The Who: Minimum R&B

The Who is playing the halftime show at Super Bowl XLIV Sunday. I’m guessing it will go something like this:

The theme to CSI: New York will start playing and two old guys will take the stage. The singer will raise his fist in the air and swing his microphone, all in tribute to the glory of rock.

Also enraptured by the rebellious, liberating nature of the music, the large-nosed guitarist, who also happens to be a registered sex offender, will jump up and down and do several windmill-style guitar strums. Words will be sung about this being a teenage wasteland and a handicapped pinball prodigy with a supple wrist. Then the two sexegenarians, backed by a hired-gun rhythm section, will play the theme to CSI: Miami. Fireworks will explode and then the second half of the game will start.


Forty years ago, around the time of Super Bowl III, the first and only bowl won by the New York Jets, The Who were probably the best band in the world. And they were certainly the best live act - maybe ever.

Keith Moon was the heart and soul of the Who, the greatest rock drummer ever and the element that truly made them great. They should have broken up after his death in 1978. Bassist John Entwistle was equally brilliant. He died in 2003. Without them, The Who isn't really The Who.

Nevertheless, Daltrey and Townshend are still trudging on, and in a Super Bowl promo acoustic set they did this week they actually sounded pretty good.


I'm sure what's left of this great band will provide perfectly fun, family-friendly musical entertainment, but let's take a moment to remember The Who at their Maximum R&B best. And if you don't have Live at Leeds, their incredible concert record, pick it up and turn it up - it's the best live album of all time. And pick up the DVD of The Kids are Alright. Go Saints!

"My Generation" The Smothers Brothers Show, 1967


"A Quick One (While He's Away)" The Rolling Stones' Rock & Roll Circus, 1968


"Young Man Blues" The Isle of Wight, 1970


Buy Live at Leeds on iTunes here.