The Kids Are Alright in ’89

By Allan J. Bassler

Penn Contributing Writer

Despite the addition of a horn section, three back-up singers and Simon Phillips drumming instead of Kennie Jones, it was indisputably The Who on stage at Three Rivers Stadium Sunday.

The band got off to a rough start with Daltrey’s voice fading at places during “It’s a Boy,” from “Tommy.” The band also seemed unable to generate any real energy for the first few numbers, but perhaps that’s too much to expect from a set of songs from “Tommy,” which is indisputably one of The Who’s most overwrought and theatrical albums.

“Eminence Front,” the first song after the opening “Tommy” set, saw the band gaining momentum and energy. Townshend, who has permanent hearing damage from too many years of playing loud rock ’n’ roll, picked up an electric guitar and windmilled away, despite stating in pre-tour interviews that he would be playing acoustic guitar only. “Eminence” was marred only by the addition of the brass horn section, which detracted from the song’s sparse arrangement, the source of its power.

Townshend brought three back-up singers to the main stage for a few numbers from his solo efforts, including “Face the Face,” from “White City,” but most of the show was a straightforward review of The Who’s tried-and-true audience favorites. The tour could be billed “The Who’s Greatest Hits,” instead of “The Kids Are Alright 1989.”

The band ripped through all the classics, showing energy and some of the old flash. Daltrey never stopped swinging his microphone in wide arcs, and beat his tambourines with such vigor that one shattered into pieces. Townshend apparently forgot about hearing damage and stuck with the electric guitar for most numbers and jumped around the stage, windmilling whenever he got a chance. John Entwistle was his usual implacable self, moving around little, but his fingers flew across the frets of his bass.

The audience responded with roars, cheers and flaming lighters held high, letting The Who know that dead as they may be as a recording band, they’re still loved for their power chords and heartfelt lyrics of years past.

The performance was not without its problems, however. Stadiums are designed for sports events, not music performances. The Who played at a volume that created severe echoes, making some songs like “My Wife,” not a strong song to start with, a muddled mess of indistinguishable instruments. It was fortunate that the band didn’t speak much to the audience, because the echoes made speech very difficult to understand.

The echoes did enhance “Behind Blue Eyes” in its quieter parts, with the natural echo making the self-examining lyrics seem more poignant, but the echo effect worked against clarity in most of the numbers.

The horn section, probably Townshend’s idea (his solo albums reveal a fondness for brass), just didn’t fit in some songs. “You Better You Bet,” a mediocre number at best, seemed to lose its earthy, rumpled character with the horns tooting away, and that’s the song’s only strength.

However, “5:15” from 1973’s “Quadrophenia”, gained a new dimension with the brass section, adding an interesting punch. It also brought to mind the dearth of songs from “Quad.” “Love, Reign O’er Me” was the only other song performed from that excellent album.

The band closed with a rousing and well-executed “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” their usual closing number. The song built to an explosive climax of rampant guitar, flashing lights, and the lowering of two banners to either side of the stage reading “THE WHO” cut out of the red, white and blue of the British Union Jack.

If you went to Three Rivers last night looking for a band on the cutting edge of rock, you were probably disappointed. But most people there were looking for solid rock ’n’ roll from a legendary band whose influences are still heard. If you were there, that’s what you got, and probably no one felt cheated.

Who guitarist Pete Townshend (above) does one of his trademark leaps. Legendary bassist John Entwistle (top center) during the show’s opening number. Lead singer Roger Daltrey (bottom center) twirls his microphone. Daltrey and Townshend (far left) join together for a song from “Tommy” during the band’s 25th year reunion tour.

Page design and photos by Joe Wojcik