To this point, Richie had enjoyed nine consecutive Top 10 hits to begin his solo career. In 1984, Lionel performed "All Night Long" at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Richie released the song "Say You, Say Me" from the movie White Nights. Another triple #1, it went to #1 for four weeks on the Popular chart, sold over one million copies and won an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song from a Motion Picture.
That gave Lionel eight #1 songs which he wrote entirely by himself, a Rock Era record until Diane Warren tied him. Richie was also nominated at the Academy Awards for a song he co-wrote for the movie The Color Purple, "Miss Celie's Blues". He teamed with Michael Jackson to write "We Are The World" for USA for Africa with proceeds to benefit victims of famine in South Africa. "We Are The World" won Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
In 1986, Richie released the album Dancing on the Ceiling. The title song, the follow-up single to "Say You Say Me", soared to #2 in both the U.S. and Australia. Richie spent over $400,000 on the video, which literally has people dancing on the ceiling. The landmark video used the rotating room effect introduced in the 1951 movie Royal Wedding.
The album has gone over four million in sales in the United States alone. Richie collaborated with Weil again as well as Greg Phillinganes to co-write "Love Will Conquer All". The song, with Marva King on backing vocals, topped the AC chart and peaked at #9 overall.
"Ballerina Girl" also hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart (his 11th) and reached #7 overall.
Richie earned American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Video Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Video (for "Dancing On The Ceiling").
It was quite a start to Lionel's solo career--13 straight Top 10's to set a record for Top 10 Hits "Out of the Gate"* and a sensational 11 of those 13 going to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. "Se La" broke that consecutive Top 10 streak on the Popular chart, although it did reach #5 AC.
In 1992, Richie released the compilation album Back to Front, a Platinum album. The new song "Do It To Me" reached #3 Adult Contemporary. Since then, Lionel has sharply reduced his output of studio recordings and live shows, and, as fast as his solo start was, he has never been able to reach the Top 10 since. In 1996, he released the album Louder Than Words, which has been certified Gold. Another compilation, Truly: The Love Songs, went Gold in 1997.
In 1998, Lionel released the album Time followed by the 2000 album Renaissance. The latter yielded "Angel", a nominee for Best Dance Recording at the Grammy Awards.
In 2003, the compilation album The Definitive Collection went Platinum. Richie released the album Just for You in 2004, followed by Coming Home in 2006. Richie was nominated for Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album (for Coming Home) and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "I Call It Love". In 2008, Richie became the 21st recipient of the George and Ira Gershwin Lifetime Achievement Award. The following year, Lionel released the album Just Go.
In 2012, Richie released the album Tuskegee, performing duets of his hits with some of Country's biggest stars, including Kenny Rogers, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, Willie Nelson, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean and Blake Shelton. The album went to #1 and was nominated for Favorite Country Album at both the American Music Awards and the Billboard Music Awards. Astonishingly, it was Richie's first Billboard nomination. Tuskegee has gone over one million in sales. Richie embarked on his first tour of North America in over a decade in 2013. In 2015, Lionel performed before over 100,000 fans at the Glastonbury Festival in England. Richie has 20 career hits with his first 13 reaching the Top 10 and five going to #1. He has achieved 28 hits on the AC chart with amazing success--23 Top 10's and 11 #1's.
According to the newspaper The Daily Herald of Utah, Richie's career album sales have gone over 100 million worldwide. Lionel has won nine American Music Awards from 17 nominations, two Grammy Awards from 11 nominations, one Golden Globe Award out of two nominations and one Academy Award from three nominations and was nominated for a Billboard Music Award and an MTV Video Music Award.
"All his songs are wonderful." "He sings from the heart and soul." "He has recorded some of the most beautiful songs in history." "Lionel Richie is no mere mortal." "He is phenomenal." "A true music legend." "Lionel Richie is awesome." "One of the smoothest voices in history." "I love his music!" "Lionel is a great songwriter." "He sings so beautifully." "His voice is a gift from God and his music soothes the soul...how beautiful is this man." "What a voice. Lionel Richie is definitely one of my favs." "He's one of the greatest." "He had so many hits and lyrics that grab the soul."
Lionel Richie, Jr. was born in Tuskegee, Alabama. He graduated from Joliet Township High School and received a tennis scholarship to attent Tuskegee Institute. While on college, Richie formed several groups before co-founding the Commodores. The group started out as an opening act for the Jackson 5, but soon became superstars with songs such as "Easy", "Three Times A Lady", "Sail On" and "Still".
