Who Dun It!

But the golden oldies really got 'em going

Superb, incredible, amazing, out of this world and just fantastic were a few of the comments made by North Staffordshire rock fans on Sunday as they left Trentham Gardens Ballroom.

A capacity audience of nearly 3,000 witnessed what must have been one of the most exciting concerts seen in the area for some while (writes Chris Stone).

The Who opened their four city tour at Trentham and performed pieces from Pete Townshend’s new rock opera, "Quadrophenia," for the first time before a live audience.

The audience applauded each number from the new album, but at times it seemed through politeness and not through excitement.

Obviously it will take time for the new songs to become recognised as easily as "I'm A Boy" and "Summertime Blues," but when they do people will realise their true brilliance.

JOHN ISAACS, of 20, Haven Crescent, Werrington, said after the concert: "I was right at the very back standing behind people who were standing, but the atmosphere was great.

Winners!

"The lighting was good and the sound was unbelievable. But, I think that if more people had heard the Quadrophenia album before seeing the show they would have known what The Who was trying to get over.

"I thought the presentation was very good and the effort that went into the whole thing was fantastic … to go on for nearly 2 hours is really something."

However, it was the better known numbers, such as "My Generation," "Pinball Wizard" and "Magic Bus," which got the crowd going.

Throughout the new material the audience had sat and clapped and cheered, but it took only a few bars of "My Generation" to get them to their feet, dancing, screaming and leaping about.

People travelled to North Staffordshire from all over the country for the night—a night to remember.

TONY JOHNSON, from Banbury, near Oxford, told me: "This was something I just had to see. I must have spent over £15 today but it was all worth it.

Powerful

"Just look at them, Daltrey incredible, Townshend what a bloke. Moon — near frenzy and Entwhistle — masterful."

Tony certainly summed up the feeling of nearly everyone in the huge hall and a local girl, PAM DAVIES, of Blurton, could only mutter: "Fantastic."

From a battery of sound equipment The Who poured out unrelenting, powerhouse rock music which must have shook the foundations of Trentham Gardens Ballroom, and from the back of the auditorium came a barrage of dazzling coloured lights which put the finishing touches to a really superb concert.

All wrong

But MARRI RYAN, of Barlaston, the former model who was crippled in a road accident last year, was somewhat disappointed by the concert.

"It was the most disappointing Who concert I have ever been to. The acoustics were all wrong but it was the first gig, and as Townshend pointed out, things will have to be sorted out as the tour progresses.

"I felt that the best numbers were "Dancing in the Street" and "Magic Bus" — those golden oldies really got the people going."

And it was Townshend who promised that on their next tour they would again open in North Staffordshire.

Let us hope that it will not be too long before the next great occasion.

The man with the rhythm guitar is Pete Townshend.

Roger Daltrey in action — The Who’s lead singer.

It’s that man again — Roger Daltrey.

And once again — Pete Townshend!