October 2008 (5 years ago)

U.K. #1 downloads: "So What" - Pink; "The Promise" - Girls Aloud
U.S. #1 downloads: "Whatever You Like" - T.I.; "Live Your Life" - T.I. ft. Rihanna; "Womanizer" - Britney Spears

On the 1st, Bill Maher's anti-religion documentary Religulous is released featuring "The Seeker" over the opening credits. On the 20th, The New York Post's Page Six contacts Pete for his reaction: "Bill Maher is a comedian. I am a songwriter. I have faith in what I would call God, but I am not a religious man. I don't want to press my views on other people. Maher seems to have the wish to question and make fun of the sanity of we believers. I'm happy to say I'd prefer to be my kind of crazy than his kind of cynical, but . . . we live in a free society . . . Maher's film is not an important moment in the history of religion . . . So when I first refused the use of my song (for a very modest fee by the way) and Maher badgered me, I decided to allow it. If you have problems with this film, talk to Bill Maher. If you really want to know where I am on my spiritual journey, listen to the song."

Also on the 1st, the Tune Robbers release their album Hard Rock featuring a cover of " My Generation".

On the 6th, Roger Daltrey is a presenter at the Q Awards at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.

The following day, Pete Townshend wins the BMI Award for eash of his themes to the various CSI TV shows.

On the 14th, Eddie the Rat releases their album Out Behind the 8-Ball with a track called "Pete Townshend is My Dad".

On the 21st, The Who begin their 2008 North American tour in Detroit with a performance at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Crossing the border, the play Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario (22nd), before hitting the U.S. East Coast to play the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston (24th), Wachovia Center in Philadelphia (26th), the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut (28th), the Izod Center in East Rutherford, Illinois (29th) and The Borgata in Atlantic City for Halloween.

Also on the 21st, Labelle releases a CD Back To Now with a bonus track of a performance of "Miss Otis Regrets" with Keith Moon on drums.

On the 29th, the A Quick One Box is released in Japan featuring new masters of both the mono and stereo versions of the album plus rare tracks.

October 2003 (10 years ago)

U.K. #1 downloads: "Where Is the Love?" - The Black Eyed Peas; "Hole In The Head" - Sugababes; "Be Faithful" - Fatman Scoop
U.S. #1 download: "Baby Boy" - Beyoncé ft, Jay-Z

In early October, Anomoanon releases a limited edition 10" vinyl EP called Portrait of Entwistle with a cover of "Heaven And Hell" and a song called "John Entwistle".

On the 3rd, Roger Daltrey is interviewed on the Howard Stern radio show in New York. That night he attends the world premiere of Clint Eastwood's movie Mystic River at Avery Fisher Hall in New York.

On the 4th, the restored The Kids Are Alright has its theatrical premiere at the Walter Reade Theater in New York as part of the New York Film Festival. Roger Daltrey attends the pre-show party at the Waldorf Astoria then takes the stage at the Walter Reade with director Jeff Stein to introduce the film. The one-time antagonists let bygones be bygones with an impromptu joint microphone twirl but Roger does not stay to watch the film as he cannot stand to see himself onscreen in old footage.

On the 5th, Extreme History With Roger Daltrey premieres on The History Channel.

Wholapalooza II is held in New York Oct. 10-12 at the Hard Rock Cafe featuring appearances by "Irish" Jack Lyons, Dougal Butler and a performance by The Wholigans.

On the 11th, The Sun reports the details of John Entwistle's will. £5,034,954 will be split evenly between Lisa, Queenie and John's son Christopher. A special section denies second wife Maxene any money from the estate.

The Sun also reports in the same issue that the band The Mescaleros have asked Roger to take the recently deceased Joe Strummer's place on some tour dates promoting their new album. Roger declines.

On the 13th, The Old Grey Whistle Test Volume 2 DVD is released in the U.K. featuring The Who's Jan. 30, 1973 performance of "Relay" and a new interview with Roger.

On the 17th, Roger appears on Wolf Blitzer Reports on CNN to discuss The Kids Are Alright DVD.

