We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
As I was re-listening to the LP “Who’s Next” released in 1971 I looked up the definition of the word “classic”. Let’s face it…sometimes we have heard the “classic” rock songs so many times that we can forget how good they are…until they start blasting out and you find some yourself windmilling your guitar or pounding out Keith Moon or John Bonham fills on your steering wheel until you’re afraid you might deploy the airbag.
“Classic”- defined as “tradition, enduring design….historically memorable….a standard of excellence”. All of those terms certainly define “Who’s Next”. The band had been touring extensively in the wake of “Tommy” and hadn’t really been back in the studio. They had released the classic concert Lp “Live at Leeds in 1970 but Pete Townsend knew they had to get some new material out.
The album came out of another Townsend project called ‘Lifehouse” It was supposed to be another rock opera but was given up on as too complicated and costly. The songs were good though….
Here is what the tune “Teenage Wasteland” sounded like…it later became ‘Baba O’ Riley”
Townsend was also able to seamlessly integrate the moog synth into the music on a number of the songs.
In my mind it’s one of the greatest rock LPs ever recorded. Just one excellent song after another….Baba O’Riley” kicks things off (Dave Arbus on the great violin guest shot) and then comes “Bargain” which may be the most underrated of the Who classics…just a great record. The others aren’t nearly as memorable….And then there is side 2.
Getting In Tune and Going Mobile may be lighter weight than some other songs but any band of the period would have been happy to have them. Behind Blue Eyes, sung by the villian in the original rock-opera, is a beautiful, angry song…as few songs are. And then comes one of those songs that I was talking about earlier. You’ve heard “Wont Get Fooled Again” a thousand times…and yet, I’m betting you’re screaming right along with Daltry every time you hear it.
The tv show “Classic Albums” did a great hour on the making of the record
The singing, playing and production is top-notch. Glyn Johns mix is first-rate. If the bar-room argument is best Rock LP ever and best rock song ever…”Who’s Next” and “Wont Get Fooled Again” both have to be in the discussion. Enjoy!
Comments