Lionel began collaborating with other artists, writing the #1 classic "Lady" for Kenny Rogers in 1980 and producing Rogers' album Share Your Love in 1981. Richie recorded the song "Endless Love" with Diana Ross for the movie of the same name. The superstar release achieved a rare triple #1--#1 Adult Contemporary, #1 Popular and #1 R&B, and also went to #1 in Australia and #7 in the U.K. With nine weeks at #1 in the U.S., it is among The Top 50 Songs of the Rock Era*. "Endless Love" sold over two million copies in the United States. Richie scored two nominations in the prestigious Song of the Year category at the Grammy Awards (for "Lady" and "Endless Love"). The success of "Endless Love" paved the way for Richie to leave the Commodores for a solo career. It earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song and was nominated in the same category at the Golden Globe Awards. Richie's self-titled debut album, produced by James Michael Carmichael (who oversaw most of the Commodores released) in 1982 sold over four million copies. "Truly" also went to #1 on both the AC and Popular charts and sold over one million copies.
Richie gave Richard Marx his start in the music business singing background vocals on this song. "Ever session I Ever did with Lionel was a very fun atmosphere," Marx said. "Lionel is always having fun - no matter what." "You Are" rose to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart and #4 overall.
Richie pulled a third big hit when "My Love" also hit #1 on the AC chart for five weeks, #5 Popular and #6 R&B, a big Triple Crown winner. Friend Kenny Rogers sang backing vocals on the song.
Lionel took his first Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance (after 18 nominations) and was nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album at the American Music Awards.
The 1983 album Can't Slow Down continued Lionel's red-hot momentum. Noted songwriter Cynthia Weil co-wrote the lead single, featuring the fantastic guitar work of Toto's Steve Lukather. The single "All Night Long (All Night)" topped the chart for four weeks and sold over one million copies.
The album has now topped 10 million in sales. "Running With The Night", again featuring background vocals from Marx, climbed to #7 in the U.S., #8 in the Netherlands and #9 in the U.K.
Richie said this monumental classic came out because "My co-producer (Carmichael) came over to my house while I was at the piano, and I sang, 'Hello, is it me you're looking for?" when he walked in. "he said, 'Finish it,' even though it wasn't a song." It is a good thing for Richie's third single from the album, "Hello", proved to be his biggest solo hit. Another triple #1 in the United States, it also topped charts in the U.K., Australia and the Netherlands and sold over one million copies.
Richie added a country flavor to his next single release. "Stuck On You" reached #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart and #3 overall. Amazingly, it was Richie's seventh #1 Adult hit in eight tries.
Richie scored a fifth huge hit from Can't Slow Down with "Penny Lover", a #1 AC hit that peaked at #8 on the Popular chart. It was later featured in the 1985 Rob Reiner movie The Sure Thing, which starred John Cusack.
The album became just the second in the Rock Era to contain five Top 10 hits after Michael Jackson's Thriller. Today, there are 25 such albums. Every single released reached the Top 10, even a rarer feat. The title song was not released, but should be featured here.
"All Night Long" and "Hello" were both nominated for Song of the Year and Can't Slow Down captured Album of the Year honors at the Grammy Awards. "All Night Long" also chalked up an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video. Here is another solid track on the album--"The Only One".
January 28, 1985 was a very busy and landmark day in the life of Lionel Richie. He sang "Running With The Night" to open the American Music Awards, which he hosted, which meant he had to be there for rehearsals in the morning.
Richie won American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favorite Pop/Rock Male Video Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Video Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Soul/R&B Video (both for "Hello"). Lionel was also nominated for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Black Album, while "All Night Long" was nominated for Favorite Soul/R&B Single at the AMA's.
After the awards broadcast, Richie and 44 others headed to A&M Recording Studios to record "We Are The World", which Lionel co-wrote with Michael Jackson. The session did not end until the next morning.
Can't Slow Down has gone over 20 million in sales. "Love Will Find A Way" is another of his career best.
Join us for Part Two for one of the top singer-songwriters of the Rock Era!
The single "Join Together" climbed to #9 in the U.K. and Switzerland but peaked at #17 in the U.S., yet another underrated song.
Exhausted from an accompanying tour and having not written enough material for a new album, the group took a break until May of 1972. The Who released the album Quadrophenia in 1973, which went Platinum and gave them another Top 10 album in every major country except the Netherlands. "Love, Reign O'er Me" is the highlight of the album.
