The Who

Something special for these Progheads who love classic The Who, Tommy & HQ videos:

Edited by Svetonio - September 05 2011 at 03:44

C

dude wrote: hi all and thanks for the responsesI actually posted this in general music discussions but it was moved here,i have never thought of the who as proto prog, just a straight out rock act.still i suppose thats not really important,they were just a damn good band!!!

The frustrating thing about these forums is that this site's subheading reads Your Ultimate Prog ROCK Resource and yet so many posts make progressive MUSIC arguements for inclusion. Yeah, The Who made some great progressive rock. They belong here. Somewhere.

hobocamp wrote: C dude wrote: hi all and thanks for the responsesI actually posted this in general music discussions but it was moved here,i have never thought of the who as proto prog, just a straight out rock act.still i suppose thats not really important,they were just a damn good band!!! The frustrating thing about these forums is that this site's subheading reads Your Ultimate Prog ROCK Resource and yet so many posts make progressive MUSIC arguements for inclusion. Yeah, The Who made some great progressive rock. They belong here. Somewhere.

They *are* here. 

Daltrey: there aren't the lead singers anymore http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/daltrey-contemporary-music-lacks-lead-singers-14640120

Of all the Who albums only Live At last (I regret to say) is in anyway poor. Concept albums, orchestral renditions, movies, soundtrack versions, one of greatest live albums (then one of the worst). They could rock more violently than anyone (the only band never to worry having Zeppelin as a warm up act) and still have exquisite melodies (I Can't Reach You). A band with one of rocks' greatest composers, one of rocks greatest singers, and the rhythm section that has more up front than say Townshend and Daltrey who were left to hold down the basic timing ... 

Only regretable moment is no live rendition of Goin' Mobile a song guaranteed to lift (well, me anyway).

Were they the first band to really eschew the blues? This is the point where progressive rock departs rock. The development of psychedelic and rock symphonic arrangements (Armenia City In The Sky to Underture) is really progressing rock music. After all it can't be becuse they don't / didn't have a keyboard player. Neither did King Crimson... (ever.)

Speaking of eschewing the blues prog rock has something in common with punk and late 70s metal (both genres ignored the blues as a basis and yet the blues is the basis of rock.) I find this quite interesting. And for this reason alone The Who are a progressive rock band. They are also a heavy rock and soul band as well -  but progressive (art rock) has never been defined properly as we know.

..but .try explaining proto prog to a, er, normal music fan.... (I won't, I'm not that courageous / stupid / desperate to be despised/ hard up for conversation...)

The Truth wrote: I might add that one of the greatest bands of all time, Guided By Voices are largely influenced by The Who. Very cool stuff:

Agreed! hey, please check this one (2012 release)

uduwudu wrote: Of all the Who albums only Live At last (I regret to say) is in anyway poor. (...)

Yes, it is ... but, Who's Last  version of Doctor Jimmy is probably best recorded version of the song ever. Check it again  

rogerthat wrote: I am not sure I could think of many better renditions by an out and out rock singer than Love Reign O'er Me.  Great song and just incredible singing.  The Who, collectively or individually, don't quite get their due and this applies to Daltrey.

Agreed about Mr. Daltrey, of course.