Raw, ragged tribute

The Who deliver an impassioned show in wake of bassist's death

REVIEW

Death is a paradox that inspires life even as it takes it. Wednesday in Mountain View, just six days after Who bassist and co-founder John Entwistle died in Las Vegas of an apparent heart attack, the band’s surviving members responded to his loss by defiantly spitting into the abyss — at high volume. And when they did, what was booked months ago as just another reunion concert by a classic cash cow became a raging testament to musical and emotional endurance.

The second show of the Who’s near-aborted U.S. tour saw none of the spoken eulogies that marked their opening night in Los Angeles, but it was a tribute nonetheless.

“What can I say that hasn’t already been said?” Roger Daltrey told the Shoreline Amphitheatre’s near-capacity crowd three songs into the set. “It’s one day at a time for us. It ain’t f— easy. Rock ’n’ roll isn’t easy.

Nor is life. It’s just best to get on with it.”

And they did get on with it, turning in an impassioned 2-hour and 15-minute performance that was alternately ragged, painful and breathtaking. The band suffered its share of missed cues and botched lines; with only days to rehearse, replacement bassist Pino Palladino still needed sheet music for backup; there were periodic sound problems. But sleek perfection is the trait of a well-oiled music machine, and Wednesday the Who were all frayed edges and exposed nerves.

Daltrey’s voice ran rough but hit the important notes, particularly on “Love Reign O’er Me” and a sweeping “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” With the show-opening trilogy of “I Can’t Explain,” “Substitute” and “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere,” guitarist Pete Townshend was a furious blur, loping and lunging across the stage, his arm windmilling out power chords. On old favorites like “Bargain,” he ripped and swooned