On the 19th, Roger fronts the band RD Crusaders for the first time at Ronnie Scott's in London. The RD stands, not for Roger Daltrey, but for the publisher of the Express Richard Desmond who plays drums for the group. £400,000 is raised for a children's cancer ward and Desmond claims Roger says his drumming on "It's Alright" was "as good as Moon".

On the 20th, Later With Jools Holland - Giants DVD released in the U.K. featuring Pete Townshend performing "Magic Bus" from May 1996.

On the 28th, a double CD Tommy: Deluxe Edition is released mixed by Pete into 5.1 digital surround on SACD and with a disc of bonus tracks. It is later released on DVD-A as well.

On the 29th, That 70's Show begins its sixth season. Originally to be called "The Kids Are Alright," the show finally gets to name this episode by that title. All episodes in the sixth season are named after Who songs.

October 1998 (15 years ago)

U.K. #1 CD singles: "Rollercoaster" - B*Witched; "Girlfriend" - Billie; "Gym and Tonic" - Spacedust; "Believe" - Cher
U.S. #1 CD singles: "The First Night" - Monica; "One Week" - Barenaked Ladies

On the 1st, The Dead End Cruisers releases a single with a cover of "I Can't Explain" on the B-side.

On the 2nd, The John Entwistle Band renews their "Left For Dead - The Sequel" tour at Northern Lights in Clifton Park, New York. Additional dates are at Maddie's in Frazier, Pennsylvania (4th), Sing Sing Dueling Pianos in Chattanooga, Tennessee (6th), Road House Ruby's South in Olathe, Kansas (8th), Synergy in West Chicago (9th - John's 54th birthday), Knickerbocker's in Lincoln, Nebraska (11th), Wilbert's Bar & Grille in Cleveland (14th), The Magic Bag in Ferndale, Missouri (15th), The Inzone in Kernersville, North Carolina (21st), Jaxx Night Club in Springfield, Virginia (23rd), The Concert Bar & Grill in Yucaipa, California (29th), and The Boardwalk in Orangevale, California (30th).

On the 6th, Petula Clark releases her CD Here For You with a cover of "Pinball Wizard."

Classic Rock Albums: Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy by John Perry, ex-member of The Only Ones, is published.

On the 16th, Pete gives a surprise performance at the Sound Republic Club in Wardour Street, London as part of a "Rock The Dock" benefit for Liverpool dockworkers. Joining him for "Magic Bus" is Noel Gallagher and Steve Craddock of Ocean Colour Scene.

On the 20th, over two years after its European and Japanese release, The Who Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970 is put out in the U.S. on home video by Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Also on the 20th, King Biscuit Flower Hour releases Best Of The Best with a live version of "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who recorded at Philadelphia in 1973.

October 1993 (20 years ago)

U.K. #1 CD singles: "Relight My Fire" - Take That ft. Lulu; "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" - Meat Loaf
U.S. #1 CD single: "Dreamlover" - Mariah Carey

On the 2nd, Roger makes a guest appearance on the HBO TV series Tales From The Crypt in an episode entitled "Forever Ambergris."

Also on the 2nd, Pete performs at a private party for the Broadway and touring casts of Tommy at the West Bank Café in New York.

On the 15th, Pete oversees auditions at the Young Vic Theatre for the production of his musical The Iron Man. One beginning actor chosen by Pete for the role of "Picnic Dad" is 24-year old Stephen Moyer (True Blood). Around the same time Pete records "Iron Man Recitative" that later appears on Scoop 3.

October 1988 (25 years ago)

U.K. #1 cassette singles: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" - The Hollies; "Desire" - U2; "One Moment in Time" - Whitney Houston; "Orinoco Flow" - Enya
U.S. #1 cassette singles: "Don't Worry, Be Happy" - Bobby McFerrin; "Love Bites" - Def Leppard; "Red Red Wine" - UB40; "A Groovy Kind of Love" - Phil Collins

On the 13th, MCA sends radio stations a six-track promotional CD from the forthcoming Who's Better Who's Best called Bet You Can't Pick Just One.

Pete's investigation the previous month about the possibility of recording a new Who album filters down to the music press this month. Q magazine claims that Pete, Roger and John held a meeting to discuss the album and Kenney Jones showed up to announce that he wanted nothing to do with it. "A collective sigh of relief is believed to have arisen from the remaining members." Rolling Stone also reports on the rumors.

