The Who is alright

’60s icons can still whip up a frenzy

By VIT WAGNER

POP MUSIC CRITIC

Yes, they are still the Who. But why? Based on the last night’s appearance by the Who at the Air Canada Centre, the most compelling answer to that question is that even reduced to half of its original membership, the iconic ’60s outfit can still whip an audience of 13,000 Torontonians into a state of sustained adoration and frenzy.

That and the fact that guitarist Pete Townshend, at the not so tender age of 57 hasn’t lost any of his capacity for exclamatory punctuation. He might not smash guitars with youthful abandon any more, but his ability to drop one power chord after another remains undiminished.

If anything, thanks to improved amplification, it’s a fair bet that Townshend’s capacity for windmill-powered electrification has seldom produced greater voltage. After offering an early glimpse of his trademark propeller approach on the night’s opening number, “I Can’t Explain,” Townshend generated enough power to lend serious weight to “Bargain,” “Baba O’Riley,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and several other of the band’s harder-hitting favourites.

Sadly, singer Roger Daltrey couldn’t come close to matching Townshend’s wattage. Whether Daltrey’s voice is permanently shot — or

RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR ROGER DALTREY: The lead singer shows signs of wear and tear.

whether his vocal chords were showing signs of wear and tear at end of the tour — the 58-year-old singer strained unsuccessfully to reach notes that were once easily within his grasp.

Daltrey’s attempt to make up the deficit with showmanship had limited success. Mostly, he resorted to twirling the microphone through the air, an effect that seemed as likely to result in serious self-injury as triumph. Fortunately, no mishaps occurred.

It was remarkable enough that the band made it this far. The ACC show was the culminating gig in a emotionally fraught tour that started in July, four short days after the death of Who bassist John Entwistle. The absence was frequently marked by projections of Entwistle’s bearded visage on the screens that flanked the stage. Original drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978, also showed up in the slide show of images designed to remind the assembled of the band’s storied youth.

“We could not have done this without you,” said Daltrey to the audience. “Thanks for the support.”

It was not the first time that Toronto served as the final stop on a Who tour. The band played Maple Leaf Gardens in December, 1982, at the end of what was meant to be its first farewell tour.

“It’s taken such a long time to come back to this city,” Townshend said. “Tonight, in true tradition, this is the last show we’re doing on this tour.”

Townshend and Daltrey did not stint in their praise of Pino Palladino, charged with the unenviable task of filling in for Entwistle at the last moment. The audience also showed its appreciation for the efforts of Palladino, who was joined in the background by Townshend’s brother, Simon, on backing guitar and vocals, John Rabbit Bundrick on keys and Ringo Starr’s son, Zak Starkey, who was particularly effective on the kit.

With Townshend carrying the load, the sextet was able to suspend disbelief long enough to create the impression that the adults — on stage and in the audience — were alright.

I’m not sure, however, that it’s an experience that bears repeating.

RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR PETE TOWNSHEND: The 57-year-old guitarist can still hit power chords in classic songs like “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”