townshend did that and after I see some images and videos, I say to mysylf "Whaaa ! That it's rock !" It's perfect traduction of the rock feeling. Pure expression of the music. Emotion and frustration. Materialization in one movement of the energy of a rockshow.
The Who was part of the post World War II generation in England. Their music is part of processing personal and corporate trauma. In this context there emerged a destructive performative practice. Half of the band members died too young. The rest, Pete Townsend and Roger Daltry are wonderful chaps and still do some performances.
The Who at their peak were beyond compare. Great reaction vid, thanks for sharing! Btw, by this time Pete Townsend usually stopped short of actually destroying his guitars, just banging them on the stage a bit "for the show". The first time it happened was a at a club with a low ceiling, Pete lifted the guitar dramatically accidentally driving it into the ceiling and snapping off the neck; in a rage he took the Rickenbacker (!!!) off and smashed it to bits. Their manager said something like "the crowd went nuts, smash another one!". The band built up a bit of debt in their early years because of such shenanigans.
Guitar smashing was quite popular then. Many groups had guitar players that finished their shows by doing that. Also, The Who was just about the first, if not THE first to incorporate a laser light show into their live performance, so this was very early in the laser era.
No band played with the energy like "The Who" ! One of two bands in R&R that left the others behind. The other being Jethro Tull. I saw the Who 3 times ..... so powerful !
Glad to see this version reviewed. I prefer it to the studio version plus you can see the energy of the band. Also like how John is more pronounced than the studio.
One of the best live rock performances ever, the guitar smashing was the icing on the cake, wish there where more bands like the Who, today’s music is pathetic!
Keith Moon also blew up his drum kit at concerts and on a TV appearance on The Smothers Brothers show. He also blew up toilets in some of the hotels and motels they stayed in. Pete Townsend only smashed some cheaper, older guitars not those used in the studio for recording their albums. It happened by accident at one of their earliest performances and the audience liked it, so they made it part of the show.
Peter Townshead wrote the song. I guess he could do anything he wanted to his guitar during the performance. Roger Daltrey was so athletic as the lead singer. His swinging of the mic was unbelievable. Nobody got hurt! Wow!
Watch them on the Smothers Brothers, where they knocked CBS?, Off the air, I saw them in Duluth Minn, and actually went up on stage, and photographed Keith Moons Pictures of Lily's drum kit, I was drummer myself, and heard the Who's first song in the US Happy Jack, as a custom painter my voice mail was " I Can See for Miles", the greatest rock orchestration ever.
I read a long time ago that just before they became big...lol, they were starting to make a name for themselves but weren't making a lot of money yet...they were one night playing in a club with an unusually low ceiling over the stage. Pete, in his antics, accidentally jammed the neck of the guitar up into the ceiling and damaged it. He was initially upset because it was going to cost a good bit to repair or replace the guitar. But apparently it looked purposeful...and the crowd went bananas. They figured "well, give the people what they want, I guess". I read that almost 40 yrs ago, I might have the details not quite right, but that's the gist of why they started wrecking equipment at the end of the act...it sold tickets.
Yes! Yes! ROCK AND ROLL!!! 10 seconds later...OMG did he just hit that guitar? You clearly have a lot to learn about Rock music. Good luck with your channel.
Drummers belong in the front, singer in the back according to Mr. Moon...which is why Roger said he spent the first few years on stage dodging drumsticks flying at his head. 🤣
So funny to see young people discovering The Who! Pete wrote most of the music as well. Music was more honest in those days. You should watch Jimmy set his guitar on fire at Monterey, his performance was epic as well.
Honestly, that guitar smash at the end was REALLY tame compared to their previous shows. 😂 The Who were famous for ending their shows with Pete and Keith destroying their instruments. At that time, it was a symbol of teenage frustration and rebellion.
“Auto destructive art” see the Smothers Brothers performance of My Generation.
