Who historic concert excites Arena

By Jill Warren

Despite the fine line-up of bands that has been through town this year, The Who put on a concert in Market Square Arena Wednesday night that was, without reservation, the best concert of the year — perhaps of the past few years.

Never has this reviewer seen the arena so alive with excitement that it actually burst out with cheers for the band before it even took the stage, directing them at the empty platform whenever it thought the group was about to emerge from backstage. With its fabulous lighting, top-notch sound and tremendous charisma — not to mention years’ and years’ worth of classic hits — The Who is one of the few bands that justly deserves the title “legendary.”

One could not help but be swept along with this sort of excitement. After all, this is the band’s final tour. After touring since 1964, with the only change being the substitution of drummer Kenney Jones for the late Keith Moon, The Who has decided to stop touring but keep on producing records.

THAT REASON ALONE made the concert something of an historic event, but it was really more than that. You had the feeling that this show, as exceptional as it was, was what The Who always gives: it’s utmost. It was a sort of concert by which others should be judged.

Opening with “Substitute,” The Who — Roger Daltrey, lead vocals; Pete Townshend, guitar; John Entwistle, bass, and Jones drums — were dynamic. Daltrey spun his mike ‘round in circles, catching it just at the right moment (usually) in his characteristic style. Entwistle remained, for the most part, quietly in the background, and Townshend sizzled on guitar and danced about the stage in light, looping steps.

And while it’s up to debate whether Jones is as flashy as the late Keith Moon, he can certainly hold his own with these rock ’n’ roll heavyweights ensconsed behind his impressive drum set.

In concert Pete Townshend Star photos by D. Todd Moore

The Who satisfied its audience by pulling out tunes from its early days as well as playing nearly everything from its current release, “It’s Hard.” While it would take more space than allowed to list and describe each tune, know that each was delivered with increasing power and heart, and that as time went by the feeling of watching a slice of history grew even stronger.

“BABA O’RIELY,” the classic from “Who’s Next,” seemed to be the tune that got everybody loose, both on stage and in the audience. Townshend sent a tambourine sailing into the crowd and Daltrey snapped his harmonica into the hands of a stunned fan, a trick he did again later in the show.

“Well, I want to tell ya, that was better that yesterday,” laughed Townshend after The Who played its current single, “Athena,” which had been debuted on stage only the previous night.

From “Tommy,” The Who selected “Pinball Wizard” and “I Can See For Miles,” the first smoothly easing into the second. During “I Can See For Miles” four roving four-light spot lights placed at the four “corners” of the arena burst on, showering the fans in bright light and revealing them, all 15,000 of them, standing and clapping in unison.

THE WHO CLOSED its set after nearly two hours with a solid string of hits including “Rain on Me,” “Long Live Rock” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

After a lengthy and well-deserved ovation, The Who was finally encouraged to return for an encore and ended the concert with “Naked Eye” and ‘Summertime Blues.” It was, quite simply, an excellent performance from the premiere rock ‘n’ roll band.

David Johansen, poor guy, opened the evening with a terrific 35-minute set that was all but forgotten by the time The Who left the stage. It’s not an easy task to open for The Who but Johnansen, with his straight-from-the-gut rock appeal and Tim Curry-like vocals, gave it his best.

He offered quite a few cover tunes, unusual for most artists, but a natural thing for Johansen, who can make even the most familiar tune sound like it’s his own. Perhaps best of the evening was the single from his new LP, “Live it Up,” the medley of Animals hits, “We Get Out of This Place/Don’t Bring Me Down/It’s My Life.”

Roger Daltrey