The Who is back with ‘Quadrophenia’ at the Garden

By Ray Weiss

Staff Writer

The kids are all right. Actually the kids are now middle-aged men. LSD is in their past. Geritol is in their future.

The Who really is approaching retirement age. But the band that has retired almost as often as former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is again making music.

Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend and John Entwistle, all older than 50, are back doing live performances of their hit 1973 rock opera, "Quadrophenia."

Shows are scheduled at Madison Square Garden tonight and Saturday through Monday. The Garden is the only scheduled stop for the band in North America.

"Quadrophenia," mostly written by Townshend, was the Who’s second rock opera, coming four years after their critically acclaimed smash "Tommy."

Among the hit songs in "Quadrophenia" were "The Real Me" and "Love, Reign O’er Me."

The Who has added some young blood for the concerts with drummer Zak Starkey, son of former Beatle Ringo Starr. The late Keith Moon originally handled the job.

Other musicians and singers will take part in the full-length "Quadrophenia" performances. Special guests, including Joan Osborne tonight and Gin Blossoms Saturday through Monday, will perform.

The Who became one of the most enduring bands from the middle '60s British Invasion. Songs like "My Generation," "I Can’t Explain" and "The Kids Are Alright" became anthems for rebellious youth.

The band gained even greater exposure with an electrifying performance at Woodstock in 1969. But mega-stardom didn’t arrive in the United States until the release of "Tommy" that same year.

The musical story of a "deaf, dumb and blind" boy who becomes a phenomenal pinball player landed the band critical acclaim and acceptance. The band even performed "Tommy" at opera houses in Europe and New York City.

"Quadrophenia" became another critical hit. A successful film of the same name later was made that centered on a member of the Mod culture named Jimmy, whose diverse character reflected those of the members of the Who.

The drug overdose of Moon in 1978 spun the band into a down period. Townshend, too, suffered some close calls with drugs.

Ironically, three years earlier the band questioned whether aging rock musicians like themselves could stay fresh and relevant in their album, "The Who by Numbers."

The Who disbanded in 1983 after a farewell tour. Townshend told a reporter they quit two albums too late.

The band reunited in 1985 for Live Aid, the concert for famine relief in Ethiopia. Four years later another reunion tour took place. A few other benefit concerts have followed over the years.

If you go … What: The Who’s rock opera "Quadrophenia." When: 8 p.m. tonight, Saturday through Monday. Where: Madison Square Garden, Seventh Avenue between 31st and 33rd streets, Manhattan. Admission: $30, $40, $65. Information: (1-212) 465-6741 or Ticketmaster at (1-212) 307-7171.

Pete Townshend, left, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle will perform tonight and Saturday through Monday in Manhattan.