@@SoundlabStudios63 Pete believes that it was the explosion in the Smothers Brothers set that ruined his hearing. Apparently explosives experts had loaded the drum kit to a safe level, and Keith decided to add a bit more to make it more spectacular.
In a more recent interview Pete Townsend said that what people never saw was after they had smashed up their instruments was the many hours after the audience had left that the band and roadies spent repairing the instruments, as in the early days they could not afford to buy replacements and by the time they could afford it they had favourites that they liked to play xxx
Smashing a Les Paul guitar is probably just about impossible.
@@Esus4 not if you aim for The headstock
I love it- people still shocked and appalled at Pete Townsend's guitar smashing antics 50+ years later lol
Me too. The shock value...still fresh after all these years. ROCK N ROLL!!!!!!
They didn't always smash their instruments. Sometimes they blew them up.
oh yes, that infamous smothers brothers performance that pretty much cause a might scene for sure.
During 1969 to 1972, Pete Townshend used up to 100 Gibson SG guitars per year, one site says, the Les Paul is sturdier, so it went down to 20 - 30 per year
Keith Moon put dynamite down a toilet and blew it up
@@stevenclarke5606 some of those drugs made him do crazy s--t
They did both watch the Smothers Brothers show when they did The Who and My Generation
It's been said before : The Who were the only band that had a Lead Singer, a Lead Guitarist, a Lead Bassist and a Lead Drummer
And All of them going at it With every ounce of energy they Had!,,....,Well ......John Entwistle may hav relaxed from time to Time..
Led Zeppelin
@@wayneraynal8487 Not his hands
Wasn't that Noel Gallagher what said that?
uh led zeppelin?
Rogers primal scream and Petes knee slide has to be one of rocks greatest moments....
The Who were the best live rock band ever. They owned the stage and kicked buttockial matter.
One of rock's most iconic images.
Probably my favorite shot out of any music video. Epic.
As far as the star of the show, I saw them live back in the day and I couldnt take my eyes off of Entwishtle's hands. Jumping around and other antics is fine but the pure genius and talent of a great musician just kicking back and doing his thing is hard to ignore
Someone once asked the ox why he didnt jump around like the other 3 He asked “will it make me play better?” No was the answer so Ox just said “well theres the answer”
RIP OX.
The other members energy and eccentricity make his relaxed demeanor stand out even more I love it! Looks like the cool older brother having fun watching his siblings run wild, and absolutely shredding at the same time.
I hear you, his solo later on in 5:15 1997 Quadrophenia tour, in Toronto the clamping went on for a solid minute after he finished - I don't recall a reaction to him like that any other time, but beyond belief talent!!
The band needs a stable bass to support the genius! John Entwistle was perfect. Not just the stability but the most incredible bassist I've EVER heard!
Keith Moon would tape his headphones to his head to stop them from falling off during his crazy drum performances!!! RIP
Saw The Who in Munich '76. Was on the floor right up against the barricade with Daltry right in front of me. Everytime he swung the mic over the crowd we jumped. Never came close to catching it. The Who gave the best musical performance I have ever seen. They were spectacular.
John 'The Ox' Entwistle was the 'quiet' bass player. Back in their early days they took to trashing the entire stage at the end of the show. All except John who used to protect his bass from the others. I saw this tour back when I was a bit younger and they used every watt of power from all those amps and speakers you saw on stage. They were the loudest act I ever saw. You didn't hear it in your head. The sound appeared to float somewhere about a foot above and behind your skull. They kept turning out hits for over 35 years, a feat very few bands can match.
They held the world record for the loudest ever gig for several years.
John Entwistle used to say it was like going on tour with three naughty children! He was very much the quiet one of the group and was nicknamed “The Ox” and also known as “Thunderfingers”.
@@michaelfoster5577 I watched this footage for years not being able understand how Townshend was playing what seems like a guitar part right at the end (8.52), until one day I released it was Entwistle doing it!
