The Who In January

[Brian Cady <cadyb@home.com>]

The Who In January

January 1994 (5 Years Ago This Month)

On the 10th  Westwood One in the U.S.
broadcasts their show BBC Classic Tracks
featuring The Who’s songs for the B.B.C.

January 1989 (10 Years Ago This Month)

Pete finishes production of his album "The
Iron Man"

On the 18th, Pete inducts the Rolling Stones
into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame at New
York's Waldorf Astoria

January 1984 (15 Years Ago This Month)

On the 3rd, The London Sun reports Pete is
working on an album with his brother Simon.

Rolling Stone’s article on Pete’s
announcement of the end of The Who echoes the
famous New York Post headline message of
President Gerald Ford to New York City:
"Townshend to Who: drop dead"

January 1979 (20 Years Ago)

Former Small Faces drummer Kenney Jones
auditions to join The Who at Ramport Studios,
London.  A recording from this audition of
"5:15" is released in 1994 on the "30 Years
Of Maximum R’n’B" boxset.

On the 20th, Sounds magazine reports that The
Who will tour England with Kenney as Keith’s
permanent replacement.

On the 27th, in Melody Maker, Pete says he is
optimistic about The Who’s future. 
"Ironically, Keith’s passing was a positive
thing."  He also says Kenney was the only
possible replacement for Keith.

January 1974 (25 Years Ago)

According to George Tremlett, Pete begins
work on the soundtrack for "Tommy: The Movie"
on New Year’s Day.  Dave Marsh puts the
beginning in the middle of the previous
December.

On the 12th, an edited version of "The Real
Me" backed with "I'm One" is released in the
U.S.  It reaches #92 in Billboard, #82 in
Cash Box.

In Creem magazine, Dave Marsh reconsiders his
negative review of "Quadrophenia," but still
says the record is not a success.

January 1969 (30 Years Ago)

Pete helps form Thunderclap Newman around
Andy Newman, a piano player Pete had idolized
in art school, and his former chauffeur and
roommate Speedy Keen.

On the 17th, an article in Go magazine: "The
Who plan new tv pop opera" about plan to film
"Deaf, Dumb and Blind Boy" for TV.  The Who
probably play a show that night at the Great
Hall in Kings College but confirmation of
this date is lacking.

Rolling Stone carries the article: "Who
finishing rock opera" on status of "Deaf Dumb
and Blind Boy."

On the 19th, The Who performs at the Mothers
Club in Erdington, Birmingham.  On the 24th,
Roger is fined £11 at Luton for minor
motoring offenses before their show at the
Civic Hall in Wolverhampton  and on the 25th,
they play a belated "New Year’s Ball" at
Middlesex Borough Road College.

During this period Pete had been working on
his opera with the aim of going to visit the
avatar who inspired it, Meher Baba, as soon
as it was completed, especially as Baba had
recently written that he had completed his
work and would soon speak his first words in
over 43 years.  Unfortunately before either
of these events come to pass, Meher Baba
"drops his body" on the 31st.

January 1964 (35 Years Ago)

Known dates for The Detours are at the
Glenlyn Ballroom in Forest Hill on the 3rd,
again opening for The Rolling Stones,
returning to the Glenlyn Ballroom on the 24th
to open for The Hollies and at their old
hangout, the Oldfield Hotel, London on the
30th.

It is again time for some thank you’s. The
biggest ones this year go to Joe McMichael &
"Irish" Jack Lyons for their marvelous book
"The Who Concert File" which made every The
Who In (Month) I wrote before it obsolete. 
Get this book if you don’t already own it. 
An equally big thank you to Tony Fletcher for
"Dear Boy: The Life Of Keith Moon."  Tony put
a lot of legwork and research into this
definitive portrait of the greatest Keith
Moon-style drummer in the world.  At press
time it is only available in England but
track down a copy somehow.  It is
mesmerizing.  And then there is Richard
"Barney" Barnes who I got to meet in London
this last year.  He named the Who and, for my
money, wrote this best overall book on The
Who "The Who: Maximum R’n’B."  It should
still be in print.  Get all three and happy
reading!

				-Brian in Atlanta