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Roeper review

I didn't see this posted here. It's by Richard Roeper from the Ebert and Roeper movie reviews.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/roeper/cst-nws-roep25.html 

September 25, 2002

BY RICHARD ROEPER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST 

Four columns for the price of one: So I'm watching a remarkably fit Pete Townshend windmilling on the guitar and a strong-voiced Roger Daltrey twirling his microphone as if he's back at Woodstock as they perform a blistering set at the House of Blues on Monday night, and I'm thinking: These guys are supposed to put the Who to bed forever?

All due respect to the memories of Keith Moon and John Entwistle and their priceless contributions as musicians and personalities to the Who's legacy, but just as Lennon and McCartney defined the Beatles, and Jagger and Richards personify the Rolling Stones, Townshend and Daltrey are the heart and voice of the Who--and in their benefit concert for the controversy-plagued Maryville Academy at the House of Blues, the boys put on an amazing, energetic show that included such classics as "Can't Explain," "The Kids are Alright," "Who Are You," "My Generation," "Pinball Wizard" and "Amazing Journey/Sparks."

To quote a review from many years ago, it was Who Heaven.

When Entwistle died last June, a strident contingent of diehard fans and, of course, many rock critics were deeply offended that the band was going to continue to perform under the banner of the Who. If they want to call themselves something like the Daltrey/Townshend Experience and cover their hits, fine--but how dare they call themselves the Who without Moon and Entwistle?

Yet, as I watched Townshend and Daltrey work their magic on the crowd as
they stomped through classics such as "Baba O'Reilly" Monday night, the
notion that they should stop playing the music they created or retire the name by which they've been known for more than three decades was beyond ludicrous.

                    *****

                    
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