I think the December 6th, 1973 Capital Centre, Maryland recording is the best I've heard.
John may have been the quiet, sensible one onstage, but he left this World like a true Rockstar 😄
The Ox, aka Thunder Fingers, has no equal. His solos are a match for Eddie Van Halen. The Who pioneered so many things, including the use of lasers and choreographed light shows its ridiculous. As for stage presence, give it up, they were and are the masters.
As a stage performance coach, it may interest you to know that this was actually two performances cut together. They played a special invite only concert for their fans at the studio they were recording the show for their band retrospective film "The Kids Are Alright." They played the tune, but the ending wasn't exciting enough for the director of the film, so he convinced the band to go back out and play the song again, this time Pete did his famous slide on his knees at the end and the rest is history. The moment it goes slow motion at the end is the second performance. Just a tiny bit of movie magic, drummer Keith Moon's very last time playing for an audience with The Who, he died that same year.
I read an interview once where Roger Daltry said some times in live performance that he would go for a note even when he knew he might not make it because he knew the emotion and feeling was what counted and the audience was with him regardless.
I have heard this scream literally thousands of times in my life on this video, live, record - you name it. I have never heard it and not gotten goose bumps. THE greatest scream in the history of the medium.
Boston "More Than A Feeling" is contending that title.
But is it really a scream or a cry? 🤔
Ted Nugent’s scream at the end of Motor City Madhouse on Double Live Gonzo is THE greatest!
Agree. It always moves me, too, and I've been listening to it since 1979.
I’m with you. I’ve always put it down as the single best scream in rock and roll.
Now that is stage performance. The Who are the originators of smashing instruments. 🤘😎🤘
I saw The Who in 1976 at Madison Square Garden in NYC. I was 17 years old. I've been to many concerts before and since and it was by far the best concert I ever went to. This song topped the bill as you can see. Same frenetic energy. And with all the crazy energy, there's John Entwistle just standing there playing that incredible bass.
The definition of ROCK!
I’ve seen this one thousand times and it NEVER gets old.
The girl is beautiful. What a smile….
A brilliant band, both musically and in stage presence. Pete Townshend's guitar heroics, Roger Daltrey's amazing vocals, Keith Moon's crazy frenetic drumming, and "the quiet one", Jon Entwistle, perhaps the greatest rock bass player there has ever been. All accompanied by Townshend's excellent songwriting. And "What just happened?" is a common response to that performance!
Before Tommy became a huge hit The Who was over a million dollars in debt due to their antics both onstage and off (they also hand a penchant for destroying hotel rooms). Their managers never told them how badly in debt they were. But after Tommy they were enormous world wide stars.
I love how John just quietly goes about his business (with amazing alacrity!) while all the histrionics are going on!
Keith had calmed way down by the time of this performance, though. Sadly, he also died later that same year, '78.
This song is the pinnacle of rock and roll. It is at the highest top of the biggest mountain of rock. Many have tried to emulate and never quite reached the top !
Saw the band in the late '70's in Detroit. I'm Australian, she'd spent 12 months over here and was showing me around her hometown. She loved Bob Seger, damn I listened to a lot of Bob, didn't bother me, I liked me some Bob. She also loved The Who, I did too. They were playing Detroit so we got 2 tickets to the show. It was a huge show, I'd guess 15,000 at an outdoor venue. We were both short asses, I'm 5'4"" she was 5'1", so we spent most of the night with her sitting on my shoulders. The band played so good and were so loud, it was a great night. Julie wanted to stand on my shoulders, I asked her to give me a moment. I turned around and there was a fella and his lass kinda behind us, they were to one side as they couldn't see through us. Told him what we were gonna do, I said, " if she falls forwards I'll catch her, if she falls backwards would you mind catching her or at the very least break her fall." He said, "not a problem bro." Julie fell backwards, I turned around real quick and old mate caught her perfectly. A gymnast, ballet kind of catch, both hands under her armpits, breaking the fall whilst lowering her to the ground, on her feet. We thanked him. We all got chatting and just partied together. We all went for pizza after the show. I've heard a lot of things about Detroit, but that night that crowd was the most positive, happy bunch of people I've ever been put in stadium with. They were there for the music, the band delivered in spades and they were really beautiful to this Aussie and his Yankee girlfriend.
