Who are The Who?
Quick answer
The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. The classic lineup was singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. They’re famous for “My Generation” and the rock opera Tommy.
Key facts
- Formed
- 1964, London
- Classic lineup
- Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, Keith Moon
- Famous albums
- Tommy (1969), Who’s Next (1971), Quadrophenia (1973)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Inducted 1990
The members
| Member | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Daltrey | Lead vocals | Known for his powerful voice and microphone-swinging |
| Pete Townshend | Guitar, main songwriter | Famous for his “windmill” strumming and guitar smashing |
| John Entwistle | Bass | Nicknamed “The Ox”; died in 2002 |
| Keith Moon | Drums | Wild, inventive drummer; died in 1978 |
After Moon’s death, Kenney Jones and later Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr’s son) played drums. Daltrey and Townshend have continued as the core of the band.
Key albums
- My Generation (1965): includes the title track, a mod-era anthem
- Tommy (1969): a rock opera about a “deaf, dumb and blind” boy who becomes a pinball champion; later a film (1975) and a Broadway musical
- Who’s Next (1971): “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
- Quadrophenia (1973): a rock opera about a young mod in 1960s London
Why they matter
- They helped invent the rock opera and the concept album.
- Their loud, theatrical live shows influenced punk and hard rock; their 1976 concert was listed as one of the loudest ever recorded.
- They played Woodstock (1969) and Live Aid (1985).
Don’t confuse them with the TV series Doctor Who. For another classic British rock song with a famous story, see Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen.
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