Drummer of The Who—Keith Moon.

BIG RECEPTION FOR THE WHO

Until last Friday night the word "who" was a pronoun — and the name of a top British group who have done very well in the charts over the past few months.

But at the Top Hat these four young men from Shepherds Bush proved that they are much more than just another group. I won't even try to put into cold print my impressions of the half hour or so of sound they produced—it just can't be done!

But I do remember amplifiers toppling like a ship on a rough sea, a lead guitarist who hits the guitar with the same arm movements as a fast bowler in cricket, a set of drums that literally were all over the place and a lead singer who spent as much time with his back to the crowd as he did facing them.

And through it all the way-out sound with amps turned up full volume—and the whole performance generated as much excitement as it is possible to get from just two guitars and a set of drums.

Quite honestly, I loved every minute of the show—and to live through it really was an Experience, with a big capital "E".

What made the whole thing even more impressive to my mind was talking to the four lads after they came off stage. Quiet, pleasant, well mannered —with , no big heads among them — they seemed genuinely pleased that their show had been well received. And there was none of the "couldn't care less" attitude I have seen from lesser stars.

BACKSTAGE

I wandered around backstage talking to them and listening as well.

"Yes, my fingers used to bleed a bit after I began playing the guitar like that—but they're toughened up now". That was Pete Townsend.

An out of breath drummer, Keith Moon, examined his battered drumsticks before they were eagerly grabbed by souvenir hunters.

Roger Daltry walked round and round—just like an athlete coming off the track after a tough race—to "unwind" after the build up of tension on stage.

John Entwistle, like the rest of them, signed autographs without fuss or complaint.

All the "way-out" superlatives have already been used elsewhere about the Who; I'd sum up by saying that this is a top class group who put on a top class professional show—they know what they are doing and where they are going.

One of the Who's controversial record release recently was called "Legal Matter"—and that leads me in very nicely to the band from Derry who played at the Tempo on Saturday night, the Barristers.

The coolest man in the hall? … Bass guitarist John Entwistle. E2005

Lead vocalist of "The Who" Roger Daltry photographed at the height of the group’s performance. E2003