Friday, January 12th, 1968

The Who play the Tottenham Royal in Tottenham.

"An all-action climax by Who by Roger Simpson"

The dynamic Who played the Tottenham Royal on Friday and from the teeny-boppers in the audience the early rock numbers were new and exciting. And for nearly everyone else were exiting too, for on stage, the Who give an all-round powerful act which for those unprepared can be a nerve-shattering experience.

Beginning their 50-minute spot with "Substitute" they crashed into "Pictures of Lily" but their full force was not felt until Cochrain's (sic) "Summertime Blues." Lead singer Roger Daltrey paced the stage whipping-up enthusiasm and treating his microphone as an incensed cowboy would his lass.

From their new album they tackled "Tattoo" and it featured lead guitarist Pete Townshend. With his arm making a full circle he attacked the strings producing the weird and violent sounds which have characterized his playing.

On one number Keith Moon, having mercilessly battered his nine-piece drum kit, took a hammer and crashed it down on to a cymbal.

It was an all-rock performance and few were surprised when they did "Shakin' all over."

It was in their closing number that the Who really went wild.

"My Generation" was the piece and towards the end of it, they suddenly stopped playing and began a might onslaught on their gear.

Daltrey repeatedly threw his microphone at Moon's drums while Moon kicked part of his drum-kit off the stage.

Townshend pushed the amplifiers to the ground and bounced his guitar on the called equipment.

But for all the violent actions and assaults on their equipment they were doing minor damage. Gone are the days when the Who totally smoked equipment running into thousands of pounds in value.

They no longer find it necessary to be so destructive (or can afford it) and their music is valuable as it stands.