Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'd comment, but I lost my brain on the train.

Every band deserves time to hack around. There are plenty of outtakes from Let It Be where the Beatles are doing the same thing.

I give Keith bonus points for trying, even if he stank. Most drummers wouldn't dare take the mic.

I'm going to shout now.

THEY WERE CLOWNING AROUND!!! IT'S MEANT TO BE FUNNY!!!

I can't believe there's serious discussion going on about this.

I'm with you 100%, Kenny!

The Who? Clown around? Heh-heh.

They did it better, earlier, with Keith singin', too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6LvSN0xhP0

Cool vid! Never saw that one before.

Don't forget, that the Who also performed "Twist and Shout" in a Beatles style during some of their tours, post-Moon. And like others said, it's just goofing off. Personally, I like to see a band that's known for taking itself as seriously as the Who take time to relax and just play around. That's probably why my taste in their stuff lies back with the A Quick One album. It's just more fun. Plus if you watch "The Kids are Alright", there is clearly a sense that when Moon was around and it wasn't time for a concert that he would be inspiring some fun.

I think that The Beach Boys had a BIG influence on Pete Townsend - check out The Who's "Bucket T". I absolutely hated it when it came out, I did think that it was a parody. Now I think Townshend really wanted The Who to come off as good as the Beach Boys.

Also note The Beatles covering The Who's "A Quick One" - actually a not so quick one - a long jam during the "Let It Be" sessions. "We'll soon be home, we'll soon be home..." turning into feedback and general mayhem.

I guess what goes around does come around.

Actually it was Keith Moon who was obsessed with the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean. He was the reason that they did "Bucket T" in '66 and then "Barbara Ann" for "The Kids are Alright". There are stories about Moon being really into the surf and sun music of Southern California and how he'd ride around in his car listening to the songs over and over. Townshend was something like an indulgent big brother for Moon throughout their career together. Moon was the perfect foil it would seem for Townshend's overly serious persona. They raised a lot of hell together along with Entwistle, Daltry keeping to himself for much of their antics. Sorry for the divergence from the Beatles, this was just a point of interest.

I see your point, however, I still hear a lot of Brian Wilsons' influence - Pet Sounds especially - in Townsends' writing and arranging on The Who Sell Out in particular.
"I Can't Reach You", "Our Love Was" , "Sunrise", "Relax" and "Tattoo" are dripping with Beach Boys.
"Rael" could have fit onto Pet Sounds quite nicely, IMHO. Seems like an awful lot of creative energy just to keep Keith happy.

That's true. I was referring of course to the covers that the Who performed. I agree that there is a definite Brian Wilson bent on a lot of the less whimsical and more introspective songs on "Sell Out". Some of the harmonies also seem Beach Boys-inspired.

Just for fun, listen to the drums on the Beach Boys' "Hushabye" (the studio recording, that is), then listen to "I Can See for Miles."

RIght, Matthew, Keith was a Beach Boys freak. His first band was a surf band. That said, it's rather amazing his style evolved as it did