The Who Live In Portsmouth, UK
By
Jamie Enering,
Headbanger
Sunday, April 28, 2002 @ 11:50 PM
| The Who -- Warm Up Show At The
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Upon entering The Guild Hall, in Portsmouth, England I thought to myself “Why here? This place is small, and looks like the kind of hall where ‘60s dance TV shows were filmed.” Then I found out why. Parts of Tommy were filmed in this very place. So in more ways than one I was stepping into Rock and Roll history. While watching this legendary band perform their greatest classics, I let myself sink back. I tried to imagine what it must have been like to see The Who, back in the ‘60s, when Rock and Roll really took shape. What must it have been like for those whose first concert was in a time when making a pilgrimage to San Francisco to experience life was the thing to do? For a short moment I almost felt what my parents must have experienced when they were kids listening to Rock and Roll.
This show was one of two practice shows in Portsmouth. “We decided that we could either practice in a studio for hours a day, or we could practice live in front of you.”
Warming up for a small tour, The Who came out like a storm. Their performance was nothing short of spectacular. Filling a set with over thirty years worth of music, the band blessed the crowd with a well-rounded list of greats. We were also blessed with an amazing John Entwistle bass solo. No classic show would be complete without the “windmill” and the destruction of a guitar at the end of a set, and this show was no exception. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend by themselves were entertainment enough with their interaction with the crowd and the railing of each other… talking about their own sweat art on their shirts. There was even a hint of a new record in the makes. Completing the lineup was drummer Zak Starkey, son of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, who did an outstanding job, and seems to have brought life to these guys.
Looking at the crowd I saw three generations of Who fans. From the older original rocker, right down to the kids whose parents were cool enough to bring them to their first concert. What other rock band would make a better first show? After the music faded and the band walked of stage, I found myself thankful that I got a glimpse of one of the forefathers of Rock and Roll.
SETLIST:
I Can't Explain
Substitute
Anyway Anyhow Anywhere
Amazing Journey/Sparks
My Wife, Baba O'Riley
Drowned
Behind Blue Eyes
I'm Free
Pinball Wizard
You Better You Bet
Who Are You
5:15
Won't Get Fooled Again
ENCORE:
The Kids Are Alright
Summertime Blues
Baby Don't You Do It
My Generation
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