Linda Scott, centre, with her friend Sarah Smith meeting "The Who" at the Odeon Theatre last night, they are, left to right, Roger Daltrey, John Entwhistle and Peter Townshend.

The Who storm off

THE WHO's remaining two concerts in Newcastle will go ahead — despite walk-out by the top rock band last night.

They stormed off stage after nearly 90 minutes of their act, watched by more than 2,000 fans at the city's Odeon cinema.

Pete Townshend, the group's leader, overturned equipment and threw down his guitar after a row with sound engineers at the side of the stage.

After a dressing room showdown with their management, they returned to the stage following a 25-minute break whilst the

By PHILLIP CRAWLEY

audience whistled for their reappearance.

The night ended with Townshend smashing his guitar into an amplifier, and drummer Keith Moon, who had gesticulated angrily at the sound engineers, breaking up his kit.

Grappled

At one point Townshend strode over to the banks of controls beside the stage, and grappled with one of the engineers.

In full view of the audience, he then sent valuable electronic equipment scattering across the stage.

The safety curtain was lowered as the four

members of the group walked off.

Singer Roger Daltrey, who recently had a Top Ten hit with "I'm Free," said during the unscheduled shop: "We don't like playing at places where the audience just sit and watch.

"We like the kids to be up and moving, but they can't do that here. The sound was never right tonight."

Later a spokesman for the promoter said that there was no question of the group's remaining two concerts in Newcastle, due to take place tonight and tomorrow, being called off.

The Who are one of Britain's most successful rock bands. This is their first national tour for two years.