The Who Triumphs Again

By Herb Ditzel III

Courier-News Staff Writer

PASSAIC — They never sounded better.

In a triumphant return to the United States on Tuesday night, The Who proved to the sell-out crowd of 3,500 at John Scher's Capitol Theater that despite a series of tragedies (Peter Townshend's reportedly deteriorating hearing and the death of drummer Keith Moon), they were still part of the supergroup elite.

Their 2½ hour-long, swiftly-paced set was a collection of everything that put the band from London where they are today.

The screaming crowd never stopped standing from the opening burst of "Substitute" to the last fleeting notes of "Roadrunner."

Roger Daltrey's voice was as powerful — perhaps even more so — than in the past — better even than on some studio albums. He screamed, wailed and belted out tunes as he twirled the microphone wire around like a lasso.

His vocals on "Baba O'Reilly" and the classic "Won't Get Fooled Again" drove the mixed audience into a frenzy.

Refreshing was the band's pensive rendition of "Behind Blue Eyes," featuring soothing harmonies from bassist John Entwistle and guitarist-vocalist Peter Townshend.

The early tunes "Can't Explain," "Magic Bus" and Entwistle's "Boris the Spider" were a pleasant surprise.

Drummer and newest member Kenney Jones fit well into the Who mold, pounding the skins feverishly, soloing now and then, and keeping up with the rapid pace.

Their version of "Who Are You," was enjoyable, especially during the acapella break featuring the three original members plus "Rabbit" Bundrick — who also provided keyboards. Other material from the latest album included "Trick of the Light," "The Music Must Change" and "Sister Disco."

And from their classic effort "Tommy," the group soared into "Pinball Wizard" and "See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me." The latter reached the pinnacle thanks to Daltrey's piercing high notes.

Townshend displayed his usual kinetic style, hopping, bopping, weaving and jamming until half the audience seemed exhausted by his antics. And that old windmill style of guitar-playing hasn't left the Who's leader and chief songwriter. His vocals are also top-notch.

Entwistle just stood back, played a powerful machine gun-like bass, treating it as a percussion instrument, and added vocals when needed.

A brass section was added to more easily translate "5:15," "Drowned," (which featured Townshend on lead vocals) and "Punk Meets the Godfather," from the rock opera "Quadrophenia."

And yes, the four did "My Generation," the anthem of every teenager from Brighton to Boston.

But perhaps it was the song from the album "Odds and Sods" that best summed up the evening — "Long Live Rock."

Long live The Who.