The Who in February (A History)

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

5 Years Ago This Month (1993)

The RIAA re-certifies a slew of Who albums based on their U.S. sales -
Greatest Hits (2 million), Hooligans (gold), Live At Leeds (2 million),
Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy (platinum), Quadrophenia (platinum), The Who By
Numbers (platinum), Tommy (2 million), Who Are You (2 million), Who’s
Better, Who’s Best (gold), and Who’s Next (3 million)

Pete completes the recording of "Psychoderelict."

Pete is honored for his rock opera "Tommy" by the Very Special Arts, a
foundation for the disabled, at Sardi’s Restaurant, New York.

Van Halen releases their live album "Live: Right Here Right Now"
featuring a cover of "Won't Get Fooled Again."

10 Years Ago This Month (1988)

On the 8th, The Who receive a British Phonographic Industry Lifetime
Achievement award and perform during a live TV broadcast from Royal
Albert Hall, London.  They are faded out in mid-song when the program
runs into the 9 O’Clock News.  It is Kenney Jones’ last performance with
The Who.

On the 20th, "My Generation" backed with "Substitute," a single from the
"Who’s Better, Who’s Best" album hits the charts in Britain.  It reaches
#68.

15 Years Ago This Month (1983)

On the 8th, Pete wins a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BRIT Awards at
Grosvenor House, London

On the 9th, the judge presiding over the Cincinnati case allows an appeal
over the earlier decision to rule out punitive damages.  He also asks the
lawyers if a settlement can’t be reached.

"It's Hard" backed with "Dangerous" is released in the U.S. only.  It
fails to chart.  It is the last single by the Who made up of new songs.

Pete completes demos for "Cat Scratch" and "Ask Yourself" for the new Who
album "Siege."  Ultimately the songs appear only on Pete’s solo album
"Another Scoop."

20 Years Ago This Month (1978)

The Warsaw Pakt releases an album in Britain with a cover of "It's Not
True."

Trouser Press prints part one of a lengthy interview with Pete in which
he says he never wants to tour again.  He also says he wants to show that
The Who can grow old gracefully

25 Years Ago This Month (1973)

On the 3rd, "Relay" enters the Dutch charts and peaks at #28.

On the 10th, an article appears in Melody Maker which describes Pete as
having writer’s block about finishing the Quadrophenia project.  Pete
says he does not think highly of "Who’s Next" and admits that the plots
in his musical stories are often weak.

On the 17th, The New Seekers cover of "Pinball Wizard/See Me, Feel Me"
hits the U.S. charts.  It peaks at #29 in the U.S. and #16 in Britain.

Roger plays his new solo album for Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp.  The
Who’s management express little enthusiasm for it and try to talk Roger
into delaying its release or forgetting about it entirely.  Roger is
incensed and takes his album and his personal management to Lambert/Stamp
employee Bill Curbishley.  This event, along with the previous year’s
investigation into the band’s finances, start the move toward Curbishley
taking over total management of the Who.

On the 28th, The Who are given a gold record for the orchestral version
of "Tommy."

30 Years Ago This Month (1968)

It is around this time that Pete’s personal spiritual quest leads him to
becoming a follower of the Indian Perfect Spiritual Master Meher Baba.

On the 2nd, "Mary Anne With The Shaky Hands" backed with "I Can’t Reach
You" is released in the Netherlands.  It fails to chart.

On the 10th, the Who resume dates around England, performing in
Colchester (10th), Crawley (11th), Sheffield (16th), and Manchester
(17th).  Supporting acts are the Shell Shock Show, the Yum Yum Band and
Exploding Orange (Colchester) and Jo-Jo Gunne (Sheffield).  Between gigs,
the Who return to London for additional recording.

On the 21st, the Who begin their latest U.S. tour in San Jose.  The
opening acts are Blue Cheer and Sagittarius.  The Who also lengthen their
set with extended versions of "Shakin’ All Over," "Relax" and "My
Generation."

On the 22nd, the Who return to the Fillmore in San Francisco with opening
acts Cannonball Adderly and the Vagrants featuring later Who-collaborator
Leslie West.  Due to ticket demand, the Who move to the larger Winterland
Auditorium for the 23rd and 24th.  Both the Winterland shows are recorded
for a possible live album.

On the 26th, the Who proceed to Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles where
they record Pete’s four-year old song "Call Me Lightning," and two songs
written for the American Cancer Society, "Little Billy" and "Do You Want
Kids, Kids."  Also while in Los Angeles, the Who shoot a color promo for
"Call Me Lightning" in which Pete, Roger and John pursue an electric
Keith.  It is directed by Peter Neal and shows up later in "The Kids Are
Alright" movie with "Cobwebs and Strange" superimposed.

Also during this stay, the Who record commercials for U.S. Army
recruiting.  This gets the Who into political hot water with rock fans
who oppose the U.S.’s military involvement in Vietnam.


                                     -Brian in Atlanta

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