Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

We all love Pete, Roger, John and Keith (along with Kenney, Pino and Zak), they've had their highlights, and they've had their downfalls. Care to share your opinions on the Ups and Downs of The Who?

Here's what I feel are their highlights...

Albums:
Who's Next
Quadrophenia
Tommy
My Generation
A Quick One

Songs:
Won't Get Fooled Again
My Generation
Baba O'Riley
Who Are You
I Can't Explain
Behind Blue Eyes
5:15
Love, Reign O'er Me
I Can See for Miles
Pinball Wizard
A Quick One, While He's Away
Heaven and Hell

And The Downfalls...

Albums:
It's Hard

Songs:
Fiddle About
Cousin Kevin
Did You Steal My Money (despite the fact I think "Faces Dances" is OK, this song doesn't swing with me)
Dangerous
It's Hard

They made a complete turnaround with "Endless Wire" showing Pete and Roger are still rocking out, but they weren't and still aren't the same without Keith, and sure as hell not as great without John

Your thoughts? Let's hear 'em!

Squeeze Box. Dreadful.

I think Don't Let Go The Coat is one of the weakest songs ever written. It makes me long for the days of SpiceGirls and Boys2Men.

The film version of Tommy was the worst; our old drummer said, "Pete Townsend should be shot for this" after viewing the spectacle.

Live At Leeds was a great Who album.

beatlefreak wrote:Live At Leeds was a great Who album.

+1 my favourite is Quadrophenia Lets have some then.My basis on this being my favourite LP from the who is purely on musical talent.A diverse truly astounding LP that still to this day sounds fresh as the day it was released.A body of work that reflects genius quality and lasting vitality.

shamustwin wrote:Squeeze Box. Dreadful.

Absolutely agree Jerry. I cringe whenever I hear it...

On the plus side, Substitute and The Kids are Alright are brilliant, but not on your list Jake!

I do agree with "Substitute" and "Kids Are Alright", Evan, dunno why I left them off.

"Squeeze Box", I think, was The Who trying to break out of their Rock Opera phase, and trying to get back into what life was before "Tommy". I like the song, but we could have done without the Banjo solo. An accordion solo would have worked nicer.

As the Who goes, I'm a huge fan of their material in the mid and late '60's. The era of My Generation, Happy Jack, and The Who Sell Out is among my favorite for any band. I'd rather listen to Sell Out as a concept album anyday over Sgt. Pepper.

beatlefreak wrote:Live At Leeds was a great Who album.

Without a doubt. The Isle of Wight CD, if you have it, is just as good!

Although I did buy the '45' of Pinball Wizard when it came out, I was never fond of Tommy as a whole...kind of an overblown and silly idea, the 'rock opera'. It did serve, no doubt, as the inspiration for Spinal Tap's David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls waxing nostalgic for their abandoned plan to produce one based on the life of 'Jack-The-Ripper':

"You're a naughty one, Saucy Jack
You're a haughty one, Saucy Jack..."

scotty wrote:

beatlefreak wrote:Live At Leeds was a great Who album.

+1 my favourite is Quadrophenia Lets have some then.My basis on this being my favourite LP from the who is purely on musical talent.A diverse truly astounding LP that still to this day sounds fresh as the day it was released.A body of work that reflects genius quality and lasting vitality.

Gotta love Quadrophenia!

As I've stated before, it's a tie between "Quadrophenia", "Who's Next" and "Tommy" as the best Who albums.

My favorite stuff is still their early singles, plus just about everything from Who's Next. Absolute favorite of all time is "Substitute."

Live At Leeds is amazing too, as is Quadrophenia.

Face Dances and It's Hard had their moments, but generally, were pretty dire. I love "Cry If You Want."