The Who In December (A History)

[briancady@juno.com (Brian S Cady)]

10 Years Ago This Month (1987)

On the 2nd, John Entwistle ends his 2nd solo tour of the U.S. accompanied
by Steve Luongo.

"Who's Missing" and "Two's Missing" are released on CD

The Save The Children fund sends out a Christmas card designed by Pete.

15 Years Ago This Month (1982)

The Who’s "farewell" tour continues with performances in Biloxi,
Mississippi on the 1st where the Who reintroduce "Love Ain’t For Keeping"
to the live set for the 1st time since 1971. The rest of the dates are
Hartford (2nd), Houston (3rd), Dallas (4th), St. Louis (6th), Milwaukee
(7th), Rosemont, Illinois (8th), Syracuse (10th), Worcester (11th),
Richfield, Ohio (13th and 14th) and finishing in Toronto on the 16th and
17th.  The concert on the 17th is shown simulcast in theaters and on
pay-per-view cable.  This show is later released as the video "Who Rocks
America."  The pay-per-view draws lower ratings than is expected.

Known opening acts are Billy Squire and Steel Breeze (Houston and
Dallas), David Johansen (Syracuse) and Little Stephen & the Disciples Of
Soul (Cleveland).

On the 4th, Pete smashes his guitar for the only time on the "Farewell"
tour.  After the show, Pete makes a demo of "Holly Like Ivy" on his TEAC
Portastudio. It ends up on "Another Scoop."

On the 15th, Variety reports that a Cincinnati judge has ruled that
punitive damages could not be awarded to the plaintiffs in the 1979
tragedy.  On the 18th, they report that a court decision has cleared the
city of Cincinnati of all responsibility in the 11 deaths at the 1979
concert.

In Listener magazine, Paul Gambaccini in an article called "The Who; now
for their last final appearance,"  predicts that the Who will someday
return. Rolling Stone magazine runs a picture of Roger, John and Kenney
playing field hockey with a women’s team - while wearing their uniforms.

On Christmas Day, "Eminence Front" backed with "One At A Time" hits the
U.S. charts.  It peaks at #68 in Billboard, #77 in Cash Box and is the
last Who single to hit the American Top One Hundred.  Plans to release it
as a single in the U.K. are scrapped.

20 Years Ago This Month (1977)

In the early part of the month recording on the "Who Are You" album
resumes.  "Had Enough" is recorded and strings are added to "Love Is
Coming Down" at Olympic Studio.

On the 15th, The Who hold a free afternoon concert at Kilburn State
Theatre to be filmed for the movie "The Kids Are Alright."  800 people
are allowed in, the only notice being an announcement that morning on
Capital Radio.  The band, however, is in rough shape with probably
everyone but Roger roaring drunk and the footage is rejected except for
Pete’s announcement that "There’s a guitar up here if any big mouth
f***ing little git wants to take it off me!"

The Who decide to take a break from recording "Who Are You" to get in
better shape.  Around this time an event may have occurred around which
there is some controversy.  The Who, their management, or some member of
the band are said to have held a sort of intervention with Keith, telling
him that he would have to control his drinking or he would be out of the
band.  Allegedly, a frightened Keith swore he would improve his condition
and playing.

25 Years Ago This Month (1972)

On the 9th, the Who participate in an all-star live performance of
"Tommy" with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Rainbow Theatre.  Roger
is Tommy, John is Cousin Kevin and Keith is Uncle Ernie.  Pete performs
his role as the narrator and plays acoustic guitar.  £10,000 is raised
for the Stars Organization For Spastics.

That month, the Who set up a mobile recording unit inside the unfinished
Ramport Studios to make their first attempt to record "Quadrophenia."  By
this point 14 to 15 songs had been written.  Kit Lambert is brought in by
Pete as producer, but it quickly becomes apparent that Kit is no longer
capable of focusing on the job.  Within the month, the results are judged
substandard and abandoned.  It is Kit’s last time as producer for the
Who.

On the 23rd, "Relay" backed with "Waspman" is released in Britain.  It
peaks at #21.  On the same day in New Musical Express, Chris Charlesworth
interviews John.  They discuss his new band Rigor Mortis and John gives
Chris a tour of his home.

On the 26th, the live orchestral "Tommy," recorded on the 9th, is
broadcast on radio.

30 Years Ago This Month (1967)

On the 1st, The Who finish their first headlining tour of the U.S. at the
Long Island Arena.  Vanilla Fudge opens.

By the 5th, The Who are back in London.  On that day the Beatles open the
first of their disastrous Apple business ventures, a clothing store
called The Apple Shop.  Keith attends the gala opening.

On the 6th, The Who were to have performed at Hull but the show was
canceled.  The reason given was that they had to head right back to the
U.S. for an appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and more U.S. dates. 
Neither actually occurs.

That month The Who’s fellow act in the U.S., Eric Burdon & The Animals,
release their single "Monterey" about that summer’s Monterey Pop
festival.  The Who are mentioned in the song. 

Hit Parader carries an interview with Pete in which he says that most
live bands don’t give audiences their money’s worth and he wants The Who
to change that.

On the 16th, "The Who Sell Out" LP is released in Britain.  Included with
the disc is a psychedelic poster of a butterfly.  The mono mix of the
album is noticeably different from the stereo mix featuring the guitar
solo on "Our Love Was" that had been recorded for the BBC.  The album had
reportedly been mixed by Kit Lambert while the Who were in the U.S. and
they didn’t hear the final mixes until shortly before its release.  It
reaches #13 in the New Musical Express charts.

On the 22nd, the Who are scheduled to perform at the Olympia in London as
part of the "Christmas On Earth Continued" festival, but they have to
cancel because of a finger injury Pete sustained the week before.

On the 30th, they perform at the Pier Pavilion in Hastings.

In a year end article in Rolling Stone, Jann Wenner provides a history of
The Who.

35 Years Ago This Month (1962)

The Detours play a number of Christmas dances in the London area.


                                     -Brian in Atlanta