Quadrophenia is a term Townshend invented about schizophrenia times two. The group needed several sound effects to achieve the train station atmosphere of "5:15". Since the only available sound effects were all mono recordings, they created their own by bringing a mobile recording unit to Waterloo station in London to record the actual sounds of the platform.
"I'm One" is an indication that Jimmy, the character in the Quadrophenia Rock opera, may not be as Mod as he thinks he is. Mods would lose respect if he asked another Mod where he got his clothes.
"The Real Me" is another example of the expert bass playing by Entwistle.
The Who started out on tour to promote it, but that tour was beset by problems as well. Daltrey and Townshend had arguments about adding keyboardist Chris Stainton (who played on the album) to the tour. Instead, Townshend recording the keyboard and synthesizer parts needed on backing tapes. The technology available did not match the demands of the music, and Daltrey and Townshend got into a fight that resulted in Roger punching Pete and knocking him out. At a show in Newcastle, the tapes didn't play, leading Townshend to yell at sound-man Bob Pridden and kick the amps over.
The live logistics weren't the only problem. Moon drank excessively and used drugs heavily. Daltrey audited the financial records of the group and believed Lambert and Stamp had not kept proper records. Daltrey was also upset when Lambert looked for backers for a movie of Tommy without consulting the band first. Roger wanted them replaced, but Townshend and Moon disagreed with that assessment. The group filed a lawsuit against the two for unpaid royalties and Lambert and Stamp were fired in 1974. Bill Curbishley became the new manager, a role he keeps to this day. During the U.S. Tour, Moon passed out during a concert at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. An audience member filled in for the rest of the show.
In 1974, the Who began work on the movie Tommy, which included Ann-Margret, Elton John, Jack Nicholson, Tina Turner and Eric Clapton. The movie premiered on March 18, 1975 and Townshend was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score. The soundtrack climbed to #2 on the Album chart and was certified Gold. Later in the year, the Who released the album Odds & Sods, which included several songs from the abandoned Lifehouse album years before. In 1975, the band released the album The Who by Numbers, a Platinum album which reached #7 in the U.K. and #8 in the United States. "Squeeze Box" was what is referred to as a "stiff", a song by a major group that fails to make the Top 10, just #16 in the U.S.
"Blue, Red And Grey", which includes French horn from Entwistle, however, was a better song. It is about remaining optimistic when problems creep in.
As was "How Many Friends", which cautions us to evaluate how loyal friends really are.
Despite their internal struggles, the group played before large audiences, including a crowd of 78,000 at the Pontiac Silverdome. But in 1976, the group put live shows on hold, performing only once in 14 months. The Who released Who Are You in 1978, a #2 album in the U.S. that sold over two million copies. The title song rose to #7 in Canada but only #14 in the United States.
The group filmed a show at Shepperton Sounds Studios for the movie The Kids Are Alright, with the soundtrack album reaching Platinum status. "Long Live Rock" is another great track from the group. On September 6, Moon attended a party hosted by Paul McCartney. After Moon returned home, he took 32 clomethiazole tablets, prescribed to help him with alcohol withdrawal. Moon passed out the next morning and was found dead that afternoon.
The group pressed on, hiring Kenney Jones, formerly of the Faces, who had worked previously with the Who. The band resumed live performances in 1979. The movies Quadrophenia and The Kids Are Alright were released that year. In December, the Who were featured on the cover of Time magazine. On December 3, 1979, there was tragedy at a Who concert at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio. Seating was mostly first-come, first served, rather than assigned seats. The doors weren't opened at the scheduled time, and fans rushed towards them when they falsely believed a Who soundcheck was the beginning of the concert. Two doors were finally opened and fans streamed in those two doors. As the thousands of fans surged forward, dozens of people were trampled. Eleven died of asphyxiation and 26 were injured. Daltrey and Townshend both released solo albums before The Who released the album Face Dances in 1981, a #1 album in Canada that has sold over one million copies. The single "You Better You Bet" reached #4 in Canada and #9 in the U.K. but stalled at #18 in the U.S.
Although "Don't Let Go The Coat" is a solid track, the Who would never get near the Top 20 again. Townshend by this time was addicted to heroin and was constantly depressed. However, the compilation album Hooligans in 1981 went Gold.
