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The Who In April (A History)



The Who In April

5 Years Ago This Month (1993)

On the 22nd, "The Who's Tommy" opens on Broadway.  Pete, Roger and John
attend along with a great number of celebrities.  It is Roger and John’s
first view of "their" musical and Roger can barely hide his disgust.  His
feelings are not shared by the audiences or the reviewers.  Frank Rich in
the next day’s The New York Times gives the musical a rave review.  Pete
becomes the toast of Broadway.  And the toasting causes an old problem to
resurface: his addiction to alcohol returns with a vengeance.

While he is in New York, Pete sings backing vocals on The Ramones’ cover
of "Substitute" recorded for their album "Acid Eaters."

10 Years Ago This Month (1988)

"Tommy," "Quadrophenia," and "The Who's Greatest Hits" are released on CD
in the U.S.

15 Years Ago This Month (1983)

On the 9th, Pete's 1st album of demos, "Scoop," hits the U.S. charts.  In
the U.S., it peaks at #35 but in Britain it fails to chart.  The single
pulled from the album, "Bargain" backed with "Dirty Water," also fails to
chart.

20 Years Ago This Month (1978)

On the 1st, Melody Maker reports that Track Records has been liquidated.

During the month, The Who record alternate versions of "Guitar and Pen,"
"Who Are You," and "Love Is Coming Down," overdub their parts onto Pete’s
demo of "Music Must Change" and create the rough mix of "Choirboy," later
known as "Empty Glass" at Ramport Studio.  Pete also records his demo of
"No Road Romance" at his Goring Studio.

Pete's "Keep Me Turning" from the "Rough Mix" album and Roger’s "Leon"
backed with "The Prisoner" from his "One Of The Boys" album are released
in the U.S.  Both fail to chart.

The group Cyanide releases a cover of "I'm A Boy" as a single in Britain.

25 Years Ago This Month (1973)

On the 7th, Chris Charlesworth interviews Roger for Melody Maker.  Roger
denies the many rumours that The Who are breaking up.

On the 12th, Keith attends the premiere of "That'll Be The Day" in which
he has a small role,  It also features Pete's song "Long Live Rock."

On the 13th, Roger releases his 1st solo album "Daltrey".  Despite having
a hit single, it fails to chart in the U.K. but reaches #45 in the U.S.

Creem magazine reports that Keith injured himself while practicing a
"magic wand gimmick" for the band’s stage show

On the 21st, Melody Maker, in an assessment of Britain’s major rock
groups, gives The Who a cautious outlook on their future, saying they
"said everything with their third single."

On the 22nd, the programme "Roadies" featuring The Who and their
performance in Stockholm the previous year is shown on Swedish TV.

30 Years Ago This Month (1968)

On the 1st, Jim Hoagland reviews the previous night’s concert for the
Washington Post.  His review is distinctly intellectual but positive.

After having played the Fillmore North, Canada on the 3rd, the Who
proceed to a two-night stand at the Fillmore East on the 5th and 6th. 
Before they arrive, Martin Luther King is assassinated in Memphis.  Many
venues in New York close fearing riots but the Fillmore East remains
open.  For these shows, The Who begin to include "Fortune
Teller"/"Tattoo" in their act.  Both shows are recorded for a live album
intended for release that year, but the Who eventually judge them to be
less than what they were looking for.  For one thing, Roger, singing
backup vocals to John’s "Boris The Spider," sings the wrong lyrics!  Pete
also makes reference to the assassination, says that the Fillmore’s
previous incarnation as the Village Gate had been a "pisshole" and
bitches that he had been kicked out of three hotels that afternoon. 
Ultimately this recording (from the 6th) becomes one of the Who’s first
and most popular bootlegs having been released as "Fillmore East," "Live
At Fillmore East," "Jaguar" and "Shakin’ All Over." The supporting act
was Buddy Guy.  Onstage and off The Who are photographed by rock
photographer and future Mrs. McCartney Linda Eastman.

On the 7th, The Who return to Canada with a show in Toronto.  Opening for
them are The Troggs and the MC5.  The next day
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 they fly back to London.

After their return, The Who spend 10 days at Advision Studios working on
the "Who’s For Tennis" album.  Probable songs recorded are "Melancholia"
and "Fortune Teller."

On the 23rd, The Who have a return engagement as the Marquee Club in
London

On the 27th, they perform at The Golden Rose Festival in Montreaux,
Switzerland.  It is broadcast live on the BBC1 programme "Dee Time." 
Other acts: The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and Fairport Convention.

On the 29th, they play in Watford.


                                     -Brian in Atlanta

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