When The Who played their first gig for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity in the year 2000, one could be forgiven for thinking the three surviving members, then in their mid-50s, were old and at the end of their careers. However, now down to just Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey (bassist John Entwistle having died in 2002), the band have spent the last quarter of a century making a mockery of the idea.
The Who were here at The Royal Albert Hall in March of last year, but in that time much has changed. Firstly, gone is the orchestra that had featured heavily throughout their 2024 shows. This leaves the band consisting of Daltrey on lead vocals and occasional guitar, Townshend on guitar and vocals, Pete’s younger brother Simon Townshend on guitars and backing vocals, Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr) on drums – a role he has served since 1996, Loren Gold on keyboards and vocals, Jon Button on bass and John Hogg on backing vocals.
Secondly, the set has been overhauled, dropping much of the band’s 1969 rock opera “Tommy” for a selection of mainly hits with a couple of surprises. They start the proceedings with their usual opener, and debut single “I Can’t Explain”. These days Townshend has eased off on his windmilling, but it’s not long before we find him unleashing the stage move in ferocious fashion, so much so that the white pickguard of his guitar is soon stained with blood. This isn’t the only physical battle the 79-year-old guitarist and principal songwriter must deal with.
At one point before taking a seat to play “Behind Blue Eyes” he jokes about being in agony from a recent knee replacement (all those jumps and knee-slides taking their toll), Roger asking “Is it something I said?”. Pete responds “I don’t think anything you’ve ever said has caused me agony… a few things you’ve maybe done” perhaps referencing the time in 1973, where Daltrey knocked Townshend out during an argument.
Pete explains he’s not really in pain and actually in good shape but needs a bit of a rest now and then. On the other hand, Daltrey who is now 81, has been through his fair share of health issues through the years, but vocally defies age, managing some incredibly tough material including the rarely played “Love Ain’t For Keeping” with ease. A touch tricker though, is the sound mix, as Roger halts “The Real Me”, as he and Pete are struggling to hear the electric drum kit of Zak Starkey. They start the song again and just about get through it with Daltrey still struggling, at the end explaining “I can sing to something, but not that shit!”
The Quadrophenia section of the set continues with “5.15”, the Townshend lead vocal track, “I’m One”, and a spellbinding “Love Reign O’er Me” that elicits a standing ovation from the crowd which seems never ending. Of course, the band throw in the hits you would expect, from early songs such as “Substitute”, “The Kids are Alright” and “My Generation”, to the big hitting rock anthems “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, and even the post Keith Moon hit “You Better You Bet”. This is no doubt a very different band from even 25 years ago, but it would be unrealistic to not expect this.
The two remaining members are lucky to still be here when so many of their contemporaries have gone to the great gig in the sky, never mind, playing shows of nearly two hours. As for the backing band, the gem is Pete’s brother, Simon, who is musically like water, filling space where needed, providing backing vocals and guitar, whether it be electric lead guitar when Pete wants to play acoustic rhythm, or the famous acoustic rhythm of “Pinball Wizard” when Pete wants to power-chord on his Stratocaster.
Zak Starkey has been with the band twice as long as Keith Moon was and fits the band like an old pair of shoes, though the electric kit does result in his place in the mix feeling strangely detached. Loren Gold does a great job of playing the important bits without drowning out the guitars where he is less needed, and Jon Button recalls enough of John Entwistle’s parts, but is regrettably too low in the mix.
The Who might have lost a lot of their customary energy and there are plenty of sound problems and missed cues (as Roger would say, “a senior moment”) during the night, but this is live music, and the truth is they were never the most perfect band.
Part of the charm was the feeling they were a train that could derail at any minute and tonight there were plenty of moments where that happens. But the staying power here is the quality of the songs, and the commitment from not only Townshend and Daltrey, but the entire band. No matter what happens, they carry on, something that is endearing, and the appreciation by the audience is evident.
Townshend who has often spoken of his disinterest at playing live, towards the end tells the crowd “Many of you know this was not my chosen career, I would have preferred to be a dustman to be honest, but it’s glorious to be here with people like you tonight”, and you can tell he truly means it. Well, the last part at least! The highlight for me is the show closer, “The Song Is Over”, from their 1971 Album “Who’s Next”.
This is the very first time the band has performed it live, Townshend commenting that the news of them sound-checking it had got out (I won’t reveal who the mole is, but it’s not especially hush hush). As with “The Real Me”, Roger stops the song as this time the keyboards are not coming through, making it difficult to keep track of the numerous key changes, Roger insisting “I can sing in any key you want, but I need to hear what one you’re in!”
Thankfully they band start it again although Daltrey thinks twice about it, noting that people have trains to get. Somehow, I feel a lot of us would gladly get the night bus to hear the first ever rendition of this. It’s a fitting end to the night, but a touch poignant. Is the song over for The Who?
They have more shows lined up in Italy in the summer, but some will feel that this might be the last time we see them in their home country. Only time will tell, but if this is the way they say goodbye I for one will be happy. The band have given literal blood tears and sweat during their career and have given so much back to their audience, this gig at the Royal Albert Hall would be a flawed but fond farewell to The Who.
PHOTO CREDIT – SHAVORNE WILBRAHAM
WORDS BY DANTE DICARLO
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