In 1982, the group released the album It's Hard, which went Gold and peaked at #3 in Canada and #8 in the U.S. "Eminence Front" is one of The Top Tracks of the Rock Era*. Daltrey and Entwistle wanted to tour rather than record, while Townshend took the opposite point of view. As a result, the Who went on a farewell tour of North America.
In 1983, the band released the compilation album The Who's Greatest Hits, a two-million seller. The group has reunited several times, however. They performed for Live Aid in 1985. They reunited for a tour in 1989 with Simon Phillips playing drums and Steve Bolton playing guitar along with Townshend.
In 1988, the group released one Gold compilation album, Who's Better, Who's Best, and the Gold box set, Thirty Years of Maximum R&B, in 2004. Their 20th Century Masters--The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Who has sold over one million copies. The Who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Daltrey, Townshend and Entwistle joined Ringo Starr's son, Zak Starkey, to perform the music from Quadrophenia at Hyde Park in London. They did so well that they played six nights at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, new York and toured the United States and Europe. The band got together again for several shows in 1999 and toured the United States and the U.K. in 2000. The Who performed the Concert for New York City at Madison Square Garden in 2001 to benefit families of people who died in the September 11 murders at the World Trade Center.
The Who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards in 2001. The group played dates in the U.K. in 2002 to get ready for a tour of the United States, but the day before the tour was schedule to begin, Entwistle was found dead of a heart attack caused by cocaine at the age of 57. The Who continued with the tour with bassist Pino Palladino. In 2004, the Who played selected dates in the United States, the U.K., Australia and Japan. In 2006, the group released the album Endless Wire. Starkey was invited to join as a full-time member but declined. The Who toured to support the album, including headlining the 2007 Glastonbury Festival.
The Who performed at halftime of Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 and played at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. In 2012, Daltrey, Starkey and Townshend added keyboardists John Corey, Loren Gold and Frank Simes for a tour of Europe and North America. In 2014, the group released the compilation album The Who Hits 50! They scheduled a major tour in 2015 and played at the Glastonbury and Hyde Park Festivals, but had to cancel most dates after Daltrey contracted viral meningitis. The group resumed the tour in 2016 that continued into 2017. The Who had a horrible chart record, only reaching the Top 10 with one of 26 releases, but they countered that with several Top Tracks* and, as noted above, several underrated songs that should have been ranked higher.
According to the newspaper The Florida Times Union, the Who have sold over 100 million albums worldwide. They also gain additional points for being able to pull their loyal fans to concerts.
In 1968, Townshend began working on a concept album about the life of a deaf, dumb and blind boy who becomes a champion pinball player. The group released what became their breakthrough album, Tommy, in 1969 and played the songs on a tour to promote it. "Pinball Wizard" shot up to #4 in the U.K. and #6 in Canada, but stalled at #19 in the U.S., another underrated song.
Townshend was inspired to come up with the Tommy concept after being introduced to the teaching of Meher Baba and Pete wanted to translate Baba's teachings into music.
Baba worked with the poor and was Mahatma Gandhi's spiritual adviser. "I'm Free" is another of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs*, only making it to #37.
The Who landed a Top 10 album in the United States for the first time and Tommy was Top 10 in every major country in the world except West Germany. Tommy has now sold over two million copies in the U.S. alone. It was a good thing too--the Who faced bankruptcy if the album didn't sell. The group released another single from the album, "See Me, Feel Me", which hit #2 in West Germany but only #12 in the United States.
At this part of the story, Tommy has come to the realization that he can interpret the world around him as music. "Sparks" is part of that amazing journey.
The Who performed the album in its entirety while on tour, which included shows at the Isle of Wight Festival in both 1969 and 1970, the University of Leeds and the Metropolitan Opera House and Fillmore East. This is "Christmas".
The Who performed at Woodstock in August. They were scheduled to appear Saturday night but as the Festival ran late, they did not walk on stage until 5 a.m. Sunday morning. Portions of their show appear on the movie Woodstock, as well as The Old Grey Whistle Test and The Kids Are Alright.
The band released the non-album single "The Seeker". Thanks to Monterey and Woodstock, the Who gained a reputation for being one of the best live acts, and they also performed at the Isle of Wight Festival.
The band recorded a show at Leeds which was released as the album Live at Leeds. The album, widely regarded as one of the best live sets of all-time, was a two-million seller that charted at #2 in Canada, #3 in the U.K. and #4 in the United States.
