Concert Reviews

By Chuckles

November 23, 2006 12:42 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the quick review, Rodney!

Yes, it was a fine show. A couple of things I noticed:

The local radio stations usually have their Hummer-du-jour team set up outside the arena about a half hour or so before the doors open. Tonite, they were all late. And DAVEFM and 97.1The River were the only attendees. It was sad not to see 96Rock. Their loss.

The place was a virtual sell out. I haven’t often seen folks park across the street at the local Kroger parking lot, but they had to tonite. The also had to for the Queen concert earlier this year.

The sound was VERY clean and not as deafinig as it had been in the past. In this respect, Gwinnett Arena seems to be better than Phillips.

There were a LOT of kids and teens at the concert. After ‘My Generation’ Townsend mentioned that the song was “…your song now. It certainly isn’t ours anymore.” He also mentioned the EMT’s that visited him before the concert that he had thanked for helping him when he had injured himself here in Atlanta in 2000.

Roger Daltrey played a LOT more guitar this time around than in 2000. The fact that Pete had said publically that he was “…the last real member of the Who. After all, Roger can’t play an instrument, really, so I guess I’m the last playing member of the Who…” So, I guess Roger wanted to strum along for effect.

If you haven’t ever seen the Who live, had heard their music but were put off by Townsend’s preachyness or self-indulgent operatic turns, their show is still a high-energency nod back to when rock didn’t suck. They may be in their 60’s, but they are still a heck of a lot better & more valid than the music company-generated Nickelbackthirdeyeblindstaind bands we suffer through today.

Long live rock.

By babaoreily

November 23, 2006 12:49 AM | Link to this

Although the show was very good and Daltry and Townsend can still rock, it just seems like a money grab. Filling the cofers for a comfy retirement, complete with multiple screen ads for Who CD’s and DVD’s. Even though Zak Starkey is a great drummer and the replacement bass player is technically excellent they are not Keith Moon and John Entwhistle. I love the Who but no more concerts for me. One of the highlights for me was to have been John “Rabbit” Bundrick playing keyboards. His keyboard technician filled in exceptionally well but it just didn’t seem the same. Long live Rock.

By cherokee dawg

November 23, 2006 1:34 AM | Link to this

I was disappointed Spinal Tap had to cancel as the opening act and be replaced by the Pretenders (who pretended to be Spinal Tap). Odd. Anyway, the Who rocked and did a great show. Townshend can still cut a rift like the early days. Good mix of classics and the great new songs.

By Mitch Evans

November 23, 2006 1:53 AM | Link to this

Rodney, from this old rocker who first saw The Who as a pre-teen in ‘71, the show was great, especially from the third row!

By Skip Welborn

November 23, 2006 2:12 AM | Link to this

4th trip to see the Who. First with my three teenage sons. (Teenage wasteland,lol) I think it was fantastic to see them again. They still have a tremendous stage presence, even if the voices have aged. Quite a mix of ages in the crowd too. Long live Rock! Skip Welborn Rome, Georgia

By Whofan70

November 23, 2006 9:16 AM | Link to this

The Who were amazing last night. I sat 10 rows from the stage and was mezmorized by Pete and Roger. At 62, Pete and Roger look great. It amazes me at how easy they make it look on stage but yet being so close last night I could finally get a sense for the effort they put into it. I’m in my 30’s and don’t think I could do it like they do.

Pete and Roger also have terrific musicians along with them. Zak Starkey is reminiscent of the late Keith Moon and Pino Palladino does not replace John Entwistle but admirably fills his spot.

An awesome concert by an all-time great band.

By Danny

November 23, 2006 9:45 AM | Link to this

As one of the old ones in the crowd, the concert was perfect, despite the poor ecoustics of the Gwinnett Arena. It is with great pride that I am from the Who generation and we were condemed for our outlook on life and “hippie” mentality. Apparently the Who and our generation did alright to be able to afford the 80.00 tickets and 35.00 t-shirts. The show was slick and the music was well played. Thanks Who for giving us one more chance to enjoy your songs.

By Stephen Smith

November 23, 2006 9:48 AM | Link to this

Great review on the Who show last night. The guys still have it. Baba O’Riley was also the first song played on 96 Rock, back in 1974.

By Randy Golden

November 23, 2006 9:58 AM | Link to this

On the way home from the show, my 18 year old son said, “Gees Dad, I didn’t know your generation could rock like that.” I haven’t had that much fun in quite some time. What a show! Thanks Roger, Pete and all of The Who.

By Jim

November 23, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this

Great show. Roger and Peter were incredible and the band was top notch. Daltrey looks incredible for 62!

By David

November 23, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

Great. I wasn’t going to go see the Who on this tour since I saw ‘em in ‘89 and I can’t imagine they’d be better. Then I read here the Pretenders opened up. Okay, smack my head for not paying attention to recent concerts. This would have been a no-brainer with that lineup!