The Who were the band that pretty much invented guitar smashing and general instrument destruction on stage. And by their standards, that was pretty tame. If you can handle it, check out their performance of "My Generation" from the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.
I agree, though I wonder how she would feel about Jimi Hendrix at the same festival.😄
@JamesDavis-sh9gh Although there's something sensual about Jimi's guitar sacrifice: The Who's almost complete stage destruction was pure unhinged violence by comparison. Plus, Jimi only did that to try and upstage The Who, whereas they would have done it anyway.
Or countless Ritchie Blackmore gigs where he smashed his guitar with Deep Purple or Rainbow....?@@JamesDavis-sh9gh
This performance was filmed at Shepperton Studios near London to be used in a movie from The Who called "The Kids Are Alright". In the studio next to where The Who were performing, the movie "Alien" was being filmed. The cast and crew of "Alien" took a break and went over to watch the performance by The Who. They like the laser show at the end of the song so much, they borrowed the laser equipment from The Who and used it in "Alien". So next time you watch "Alien", keep an eye out for The Who's lasers.
That’s pretty cool. I remember the green laser in Alien scanning the inside of the spaceship. I’ll definitely think about the Who now each time I watch the movie!😂
The Who are my favorite live band. I saw them in concert in 1970, 1980 and 2019
When Pete slides out at 8:41 it is FREAKIN SPINE TINGLING . thanks for reacting as you did!!
Epic the first time. Epic the 100th time.
It's spine tingling because of Roger's epic scream.
That was a great reaction! Wow! As I'm sure many have you explained, The Who would end their shows in their early days smashing up their instruments. This clip you just saw is at the end of their very last performance (before the drummer died a month later). It was done just for the cameras to end a (great) documentary about the band, and so, knowing that it was on film, Pete smashed his guitar a few times for old times sake. Those Les Paul guitars are VERY heavy and very durable, it's a solid body guitar, a solid piece of wood. No worries!
The "smashing" of instruments fit the song. Part of the message.
"Who Are You" was the theme for CSI, "Won't Get Fooled Again" for CSI: Miami, "Baba O'Riley" for CSI: NY and "I Can See For Miles" for CSI Cyber.
1st time here. GREAT reaction to one of the greatest bands ever.
We'll done and thank you! By the way They all stole the show in their own way. The bassist with his fingers. The guitar is just a tool of the new revolution. Don't be sad.
A little perspective to the band you just watched…..the singer, the drummer, and the bass player are all widely considered in the top three all time at their craft, while the guitar player (no slouch himself) is the genius behind the band and wrote a majority of their very large catalog of songs. Truly a superstar band! Check out Baba O’Riley and Who Are You when you get the chance.
Thank you reacting to my favorite band. Seen them live 2 times, and it was a wild show. Loudest I ever heard, can feel the bass down to your bone.
What years did you see them? I saw them post Moon in 1982 (the farewell tour, ha!)) and 2002. I liked 2002 show better as Zak had the energy of Moon.
I seen them in 1976 at a all day concert at Anaheim California, and in the 90's in Atlanta, Georgia.@@doubleubee7523
If you're not busting your equipment on stage, you haven't made it as a Rock Star. All hail Pete Townsend! Glorious!
That is The Who. They had a lot of rebellious energy. The guitarist Pete Townsend, wrote most of their material. And yes he used to break guitars on stage. The drummer Keith Moon was another character all together. Epic partier. The singer Roger Daltry was and still is the consummate front man in all that chaos. Along with bassist John Entwhistle who was the quiet one.
