The Who are one of the most important and influential rock bands of the 20th century. Formed in London in 1964, the band consisted of vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist and primary songwriter Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and the explosive drummer Keith Moon. They pioneered the concept of the rock opera with Tommy (1969) and Quadrophenia (1973), and their thunderous live performances -- complete with Townshend's trademark windmill guitar strumming and instrument destruction -- set the template for arena rock.
Their song "My Generation" became an anthem for rebellious youth, its stuttered vocals and defiant lyrics capturing the raw energy of the mid-1960s mod movement. Albums like Who's Next showcased their ability to combine raw power with studio innovation, including early use of synthesizers that would influence countless bands in the decades to come. The album's opening track, "Baba O'Riley," with its hypnotic synthesizer loop and soaring climax, remains one of the most exhilarating moments in rock music. Entwistle's thunderous bass playing and Moon's chaotic, technically brilliant drumming gave the band a rhythm section unlike any other in rock history.
Keith Moon's death in 1978 and John Entwistle's in 2002 were devastating losses that marked the end of distinct eras for the band. Yet The Who's legacy as one of rock's greatest live acts remains undisputed. Their performance at Woodstock in 1969 and the iconic Live at Leeds (1970) recording are regularly cited among the greatest concert moments ever captured. Townshend's ambitious songwriting, Daltrey's powerful vocal delivery, and the sheer volume of their performances influenced punk, power pop, and hard rock alike, securing The Who a permanent place in the pantheon of rock and roll.
Two very different figures: spiritual guru Meher Baba, whose philosophy Pete Townshend followed, and minimalist composer Terry Riley, whose repetitive synthesizer techniques directly inspired the song's famous synthesizer intro.
A Lincoln Continental — reportedly at a Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan. Moon's hotel room destruction was so legendary that he and the band were eventually banned from the entire Holiday Inn chain worldwide.
Around 5am — after other acts ran catastrophically over schedule. During their set, Pete Townshend famously shoved activist Abbie Hoffman off the stage when he grabbed the mic to make a speech mid-performance.
He swung his arm back for a big strum at a low-ceilinged venue in 1964, hit the ceiling, and accidentally broke his guitar. The audience loved the drama. He turned it into one of rock's most iconic stage moves.