The Who Thrill KC

By Janet Elliott

Staff Writer

I am not a rock music critic. I do not have a head full of trivia about various bands nor am I able to provide great insights into concert performances.

But I do know that the concert given by The Who last Saturday at Kansas City's Kemper Arena was a classic.

It was not only the excellent music, ranging from "Magic Bus" to "Pinball Wizard" to "Who Are You."

And it was not just the mind-blowing light show or singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend's well-planned stage theatrics.

It was all those combined, plus an incredible aura of excitement and energy coming from both the band and the audience.

The audience was fueled by the knowledge of seeing one of the few remaining Great Rock Bands. Plus, admit it or not, there was the sense of potential disaster coming from having the band that Cincinnati fans rioted over play in the arena whose roof caved in.

But security was tight, beer was not flowing and the fans were less pushy than at many previous concerts. The only ill effect was a ringing in the ears for several hours after the show.

Without binoculars, I was not able to check for lines on the faces of the band members, now in their mid-30s. But punk rockers jumping in place while singing and playing have nothing on The Who's leaps and yells.

And, I believe Townshend when he says he wants to play rock music as long as Picasso painted. (A side note: Daltrey did sport a new punk haircut.)

The Who played for almost two hours, a departure from many rock stars who seem to begrudge their fans an hour's performance. And the group interspersed their early hits and "Tommy" material with songs off their most recent album.

Oh yes, not being one for names, my Horizons editor had to inform me that other band members are bass player John Entwistle and drummer Kenny Jones (who replaced Keith Moon, who I had heard of.)