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Pepsi Center review from Denver Post



The Who's act has not gotten old
By Percy Ednalino
Special to The Denver Post

August 25, 2000 - It was almost hard to tell if the original members of The
Who appearing at the Pepsi Center on Thursday night were the 20-somethings
who first appeared on the rock scene in 1965 or the 50-somethings of today.

The group, in the middle of a 20-date summer tour through the U.S., played
mostly well-known hits but also threw in a few lesser-known tunes from their
"Quadrophenia" rock opera and their BBC sessions.

The Who has reason to feel young again after all these years. The band is
set to release a new live CD, "The Blues to the Bush," with songs selected
from concerts in Chicago and London last fall.

And the three original members - vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitar player Pete
Townshend and bassist John Entwistle - appeared to be in great physical
shape.

Townshend, arguably one of rock and roll's all-time great guitar players,
assaulted his instrument as if he were a prize fighter trying to knock out
his opponent. From the opening song, "I Can't Explain," to the final few
numbers, Townshend remained animated and strummed with the windmill motion
he's been known for throughout the years.

Townshend wasn't the only animated member onstage. Daltrey's voice boomed
through such hits as "Substitute," "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" and "You
Better You Bet." And during "Baba O'Riley," Daltrey got the crowd to ooh and
ahh by simply standing on the edge of the stage with his right arm held over
his head and his blue shirt unbuttoned to show off his still-sculpted
physique.

Even Entwistle, known as the quiet member of the group, got in a few good
quips about his ex-wives and Denver's altitude - "How do you people manage
to breathe in this ... city?" he asked.

Time has been kind to The Who. The group's chemistry ran along the lines of
old friends who couldn't wait to play together again, with Townshend,
Daltrey and Entwistle exchanging hugs onstage.

Even the two newer members, drummer Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr's son) and
keyboard player John Bundrick, seemed right at home onstage.

Througout the show, Townshend had bugged his bandmates to let him play
Johnny Cash tunes. His wish was granted at the start of the encore when
Daltrey played an acoustic version of "Ring of Fire" before winding down
four songs later with "My Generation."

By Percy Ednalino
Copyright 2000 The Denver Post. All rights reserved.

        -Brian in Atlanta
         The Who This Month!
        http://members.home.net/cadyb/who.htm