Artist · EveryDisc catalogue

The Who

A British rock group formed in 1964. The original lineup consisted of Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon. The band gained massive success due to their unconventional live performances and is considered one of the most influential groups of the 60s and 70s, as well as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. The Who became famous in their homeland both for their innovative gimmick of smashing instruments on stage after a performance and for their Top 10 hit singles, starting with the 1965 hit single "I Can't Explain" and albums that reached the Top 5 (including My Generation). The first hit single to reach the Top 10 in the USA was "I Can See For Miles" in 1967. In 1969, the rock opera Tommy was released, becoming the first album to reach the Top 5 in the USA, followed by Live at Leeds (1970), Who's Next (1971), Quadrophenia (1973), and Who Are You (1978). In 1978, the band's drummer Keith Moon passed away; after his death, the band released two more studio albums: Face Dances (1981, Top 5) and It's Hard (1982, Top 10). Former The Small Faces drummer Kenney Jones was brought in to play the drums. In 1983, the band finally broke up. After this, they reunited several times for performances at special events: the Live Aid festival in 1985, reunion tours dedicated to the band's 25th anniversary, and performances of Quadrophenia in 1995 and 1996. In 2000, the band began discussing the idea of recording an album of new material, but these plans were delayed by the death of the band's bassist John Entwistle in 2002. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey continued performing under the name "The Who." In 2006, a new studio album titled Endless Wire was released, which reached the Top 10 in both the USA and the UK.