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The Who San Jose 19 Oct



Since I know TAPEBOY is "off duty" for one night, I will try (however 
inadequately) to give some details from the first San Jose show.

Although tickets were on sale right up to the start of the show, and 
several touts were forlornly pushing tickets outside, the Arena was 
packed.  When the band took the stage at 8:50, they looked out on a 
sold out house whose roar that didn't let up until about 20 minutes 
or more into the show.  Perhaps as a result of the rousing reception, 
the band played with more enthusiasm than I saw up in Tacoma.  Once 
again, Townshend fans had to settle with Pete on acoustic.  Simon, 
however, is getting the feel for the leads, and did a fine job.  
(Simon fans should catch his show, 8:00, on Monday 21 Oct at 
Maestro's, 2323 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon.  Phone: (510) 855-
0370.) 

John was simply amazing as always. (By the way, John had a art show 
this week in San Francisco at the Triton Hotel which ends today 20 
October.  Anyone in the area who wants to see John's work close up or 
buy some for the office can check it out.  The Triton Hotel is on the 
300 block of Grant Street, near China Town.  John is supposed to be 
in attendence in the early afternoon.)  By the way, John finally got 
some richly deserved attention during the show.  Given the 
opportunity for a bass solo, he brought the crowd to its feet by 
running up and down the frets like a run away train.  As those who 
saw John's solo tour know, he is playing better now than he ever has. 
 Three background screens provided a great close view of John's 
flying fingers.  

A real treat throughout the concert was watching Zak Starkey beats 
the drums in a style all his own but with the force and drive The Who 
have been missing since 1978.  Sign this guy up and get him into a 
studio.  As has happened in earlier shows, Gary Glitter gets some 
recognition but Billy "The Sneer" Idol actually drives the crowd wild-
- -strange, since he can't sing the Ace Face's lines to save his soul.
Fortunately, both Roger and Pete's voices sounded strong all night 
long.  Gary and Billy add some theatrical flair but seem more or less 
surplus since Pete/Roger have better range and feel for the material. 
 Billy does a great "acting job"  for Bellboy, working the crowd with 
an obscene gesture and some bum wagging, only to be 'booted' off by 
Roger.  Considering the various vocalists and instrumental interludes 
throughout Quad, Roger is actually off stage a surprising amount of 
time.  Despite this, Roger exudes great excitement just to be back 
where he belongs--on stage anywhere with John to his right and Pete 
to his left.  (He might think about trying to age alittle, ala Pete 
or John,  before he gets tagged as the Dick Clark of the Who.  Man, I 
hope I look this healthy when I reach 50.)  

Pete's acoustic work adds a whole different dimension to what the 
band can do, and once again his "Drowned" was a highlight of the show.
  Pete finally strapped on an electric guitar for The Rock and Love, 
Reign O'er Me finale.  Coming back on stage, Pete commented that the 
band would do something "off the cuff" which led into the encore, 
beginning with an acoustic Won't Get Fooled Again.  John has worked 
in a strong but subdued bass line which gave the feeling that he was 
aching to go over and turn all his amps to "eleven".  Roger and 
guitar opened up an acoustic Who Are You with the crowd adding 
backing vocals.  After two verses Pete and the rest of the band 
kicked in and rocked the house.  Behind Blues Eyes sounded better 
than ever with Pete's acoustic opening and then Simon's, John's, and 
Zak's power entry at midpoint.  Finally, a delight for old fans, Pete 
was handed a 12 string cherry red Rickenbacker and the show ends with 
a driving version of Substitute.  All in all, a successful show with 
clear hints that it will only get better.  There are some 13-15 
people on stage during the show, but tonight The Who, older, wiser 
but still hell bent to rock, finally arrived on tour as well.  Forget 
nostalgia, America, this is not a cabaret show--it's rock and roll!   
 Rock on!