Well said. You know they have much more to offer than just the destruction shtick when you hear one of their songs that's at least half-ballad, like Love, Reign O'er Me, or Gettin' In Tune, or Behind Blue Eyes.
Yeah, they called him 'Moon the Loon' for good reasons! 😅
Facial reactions are priceless!! The Who were well know band for their great music growing up but also for distroying their instruments on stage back in the day
That was fun watching your reaction. If you want to see more of the Who live you should definitely check out their legendary performance of 'Young Man's Blues' from the Isle of Wight Festival 1970.
The instruments will be fine! That finished the song perfectly.
To me, Won't Get Fooled Again will always be one of the greatest rock songs ever written! from one of my favourite albums Who's Next. Brings back so many good memories from my youth.
The who are famous for the loud scream, the windmill strum, destruction of instruments, and the manic drummer. Animal from the Muppet Show was inspired by a blend of Keith Moon (The Who) and John Bonnam (Led Zeppelin).
Honestly having seen and got so much joy from this many times - it's like I'm watching it for the first time.
A pleasure shared is a pleasure doubled!
I enjoyed the reaction.
A little knowledge of The Who going into this would have at least prepared you for the end.
The smashing of guitars started as an accident turned into a performance piece at the end of early shows, they dropped it for most of their career, although from time to time it would come back, for this performance for instance, which was done for the Movie "The Kids Are Alright." In the context of their on stage antics, and their brash Who sound on stage, you can better accept the destructive element as what Townshend has said is a sort of Auto Destructive Art Form. Really just one facet of Who they are, But, What I Love about The Who, is that there are other facets, of Inspiration, Intelligence, Love, Light, As Well as the amazing entertaining performances to balance out and contrast against the Destructive aspect. Hence we have music that transcends mere pop enjoyment. At least for me anyway.
Very eloquent and insightful. Thank you!
A little knowledge of The Who would have helped in general. They were emphatically NOT Roger’s backing band.
The bad boys of rock in the 60's. Rebellion and emotion = over the top performances and anything goes.
Every time I hear this I think of November 22, 1973. Thanksgiving night. The Forum in Inglewood, CA. It was raining. Me an 19,999 other lucky souls witnessed the greatest rock concert of all time. If you were there, you know.
Having seen this show countless times, I can still say I see and hear something new each and every time.
Just saw them in concert and the energy is still there even in their 70’s. Amazing
At their peak, (1973-1978) and this was just slightly passed it -- SLIGHTLY -- they were hands down the greatest live act in rock n roll. They were driving the bus.
I would say 1969-73. The 1973 recordings of this song are definitive.
This was ‘77
Not sure if you caught the singer's overhead mic-spinning moves? That was a classic Daltrey move - pretty grand!! He spun that bad boy way out over the audience sometimes! These guys were true GIANTS of rock, on a very short list of epic, genre defining, world famous originators of modern rock and roll. In my opinion, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd are the only others in their league. And I'd put the original Jimi Hendrix Experience in there too, despite the tragically small catalog.
Prince had some concerts that were up there, different vibe and all as he was a different cat, but could bring it on in concert.
Your reaction was priceless!
Now you know how we felt years ago, when anything goes.
The more you get into them, the more you can appreciate their talent and artistry.
Some of their songs are really deep. I suggest among the other songs would be
"Who Are You?" and "Behind Blue Eyes".
When they came out I was more into Dylan and folk songs so I haven't really
explored them myself.
What I like about these bands back then, they liked to showcase all the group.
Congratulations! You just discovered the first power cord posing, instrument and hotel room smashing, unbridled GODS of ROCK!
The last performance of the late GREAT KEITH MOON. Unfortunately this was my FIRST time seeing the band on a TV show called "Midnight Special". I was a fan after this.
This is the SECOND TAKE of the song. The filmmaker had an issue with the first take and sheepishly asked the band if they could go out and do the song again! So this performance was, "Yeah, we'll do it again. AND MAKE SURE YOU GET IT FILMED THIS TIME!" and is over the top. If the drums hadn't been NAILED DOWN, Moon would have smashed them to bits. RIP Moony!
