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The Who In February



February 1994 (5 Years Ago)

The soundtracks to "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia" are released on CD in Britain and
a month later in the U.S.

Pete receives the Silver Clef Award at the Nordoff Robbins’ Music Therapy Silver
Clef Dinner & Auction at New York’s Roseland Ballroom.

On the 23rd and 24th, Pete, Roger and John all appear at Carnegie Hall in New
York City.  It is an all-star tribute to Pete’s music hosted by Roger in honor
of Roger’s approaching 50th birthday.  Despite all three being present, Pete
refuses to perform with the other two.  The second night is shown on
pay-per-view and later released as the CD and video "A Celebration: The Music of
Pete Townshend and The Who."

On the 25th, Roger and the Spin Doctors perform "Substitute" on "The Late Show
with David Letterman."

February 1984 (15 Years Ago)

On the 17th, Roger's first solo album for WEA Records, "Parting Should Be
Painless," is released in the U.K.  It does not make the charts.

On the 20th, the U.S.’s PBS broadcasts the BBC-TV production of The Comedy Of
Errors starring Roger.

February 1979 (20 Years Ago)

On the 6th, "Tommy" opens as a musical in London’s West End.  It is based on the
screenplay for the film version.  The actor playing Tommy is an obvious
Roger-clone.  It receives mediocre-to-bad reviews and closes after a short run.

On the 10th, the Fabulous Poodles’ LP "Mirror Stars" hits the U.S. charts where
it peaks at #61.  It is produced by and features bass playing by John.

On the 12th, it is reported that Pete will start his own record label called
Propeller Records and has signed 3 groups.

February 1974 (25 Years Ago)

On the 8th, The Who begin a tour of France in Lille.  They continue in Cambrai
(9th), Paris (10th), Poitiers (15th), Toulouse (16th), Nancy (22nd), and Lyons
(24th).  The final cut is made in the ever-shrinking live "Quadrophenia" with
the loss of the "I Am The Sea" opening.  The concert in Lyons is the last
attempt by The Who to play a substantial portion of "Quadrophenia" live until
Roger revives it in 1994.

In the middle of the French tour, Keith flies back to London for a one-off
concert on the 14th, playing drums for a band headed by Roy Harper at the
Rainbow Theatre.  Other band members are Jimmy Page, David Bedford and John
Bonham.  Part of this show is later released on the Roy Harper album "Tales From
The Archive Of Oblivion."

After the 24th, Pete goes back to work on the soundtrack to "Tommy" while Keith
works on the film "Stardust," reprising his role of drummer J.D. Clover in this
sequel to "That’ll Be The Day."

February 1969 (30 Years Ago)

The Who continue playing one-off dates around Britain as they continue to work
on their opera "Deaf, Dumb and Blind Boy."  Dates are Newcastle (1st), Redcar
(2nd), Central London Polytechnic (8th), Lancaster College (14th), Margate
(15th), and Birmingham University (21st).  A known supporting act (21st) is The
Idle Race and Honeybus.

On the 2nd, after Pete returns home from the Redcar concert, he learns of the
death of his avatar, Meher Baba.

On the 6th, Harvey Pekar in Down Beat magazine writes "The Who: an
appreciation."  He says The Who are now second only to The Beatles.

On the 7th, The Who record "Pinball Wizard" at Morgan Studios, London.

Hit Parader has the article: "’Our albums are junk’ says Who drummer Keith
Moon."

Pete approaches friend and fellow Baba disciple Mike McInnerney about designing
the album cover for the rock opera.

On the 23rd, The Who head a charity benefit at the Roundhouse in London.  Also
performing are Cat Stevens, Pete Brown’s Battered Ornaments, the Third Ear Band,
Occasional Word Ensemble and Feathers, a trio led by David Bowie.

February 1964 (35 Years Ago)

On the 1st, John sits down to watch "Thank Your Lucky Stars" and is shocked to
see on this national TV program a band called Johnny Devlin & the Detours. 
Shortly after this a meeting of the Shepherd’s Bush Detours is held at the
apartment of Pete and his classmate and friend Richard Barnes on Sunnyside
Road.  A number of wild new names are suggested.  Barnes remembers a compere who
regularly insults the band by introducing them as "The Detours…the who? the
who?"  and suggests they call the band The Who.  Pete, who had been pushing for
The Hair wants The Hair and The Who but by the next day The Detours have been
renamed The Who.

On the 13th, The Detours play what is probably their last date at the Oldfield
Hotel.  By the time they return on the 20th, they are billed as "The Who."

February 1959 (40 Years Ago)

On the 13th, Mose Allison records his version of Sonny Boy Williamson’s
"Eyesight To The Blind."  Pete will hear his recording four years later and it
will eventually find its way into "Tommy."

			-Brian in Atlanta