MUSIC REVIEW

40,000 Pay Homage to Legendary Band

The Who Plays for 3 Hours at Rich Stadium Appearance

By Barbara Isaacs

Democrat and Chronicle

ORCHARD PARK — A majority of the people screaming like crazy at The Who’s Rich Stadium concert last night weren’t even born when the legendary rock band formed 25 years ago.

But the group’s messages of rebellion of a generation ago still hold up today. That, more than anything, explains why 40,000 people — most under 30 — turned up at Rich to pay homage to Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle.

Called the Kids Are Alright tour, The Who, now fortysomething, showed they still know how to rock ’n’ roll. Not only do they still rock ’n’ roll, but they can show many younger bands a thing or two.

The Who brought no warmup band with them on this tour, and they easily filled three hours with great music. They played all the good stuff: I Can’t Explain, Substitute, I Can See for Miles, Who Are You, Magic Bus, My Generation, and at least 25 other pieces.

Their trademark style is still intact, and that’s what the kids came to hear.

The show started off with selections from the rock opera Tommy. Highlights were Pinball Wizard and See Me, Feel Me. During Pinball Wizard, a giant metallic beach ball was bounced enthusiastically by the crowd.

Other highlights of the first set included Eminence Front and the last tune of the set, Who Are You? Townshend did great guitar work, with plenty of his trade-

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Mike Groll

Roger Daltrey is the tambourine man during The Who’s first set last night at Rich Stadium.

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