That just made your job as a stage performance coach a whole lot easier. Bring in some form of projection, show your students this video and simply say "THAT!!!!!!!".
Did you not see the Roger swinging the mic, tossing and catching it? You wanted more? Good grief!
I first saw this clip somewhere around 1990, as it was filmed for the documentary "The Kids Are Alright", and while watching that film, I saw this and many other amazing moments. And I've been a fan ever since, as I knew the Who from the radio(WGFA, Pinball Wizard, Bargain, etc.), and Tommy I guess, but I never knew live music could be so visual. Your reaction is probably the closest to my own that day(minus the instrument issues, as that was their thing for a time, but they always recycled)as my mind was blown and I went out and bought everything I could find at the time.
Pete the guitarist said him, Roger(singer) & Keith(drummer) had always been in competition with one another for the audiences attention during a show. And while Roger always lost and John never bothered to compete, him and Keith would win out in the end, and you can see that level of competition here. Sadly, the Keith you see here wasn't at 100%(the other members are at 110%), but still a force behind the kit. If you loved this, which it appears you did, watch "A Quick One" from the Rolling Stones R&R Circus special and there you can see Keith at 110%, as it's another jaw dropping performance.
+1 for "A Quick One" from 'The Rolling Stones' Rock 'n Roll Circus' special! I'd watched that for the first time only recently and then OCD'ed on it for several days! 😅 Yeah, Keith sure is unusually tame in this here performance. He sadly also died later that same year.
It has often been said about The Who that Pete played lead guitar, John played lead bass, Keith played lead drums and Roger was the lead vocalist. It's hard to realize there are only three instruments, because John did so much on bass it filled all the holes. Pete once said about John that if they ever lost him, it would take seven other musicians to replace him. When he died, that is exactly what happened. Your reaction at the end is not unique for those just seeing the Who for the first time. Originally, they were playing in a small club with a low ceiling and Pete jumped up and broke his guitar on the ceiling. He went on to demolish the thing on the stage and it got a huge reaction from the audience. They eventually included it in the act, breaking instruments frequently. It took quite a while before they turned a profit. Keith once blew up his drum kit with explosives on the Smothers Brother's TV show. They used too much and it caused hearing damage in Pete's ears that he still has today. You have to remember, they began at a very turbulent time in England in the 60's, and they represented a violent faction of the youth groups Mods and Rockers, so the destruction was seen as a statement. Pete wrote about 95% of their songs and, indeed, took drugs around the time of the performance, but eventually kicked the habits. He was always wound up and was a show within himself. It was almost a competition between the three of them for attention, while John was the anchor who kept the stage from flying away. He let his fingers do all of his jumping around. Pete's lyrics are genius, and he was one of my major influences in my own writing. Nice reaction!
At 8:30,I just LOOVVEE your reaction when you saw KEITH MOON drum solo and his drum set lighting up like that,it's so rock and roll.
You should see it when Keith Moon likes his drum set on fire! No, it was a really cool thing then and as a musician and someone who has smashed a couple guitars, you end up working on them, you already know them inside out, you are so physically connected with them it's unbelievable. So in a way it's almost like a bonding experience with your instrument. Plus it's just fun. But they would spend hours afterwards working on their instruments, doing repairs. A labor of love in a way, and sometimes dealing with the inevitable loss of a favorite guitar. It cracks me up how those metal cymbals were just flying around the stage and nobody really cared. They were so in the moment, it wasn't an issue.
This was 1978. They'd been smashing gear since '64 or '65- it was part of their act....
🚬😎👍
One of the reasons why I love The Who so much is I saw Pete Townsend jam his guitar into an amp once 😈
They were wild, focused, without rules, without inhibitions - raw and powerful ❤
Many guitars were sacrificed on the alter of rock haha
Just recently discovered your reviews - you are a pleasure to watch!