By Brian Cady

November 23, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this

Just a couple of corrections.

1) It’s Townshend with an “h,” not Townsend. At least you spelled Daltrey correctly.

2) The Who only had one farewell tour in 1982. None of the following tours were ever advertised and discussed in the press before or during their runs as farewell or last tours.

Otherwise, good review even if it didn’t catch the high level of excitement going back and forth from the audience to the band. It may be the best reaction The Who have gotten from an Atlanta audience since I saw them in 1975.

By Atlanta Blue

November 23, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

I beleive Baba O’Riley is the theme to CSI:NY, not Miami. CSI:Miami uses “We Won’t Get Fooled Again”, and the original CSI uses “Who Are You”.

Of course, all the CSI shows start to meld together after a while, almost as much as the Law and Order franchise.

By babao'riley

November 23, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

While the performance last night was terrific you can’t help but wonder if this isn’t just another money grab by Townsend and Daltry to line the cofers of their retirement fund. The new songs particularly the “mini Opera” were well played and relevent. I just can’t seem to get my arms around a band called the Who without Keith Moon and John Entwhistle. Their replacements, Zak Starkey and Pino Paladino are exceptional players, but it just ain’t the same. “Long Live Rock”

By Kentavo

November 23, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

This show rocked!

By Lifelong Atlantan

November 23, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

Good job Rodney, did you know that Baba O’Riley was also the first song played on 96 Rock in the seventies when it changed from a classical format?

By Gary

November 23, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

The Who without Keith Moon and John Entwhistle are not The Who. Especially Keith Moon. I saw them twice. Once at the Old Municipal Auditorium near Georgia State where because they were three hours late played the entire Tommy album and a lot more. The second time, I had 10th row center tickets on the Who’s Next tour. That was the best live concert I have ever seen, especially on Won’t get fooled again.Who’s next is the most underated album of all time and was spectacular live. Won’t get fooled again with the goose stepping and the Nazi salutes and Pete Townsend jumping from a large amp and sliding across the stage was the most intense live performance I had ever seen until a Phil Collins performance at Lakewood in 1992? of In the Air tonight. Ah, a trip down original group memory lane. By the way, I had second row center tickets for Phil Collins.

By time for the truth

November 23, 2006 1:17 PM | Link to this

This review whilst factually correct (as far as it goes) gives little sense of how the concert went. The Who quietly walked on stage, nonchalantly picked up their instruments and started singing oldies. No pretension, no announcements, no dramatic Stones like entrance. Just playing like an average pub band anywhere back in their (and my) native England.

The video screens for the opening three oldies were dominated by images of mods - their formative legacy - and other mostly English 60’s visual ‘memorabilia’. Instilling the hope that this would be a show largely devoted to their iconic back catalogue. Sadly such fond hopes were shortly dashed by the lengthy devotion to their new, more thoughtful but noticeably weaker material.

Quadraphenia was regrettably completely ignored - as was Tommy until the encore. Many of their classic singles including I Can See For Miles, Happy Jack, Pictures of Lily and the show stopping - show ending Magic Bus were also inexplicably omitted. My Generation surprisingly lacked any real zip.

Yet Endless Wire was endlessly featured - hardly to rapturous applause. I wasn’t expecting a faithful replication of the legendary extended Live At Leeds show but an opportunity was missed to really revel in the past which most folks were there for - judging by the comments I heard all around me and as I left.

At times, albeit only too briefly, they effortlessly rivalled the similarly ageing Stones - who have clearly much better mastered the balance of old versus new expectations - with the old magic as they rocked with the best of them. But overall it was a very patchy concert that never really caught fire beyond a much loved hit here and a classic there. This was obviously deliberate as they frequently alternated between the new and the old - sensing very wisely the crowd wouldn’t want too much of the new. They even seemingly slightly defensively flagged songs with here’s something new or back to the old announcements.

The new album has deservedly sold poorly which should have told them that folks didn’t want too much of it.

I hope they come back very soon with a Stones or Eagles type golden oldies show… that will reflect unsurpassed English cultural imperialism at its very best.

By an English Who fan

November 23, 2006 1:40 PM | Link to this

This review whilst factually correct (as far as it goes) gives little sense of how the concert went for real life long Who fans. Having seen them several times including at the Lyceum Theater in London on the Quadraphenia tour, and at Charlton’s football ground (with Bad Company and Lou Reed et al at an all day 70’s festival) plus the the Hyde Park 90’s concert I have a good apprecaition of what the Who in concert are about. This was obviously not the classic line up - but that needn’t have spoiled things.

The Who quietly walked on stage last night, nonchalantly picked up their instruments and started singing oldies. No pretension, no announcements, no dramatic Stones like entrance. Just playing like an average pub band anywhere back in their (and my) native England.