While performing the music from Tommy, the Who became the first Rock band to play at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. Townshend set out to write a follow-up to Tommy that was tentatively titled Lifehouse, with use of synthesizers. The other members of the group felt the project was too complicated and finally, Pete relented and gave up on the album, but not before suffering a nervous breakdown from the pressure.
The group released the compilation Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy in 1971, which has sold over one million copies.
When Lambert's drug problems affected his production, the Who hired Glyn Johns for their new album. Much of the Lifehouse material was included on what would prove to be the album of their career, Who's Next in 1971. The band released the single "Won't Get Fooled Again", one of their best-known songs. It peaked at #7 in Canada and #8 in the U.K. but only #15 in the United States, yet another of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs*.
The Who then released the non-album single "Let's See Action".
Who's Next topped charts in the U.K., hit the Top 10 in every major country except West Germany and has sold over three million copies. "Behind Blue Eyes" is another member of that Underrated Songs* club, stalling at #34.
"Baba O'Riley" is another non-album single which is a Top Track*.
Townsend wrote "Bargain" as a salute to Baba. The song tells the important story about devaluing material goods in favor of spiritual enlightenment.
"My Wife" is Entwistle's contribution to the album.
Townshend wrote "Going Mobile" about driving around in a car with no specific destination. He achieved the guitar sound by plugging it into a synthesizer known as an Envelope Follower, which made it sound as he was playing under water.
"Getting In Tune" is about the music business, specifically about the conflict between Townshend's spiritual gains and the pressure that being a Rock star put on his beliefs.
The conclusion of the salute to Who is next in Part Three!
"One of the finest bands on the planet." "Life changing music brought by one of the greatest rock bands in history." "Absolute musical brilliance."
"None better than the Who! Awesome instruments, awesome vocals, awesome everything!"
"Genius, timeless, legends..."
"The Who are incredible."
"The Who is made up of four people who are some of the best musicians in their class."
"Magnificent."
"The Who really were artists. The use of obscure instruments, the harmonies, the grabby hooks, and mostly the patience they took to craft it really shines through."
"One of my FAVE bands ever."
"Their sound was so awesome."
"Amazing band, truly." "The fact the all of four of these legends were in the same band is incredible!"
"Thanks to the Who for making great music." "One of the best bands EVER for bringing their electric energy to the stage! "
Guitarist Pete Townshend and John Entwistle became friends at Acton County Grammar School and formed a jazz group. Entwistle played French horn in the Symphony Orchestra, but as he liked Rock music, he first tried guitar before switching to bass after hearing Duane Eddy's songs. Entwistle could not afford to buy an instrument so he made his own.
Townshend went to Ealing Art College. Roger Daltrey was expelled from school at age 15 and in 1959, started the group the Detours, playing lead guitar. The Detours played mostly instrumental covers for professional shows at business functions and weddings. Soon, Daltrey saw Entwistle with a bass guitar and invited him to join his group. Shortly after, Entwistle suggested the group invite Townshend and Daltrey switched to lead vocals after Colin Dawson left the band. Harry Wilson originally played drums, but was replaced by Doug Sandom. The Detours began supporting other artists after signing a management contract with promoter Robert Druce. After finding out that there was a group called Johnny Devlin and the Detours, the group met to choose a new name and decided on the Who.
The group played regularly at the White Hart Hotel in Acton, the Goldhawk Social Club in Shepherd's Bush, the Notre Dame Hall in Leicester Square and the Oldfield Hotel in Greenford. By this time, the Who switched to manager Helmut Gorden, who arranged for them to audition for Chris Parmeinter of Fontana Records. Parmeinter wasn't happy with Sandom, and Townshend immediately told Doug he would be fired if he didn't improve. Sandom left and the Who auditioned possible replacements. They were particularly impressed with Keith Moon, who was with a group called the Beachcombers.
Once again, the Who switched managers, hiring Peter Meaden. Meaden renamed the group the High Numbers and this time, the band successfully auditioned with Fontana. They recorded a single which flopped. The band reverted to the name the Who and began honing the live act that would soon make them famous. Daltrey began using his microphone cable as a whip and would jump into the crowd, Moon threw his drumsticks into the air mid-beat, catching them in perfect timing to use them again. It is around this time that Townshend initiated his trademark windmilling motion to play guitar. In the revolving management situation, Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp took over from Meaden after seeing the Who at the Railway Hotel in Wealdstone. The band began playing rhythm and blues and came up with the slogan "maximum R&B".
