'The Who' Gives Civic Centre Its Rock 'n' Roll Baptism

By Sandy Gardiner

Last night the Civic Centre received its baptism in fire.

It played host to a rock 'n' roll show.

Since its opening the new Ottawa hockey arena has been the venue for the Liberal leadership convention and a few variety shows, all well-attended and well-behaved events.

But Tuesday night it was the turn for an invasion of the mod squad as local teenagers half-filled the auditorium to hear Britain's biggest fashion and musical trendsetters next to The Beatles.

They call themselves The Who and what they do on stage is as much visual as it is vocal and instrumental.

ORIGINAL MATERIAL

The quartet plays almost entirely original material. Sometimes it is happy. Mostly it is frenetic, uninhibited and colorful. And if it is not controlled, it can also be quite noisy.

Led by Pete Townshend, one of the leading guitarists in the UK. The Who topped a bill which included two other chart-topping acts – The Troggs from Britain and The Ohio Express from the U.S.

The task of local representation fell to The Five D., a group who faded into music's valhalla with a farewell performance. Today they are no more.

NUMBER ONE

The Ohio Express, fresh from a number one hit, "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy," has not been around long enough to be spectacular live.

When they first came on they mentioned that they had trouble getting into Canada. After hearing them, Ottawa now knows why. Suffice to say they were bad.

The Troggs, who have had several U.S. and Canadian hits, were almost fresh off the plane from England when they came to the Civic Centre.

As the first venue of their current North American tour, the group came on in good physical shape if nothing else.

However, the majority of the audience had come to see and hear The Who — and when they finally strode onto the stage, the audience excitement hit fever pitch.

But, for the most part, the teenagers controlled themselves — preferring to sit, listen and watch rather than follow the screaming rage of a couple of years back.

The Who, for their part, laid the music on thick. Their trademark was evident as they tortured their equipment to produce the sound around which their name and their songs had been built.

DUE REWARD

They entertained with stories in song; including an intriguing mini-opera, and received their due reward in applause.

As usual they ended their act with leader Pete Townshend tearing his guitar apart. All their equipment comes free from a U.S. manufacturer in return for advertising considerations. But what a way for a product endorsement.

HAVING A SMASHING TIME…

Lead guitarist Pete Townshend of British pop idols, The Who, smashes his guitar to the cheers of onlookers during the Civic Centre's first rock 'n' roll show. But in case you think the destruction was done in the heat of the moment—it was not. In fact The Who get paid to torture their musical instruments. At right Who lead singer Roger Daltrey dances while Pete does the damage.

(Journal Photo by Dominion Wide)