The video screens for the opening three oldies were dominated by images of mods - their formative legacy - and other mostly English 60’s visual ‘memorabilia’. Instilling the hope that this would be a show largely devoted to their iconic back catalogue. Sadly such fond hopes were shortly dashed by the lengthy devotion to their new, more thoughtful but noticeably weaker material.

Quadraphenia was regrettably completely ignored - as was Tommy until the encore. Many of their classic singles including I Can See For Miles, Happy Jack, Pictures of Lily and the show stopping - show ending Magic Bus were also inexplicably omitted. My Generation surprisingly lacked any real zip.

Yet Endless Wire was endlessly featured - hardly to rapturous applause. I wasn’t expecting a faithful replication of the legendary extended Live At Leeds show but an opportunity was missed to really revel in the past which most folks were there for - judging by the comments I heard all around me and as I left.

At times, albeit only too briefly, they effortlessly rivalled the similarly ageing Stones - who have clearly much better mastered the balance of old versus new expectations - with the old magic as they rocked with the best of them. But overall it was a very patchy concert that never really caught fire beyond a much loved hit here and a classic there. This was obviously deliberate as they frequently alternated between the new and the old - sensing very wisely the crowd wouldn’t want too much of the new. They even seemingly slightly defensively flagged songs with here’s something new or back to the old announcements.

The new album has deservedly sold poorly which should have told them that folks didn’t want too much of it.

I hope they come back very soon with a Stones or Eagles type golden oldies show… that will reflect unsurpassed English cultural imperialism at its very best.

RODNEY RESPONDS: Thanks for your thoughts. I am indeed no Who expert and I’m glad to hear a perspective from one who has seen them many times before.

By brent

November 23, 2006 1:43 PM | Link to this

An amazing show, and the new album is KILLER, especially the song about Marty Robbins. They pull off a youger fresher feel live than the Stones did last year. Roger looked great, and suprisingly so did Pete. Hell, I hope they come back around before they ed the tour next summer. Hopefully by then all the $200-a-ticket snobs will have listened to the new songs, and will gett off their butts when they are played. Thank you, Pete!!!

By Coyote

November 23, 2006 4:49 PM | Link to this

The Who definitely lived up to expectations. Best concert I’ve seen in 20 years. Just awesome.

By Lisa

November 23, 2006 6:30 PM | Link to this

Awesome show! Roger’s voice was incredible and Pete’s playing as sharp as ever, of course. Wished the show could have lasted longer, but coming from a major WHO fan, I can never get enough of THE WHO!!!

By Mike

November 23, 2006 9:52 PM | Link to this

also just noticed the mini opera is listed incorrectly on the setlist. They didn’t play Unholy Trinity. They played the song Endless Wire instead

By John Graham

November 23, 2006 9:53 PM | Link to this

FYI - in between Pinball Wizard and See Me, Feel Me, the band played Amazing Journey and Sparks. RODNEY: Thanks. That’s now fixed.

By wkt

November 25, 2006 7:22 AM | Link to this

Mr. Ho is clearly not a big Who fan (let’s at least get Pete’s name spelled correctly), but maybe we need that objectivity. Myself, big fan. The concert was phenomenal. The technology mentioned in the review was impressive. With the opener, “Can’t Explain,” we were treated to a mind-blowing montage of the early Who in pictures, MTV-style.

Of course, they could’ve played more hits, but a four-hour show might be overdoing it for the over-60 rockers. Roger, in his black t-shirt and jeans (still as buff as ever) spun and twirled his taped-up microphone on it’s cord (do we still really need mic cords?). Pete, while not as spry as he used to be, still windmilled it through several power cords. And, a handful of scissor jumps excited the crowd.

As for the band, they were world class, including Zak Starkey’s superhuman drumming (my new favorite drummer). Even Keith Moon must’ve been saying, “Wow.”

Simply put, The Who proved they’re still one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

By wkt

November 26, 2006 9:09 AM | Link to this

I know how important objectivity is as a reporter and concert reviewer, but I’d like to see a Who fan write a review (I mean, let’s at least spell Pete’s name correctly).

The show was phenomenal. Roger, in his jeans and black t-shirt (looking as buff as ever) sounded excellent. He twirled the taped-up corded microphone several times (do we really need a cord these days?).

Pete was also in rare form. While not as nimble as he used to be, he still gave us a few scissor jumps. And of course, he also windmilled several power cords. Awesome.

The visual effects were also awesome. With five huge screens, old clips and explosions of color filled the backstage during the entire two-hour experience. For the opening song, “I Can’t Explain,” the crowd was treated to an Mtv-style montage of photographs of early Who. From that high-point it only got better.

Pete expressed his sincere appreciation to the audience for spending their hard-earned money for tickets. Bono is the only other person I’ve ever heard do that.

I first saw the Who during their 25th annivesary tour in 1989. They have improved with age. This, their 42nd anniversary tour, was well worth the cash.