Mr Mike hears a WhoVH1 Classic has been showing their Rock Honors of the Who with great performances by Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, even Incubus. All this Who-ness made me decide to put up two Who songs I like. One of earliest memories was at my Patty B lovin' cousin's room miming to "Pinball Wizard" along with my other cousins (it was the early 70's, it was what kids did before Rock Band). Then my cousin told me about how Tommy lost his sight by having a light bulb blow up in his face and I had a fear of that happening to me ever since. Ironically, I used to work at a thrift store and a customer wanted me to test some Christmas light on sale that looked like a red and white striped rod with a flame shaped light bulb. When I plugged it in, it blew up in front of me. Luckily, I wasn't blinded.
For the two songs I decided to go back to the old days, when all of the band members were alive and their music didn't instantly recall dead bodies and lab rats poking them with test tubes while wearing expensive sun glasses. The first is "Pinball Wizard" from Tommy , sure it's overplayed but I have fond memories of it. Second is "Substitute", I just think it's catchy. The Who-one of the most explosive bands in Rock history. Time to revel in Pete Townsend's awesome songwriting, Roger Daltry's bold vocals, John Entwhistle's artful bass playing and Keith Moon's rapid fire drums. In other words, time to smash some guitars and crash some drums-it's The Who!
The Who "Pinball Wizard"
The Who "Substitute"
5 comments:
I like some Who songs, but I really don't like Roger Daltry. His voice or his face. I have a hard time looking at him for some reason. Don't know why. Pete Townsend is a genius, even if he is a creep in his personal life, or alleged creep, or whatever. I don't even mind that thin, thready voice of his. :)
Hi Some Kinda Wonderful! I understand just liking some songs because I didn't become a fan of the Who until later in life. It wasn't that I didn't like them, they just didn't do anything for me. As people, they all seem a little shady-the most respectable acting one died of a drug overdose. But over time (with a little help from my wife) I've come to appreciate their music.
Didn't really get into the Who until after HS, but they have such classic riffs in rock and roll history from Baba O'Riley to Won't Get Fooled Again. Try out some later hits like Athena or You Better You Bet. I also really like the Townsend solo stuff like Slit Skirts, Let My Love.....(Steve Carell did a nice version in Dan in Real Life).and Rough Boys.
Ack, that Baba O'Riley tune drives me crazy! I can't stand it. Of course, that could be because it's about the only Who song the stupid classic rock station here in Augusta plays. That and the equally hideous "Magic Bus". Those songs are like torture devices to me.
Hi frontrow! I'll have to check out Pete Townsend solo, I only know Let My Love Open the Door and Rough Boys. I keep meaning to get that Empty Glass record, I'll have to get that one sometime!
Hi Some Kinda Wonderful! Sorry to hear about the station playing only two Who songs. It's funny you mention Magic Bus, I think the picture I used for the post came from some kind of advertisement tie in between the song and a VW van.
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