In June of 1964, Townshend broke the head of his guitar when he accidentally scraped it on the low ceiling. When the audience laughed, Pete became angry and smashed the instrument on the stage before picking up another one to continue playing. The next week, he did it again, prompting Moon to kick his drum set over. From this point on, the Who included such antics in their shows.
The Who soon landed shows at the famous Marquee club in London, where they were seen by Shel Talmy, who produced the Kinks.
Townshend wrote "I Can't Explain", which, after Talmy signed the Who to his production company, was sold to Decca Records in the United States. The band needed just four takes to record it and the single peaked at #8 in the U.K. but stalled at #93 in the U.S.
The Who recorded the song at Pye Studios. Jimmy Page played fuzz guitar on "Bald Headed Woman", the flip side. The band promoted "I Can't Explain" on the television shows Ready Steady Go! and Top of the Pops. While touring Denmark, Daltrey flushed Moon's amphetamines down the toilet and upon the group's return to Britain, they fired Daltrey. He was reinstated with the understanding that each member would have equal say rather than Roger making all their decisions.
In 1965, the Who released their debut album My Generation, which raced to #5 in the U.K. Townshend wrote this at age 20 while riding the train from London to Southampton. "'My Generation', he explained, "was very much about trying to find a place in society. I was very, very lost." Daltrey brilliantly used a stutter on lead vocals on the title song, a #2 smash in the U.K. and Australia that also charted at #3 in Canada, #6 in West Germany and #9 in Austria but only #74 in the United States, making it one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.
But the Who and Talmy had disagreements that led to an end to the recording contract. The group signed with Reaction Records and released "Substitute" as a single. But it was only a hit in Europe, reaching #2 in the Netherlands, #5 in New Zealand and #5 in the U.K.
The single "The Kids Are Alright", written as a tribute to the Mods, a group of rebellious British youth, stalled at #41 in the U.K. and didn't even make the Hot 100 in the U.S. While it is popular with a segment of the population, the lack of success showed that the majority of the music-listening public wasn't keen on the Who.
We also want to feature "Out In The Street", featuring the frantic distorted guitar of Townshend and the lightning-quick drumming of Moon. Moon and Entwistle, who recorded a show on Ready Steady Go! with Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys, were late to a Who performance. Townshend took exception and attacked Moon with his guitar, leaving a black eye and bruises. Moon and Entwistle quit the band but after a change of heart, rejoined one week later. The band released the album A Quick One, another Top 5 album in Great Britain. The United States album Happy Jack yielded the title song, a Top 10 hit throughout Europe and #1 in Canada but only #24 in the U.S.
The Who landed an appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival, which gave them considerable exposure and attention in the U.S. They opened for the Herman's Hermits on a tour of the United States. The band released the non-album single "Pictures Of Lily", #4 in the U.K., #5 in Germany and the Netherlands, #7 in Australia and #9 in Austria.
In 1967, the band released The Who Sell Out. "I Can See For Miles", written by Townshend about his future wife Karen, reached #9 in the U.S. and #10 in the U.K. She still married him after the song. It was the only Top 10 song the Who would ever have in the United States.
People who are casual Who listeners associate lead singer Roger Daltrey with most of their songs, but Pete sang a few himself, like "I Can't Reach You".
We hear Byrds and Beatles influences on this song--"Relax".
The album is a collection of unrelated songs mixed with fake commercials and is a loose concept album in that way. This is "Sunrise".
"Tattoo" is something of a right of passage song about two young boys who think that if they get a tattoo that will make them a man.
The Who toured the United States with Eric Burdon and the Animals and scored an appearance on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Moon talked one of the stage workers into putting explosives into his drum set, but the worker loaded it with 10 times more than expected. When the set exploded, Moon was knocked off the drum riser, his arm was cut by flying shrapnel from his cymbal, Townshend's hair was singed and he suffered hearing loss in his left ear and a studio monitor and camera were destroyed.
The band released the album Magic Bus: The Who on Tour, with "Magic Bus" reaching #6 in Canada but a stiff everywhere else, including #25 in the United States. After Lambert and Stamp formed the label Track Records, distributed by Polydor, the Who switched release of their U.K. material from Brunswick Records to Track. The group toured the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The group was known by now but hardly household names. That changed with the release of their next album. Join us for Part Two!
