Old School's Out to Show Young Rockers the Way

By Peter Carroll

It's been nearly two decades since they had a hit, their leader is supposedly deaf, and even diehard fans must have thought twice before shelling out for tickets for their latest comeback tour.

But if the stage was set for a painful, undignified trawl through past glories then no-one told The Who. For a band reputedly long past their sell-by date they were nothing short of a revelation last night in Birmingham.

Singer Roger Daltrey looked in amazing shape for 56 - and, perhaps more importantly, sounded as good as ever, hitting the blood-curdling scream at the end of Won't Get Fooled Again with ease.

John Entwistle, fuelled all night by the contents of a Thermos flask, again proved himself one of the most dextrous bass players in rock, while the drums were handled with aplomb by Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr.

It was, however, Pete Townshend's performance which really captured the fans' attention.

Whatever the extent of his hearing problems he can still sing in tune and is using this tour to showcase his lead, as well as rhythm, guitar skills.

There was no need for a second guitarist this time— unlike the last time the band played Birmingham.

Townshend, now 55, also seems to be revelling in his role as curmudgeonly elder statesman of rock. There were wry digs at upstarts like Oasis and Robbie Williams - and even George W Bush came in for flak for "stealing" Won't Get Fooled Again for his campaign song without asking him.

The two-hour set was rounded off with versions of The Kids Are Alright and their anthem of alienated youth My Generation - both with updated lyrics and extended guitar solos.

A wry smile crossed Daltrey's face as he sang the "Hope I Die Before I Get Old" line which has come to haunt the band - but, as Townshend said in introducing the number, he's never managed to better it since.

Mind you, who has?