Your reaction dear brings a smile to the Old mans face , because that is what we thought when we heard this on the Radio back in the Day.Truly one on the Best Rock and Roll albums of all time , the whole album is exceptional , listen to it all...enjoy
This is a story of third time's the charm. The Who were looking to make a concert film and documentary on themselves and wanted to get a multi angle pro shot clip of Won't Get Fooled Again for it. They tried in 1977, it wasn't happening. They regrouped a year later and the first take was okay but not amazing. The second take, the one seen here, was finally the magic take they were looking for.
Just think this performance was at the end of a show with them giving this kind of energy all through the show.
I saw The Who 3 times within a few months of this show. They were spectacular each time. I also saw there last 'full destruction' tour in the late sixties when "I Can See For Miles' was charting in a half-empty 5,000 seater. Spectacular. I saw them do 'Tommy' twice at The Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Spectacular.
I never liked the 'wreck the instruments, amps, and drums thing but they were trying to get noticed in a field dominated by The Beatles and Rolling Stones. They got noticed...oh, and they just happened to be a top five greatest all time rock band. Rock Mayhem!
I'll just take a moment and note that Pete T managed all of that spinning and bouncing and other activity with a guitar connected to a cord, and never tripped over it or wrapped himself up in it. Weren't no wireless technology in those days. From your reaction to the guitar bashing, I'd suggest a song by John Hiatt called Smashing A Perfectly Good Guitar, where he fully agrees with you.
The Who from my day ... watched these guys live .... AMAZING!!!!! Don't get live performances like this nowadays :)
My introduction to The Who, local cinema, Tauranga NZ, circa 1980, 15yr old, massive PA install, double billed with Neil Young Rust Never Sleeps! From that moment on all I wanted to do was play guitar... Townsend, Young 🤘
Bring back aggression and passion! Its why most modern music is lame. Soft, safe and unimaginative. Give me this any day!
I saw them on the UK leg of that tour (Leicester Granby Halls, Saturday 18 October 1975, 'Who By Numbers' tour), with the lasers, and it was the tightest, rawest, most powerful -- and loudest -- rock performance I have ever seen. They were on top form. It was brilliant and unforgettable. I was 17 years old. It seems like yesterday, still so fresh in my memory. I still have the tour book, in near-mint condition.
I only watch this again and again because I am in love with The Confident Singer.
I love how peoples react when they see Pete Townshend break a guitar for the first time. All emotions scroll on their face. XD
When I was discovering the Who and i read Pete Townshend did that and after I see some images and videos, I say to mysylf "Whaaa ! That it's rock !" It's perfect traduction of the rock feeling. Pure expression of the music. Emotion and frustration. Materialization in one movement of the energy of a rockshow.
Your reaction to the ending of the song made me laugh so loud, I woke the neighbors.
The Who was part of the post World War II generation in England. Their music is part of processing personal and corporate trauma. In this context there emerged a destructive performative practice. Half of the band members died too young. The rest, Pete Townsend and Roger Daltry are wonderful chaps and still do some performances.
“Still do some performances…”?
They still tour. And do great 2 1/2 hour shows.
The Who at their peak were beyond compare. Great reaction vid, thanks for sharing! Btw, by this time Pete Townsend usually stopped short of actually destroying his guitars, just banging them on the stage a bit "for the show". The first time it happened was a at a club with a low ceiling, Pete lifted the guitar dramatically accidentally driving it into the ceiling and snapping off the neck; in a rage he took the Rickenbacker (!!!) off and smashed it to bits. Their manager said something like "the crowd went nuts, smash another one!". The band built up a bit of debt in their early years because of such shenanigans.
I was laughing at your reaction to his slamming his guitar. That was part of their stage show. They were famous for doing that.
