Toronto Sun review of Toronto

[Brian Cady <brianinatlanta2001@xxxxxxxxx>]

Online here:
http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoShowbiz/ts.ts-09-29-0069.html

Two for The Who
Daltrey, Townshend carry on tradition
By JANE STEVENSON

The Who's John Entwistle-less Tour wrapped up last
night at the Air Canada Centre with 2 hours and 15
minutes of passionate, loud and often exciting music
that went a long way towards explaining why the
seminal rock band was on the road in the first place. 

Both original singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete
Townshend came under fire in some quarters when they
decided to go ahead with their latest roadtrip in
early July despite the death of founding bassist
Entwistle just days earlier from a heart attack at the
Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. 

At the time, Daltrey and Townshend -- who also toured
after the 1978 death of drummer Keith Moon -- said
they were going ahead with the approval of the bass
player's family. They also just may have not known
what else to do but soldier on. 

An acknowledgement of the legendary bassist's death
came right before the concert with a statement from
JBL Speakers, followed by a quote from Entwistle
himself shown on two video screens. 

That was followed by video of the band practising at
Townshend's house back in June, mere weeks before
Entwistle's death. 

Later, images of Entwistle's face throughout the
band's 39 year history was displayed on the screens
right before the encore to huge applause from the
crowd. 

Fortunately, given the weight of Entwistle's death
hanging over them, neither Daltrey, 58, nor Townshend,
57, disappointed last night as the group's longtime
focal points. 

Daltrey spun and danced around the stage, occasionally
whipping his microphone, while Townshend delivered his
trademark windmill move and some truly breathtaking
solos during Who Are You, Bargain, Baba O' Riley,
5:15, Behind Blue Eyes andWon't Get Fooled Again. The
sold-out audience of 13,000, meanwhile, didn't have
time to dislike the taste of anything with four
seminal Who hits -- I Can't Explain, Substitute,
Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere and Who Are You --kicking off
the concert in quick and wonderful succession. 

Last-minute bass replacement Pino Palladino,
meanwhile, was perfectly adept on his instrument and
respectfully hugged the back speakers to maintain a
low-key presence. But The Ox, as Entwistle was
affectionately known, was definitely missed as The
Who's anchor man, particularly his signature solo on
My Generation. 

Otherwise, Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey did his papa
proud, expertly beating up his drum kit during Won't
Get Fooled Again, Sparks and See Me, Feel Me while
Townshend's brother, Simon, sang backup vocals and
played guitar alongside keyboardist John "Rabbit"
Bundrick. 

The Who, who played their "final" concert at Maple
Leaf Gardens back in 1982, have come to designate
Toronto as the place to either begin or end their
tours. Whether or not he and Daltrey will continue on
as The Who -- now that they've proven they can
successfully tour as a twosome --remains to be seen. 

THE WHO 

Air Canada Centre 
Sun Rating: 4 out of 5


=====
-Brian in Atlanta
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