Townsend was high and drunk off his ass. Great performance.
best reaction! so natural!
thank you!
the scream heard around the world, Roger invented the Rock n Roll scream
too much cocaine will have you smashing guitars 😂🎸
Guitar smashing was quite popular then. Many groups had guitar players that finished their shows by doing that. Also, The Who was just about the first, if not THE first to incorporate a laser light show into their live performance, so this was very early in the laser era.
That moment at 8:44 in your video is, for me, one of THE most iconic shots in the history of rock and roll.
No band played with the energy like "The Who" ! One of two bands in R&R that left the others behind. The other being Jethro Tull. I saw the Who 3 times ..... so powerful !
The knee slide and vocal scream was an iconic photo. I had the poster as a teen. I would look at it for hours dreaming of being a rock star.
Do watch some more Who. Very accomplished musicians and performers!
The best band ever just pure rock and roll RIP Keith and John truly missed.
Glad to see this version reviewed. I prefer it to the studio version plus you can see the energy of the band.
Also like how John is more pronounced than the studio.
One of the best live rock performances ever, the guitar smashing was the icing on the cake, wish there where more bands like the Who, today’s music is pathetic!
Always love your reactions! thanks. I have seen the Who multiple times and the guitarist usually breaks his guitar and throws it in the audience
Keith Moon also blew up his drum kit at concerts and on a TV appearance on The Smothers Brothers show. He also blew up toilets in some of the hotels and motels they stayed in. Pete Townsend only smashed some cheaper, older guitars not those used in the studio for recording their albums. It happened by accident at one of their earliest performances and the audience liked it, so they made it part of the show.
Love The Who just for doing what they did - My Generation
Smashing the instruments at the end of their performance was part of their act for many years. Became expensive but people loved it.
Peter Townshead wrote the song. I guess he could do anything he wanted to his guitar during the performance. Roger Daltrey was so athletic as the lead singer. His swinging of the mic was unbelievable. Nobody got hurt! Wow!
Watch them on the Smothers Brothers, where they knocked CBS?, Off the air, I saw them in Duluth Minn, and actually went up on stage, and photographed Keith Moons Pictures of Lily's drum kit, I was drummer myself, and heard the Who's first song in the US Happy Jack, as a custom painter my voice mail was " I Can See for Miles", the greatest rock orchestration ever.
I read a long time ago that just before they became big...lol, they were starting to make a name for themselves but weren't making a lot of money yet...they were one night playing in a club with an unusually low ceiling over the stage. Pete, in his antics, accidentally jammed the neck of the guitar up into the ceiling and damaged it. He was initially upset because it was going to cost a good bit to repair or replace the guitar. But apparently it looked purposeful...and the crowd went bananas. They figured "well, give the people what they want, I guess". I read that almost 40 yrs ago, I might have the details not quite right, but that's the gist of why they started wrecking equipment at the end of the act...it sold tickets.
The power of The Who!! The best!!
Saw them perform Quadrophenia at Madison Square Garden July ‘96. Amazing!
Yes! Yes! ROCK AND ROLL!!!
10 seconds later...OMG did he just hit that guitar?
You clearly have a lot to learn about Rock music. Good luck with your channel.
The Who was rebels, they destroy hotelrooms, instruments, everything. The music is awsome :)
You absolutely must hear and see "A Quick One, While He's Away" live!!
Thank you for posting
This is the who they can do what they like
9.02 - “Rock n’ roll, baby.” You said it, sister. 👊🏼
Perfect timing for the closeup on Moon. “can we agree the guitarist is the star of the sho…oh well the drummer yeah”. KM would NOT be outdone.
Drummers belong in the front, singer in the back according to Mr. Moon...which is why Roger said he spent the first few years on stage dodging drumsticks flying at his head. 🤣
So funny to see young people discovering The Who! Pete wrote most of the music as well. Music was more honest in those days. You should watch Jimmy set his guitar on fire at Monterey, his performance was epic as well.
1979, this live song turned me into a rock junkie for life! Salute to the WHO!