The Who become an object of historical study as John Atkins sends out the first issue of his Who journal Generations. Each issue primarily delves into the band's past with Atkins' first major work a catalog of all the Who's television appearances.

On the 21st, Goldmine reports that MCA and PolyGram had wanted to release The Who's first three albums on CD a year earlier but The Who asked for more money than either record label thought they were worth. They also report that a Who box set is in the works. The project gets as far as a preliminary compilation tape before the project is cancelled.

October 1983 (30 years ago)

U.K. #1 45: "Karma Chameleon" - Culture Club
U.S. #1 45's: "Total Eclipse of the Heart" - Bonnie Tyler; "Islands in the Stream" - Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton

On the 1st, Dave Marsh's mammoth history of The Who Before I Get Old is published. The book concentrates on The Who's early career.

Also on the 1st, T-Bone Burnett's LP Proof Through The Night hits the U.S. charts. Pete plays guitar on the songs "Fatally Beautiful," "The Sixties," "Hefner" and "Disney."

On the 5th, Pete announces he wants to open a drug-treatment centre in London.

The compilation LP Rarities Vol. 2 (1970-73) is released in Britain.

On the 22nd, Roger gives an interview to The Times (London) to promote his appearance in The Beggar's Opera on BBC TV. His remarks indicate that he still believes The Who will record a follow-up album to It's Hard.

October 1978 (35 years ago)

U.K. #1 45: "Summer Nights" - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
U.S. #1 45's: "Kiss You All Over" - Exile; "Hot Child in the City" - Nick Gilder

On the 1st, Roger's third film and his first without Ken Russell at the helm, The Legacy, premiers at the Warner West End 4 Cinema in London. Roger has a small role in the horror movie in which he is given an emergency tracheotomy.

On the 3rd, Pete joins the Paul McCartney-led supergroup Rockestra to record "Rockestra Theme" and "So Glad To See You Here" released in 1979 on the LP Back To The Egg.

On the 9th, Keith Moon's ex-wife Kim marries former Small Faces member Ian McLagan at Wandsworth Register Office in South London. Keith's mother attends the wedding.

On the 14th, Pete is interviewed for the first time since Keith's death in Melody Maker. Having stated several times over the last year that he had no desire to tour again with The Who, Pete now announces plans for the band to hit the road again. He mentions Kenney Jones among several other drummers as potential replacements for Keith, how he wants to add keyboards and brass to The Who, and how it will be necessary to lower their on-stage sound to protect his hearing. Pete is photographed in Brighton on the set of the movie Quadrophenia.

On the 21st, The Jam's single "Down In The Tube Station At Midnight" enters the British charts. On the flip side is a cover of "So Sad About Us" and the picture sleeve carries a tribute to Keith.

On the 25th, John is interviewed in Variety. He says that if Pete won't tour, he'll form his own band. He also expects no permanent replacement for Keith.

Kenney Jones later says it was this month that The Who told him he had the job of drummer. In addition to his long-time association with the mod movement as the drummer for the Small Faces, Kenney had become Britain's most sought-after session drummer after the break-up of The Faces, impressed Pete while filling in for Keith during the recording of the Tommy soundtrack and was a favorite of John as well.

October 1973 (40 years ago)

U.K. #1 45's: "Eye Level (Theme From The Thames TV Series 'Van Der Valk')" - The Simon Park Orchestra; "Daydreamer"/"The Puppy Song" - David Cassidy
U.S. #1 45's: "Half-Breed" - Cher; "Angie" - The Rolling Stones; "Midnight Train to Georgia" - Gladys Knight & the Pips

On the 2nd, The Daily Mail breaks the story of Keith and Kim's separation. On the same day The Who record a new backing track for "5:15" for their Top Of The Pops appearance. The Musician's Union insists on a new recording and goes so far as to send a representative to the session to make sure The Who do not cheat.

On the 3rd, The Who record the visual part of their appearance for the following evening's broadcast of Top Of The Pops 500th Edition. The audience is made up of celebrities and industry people. Angered at the bureaucracy imposed on their performance, Pete smashes his guitar and gives the BBC industry people in the audience the finger while Keith throws wigs from the prop department. A lifetime BBC ban on The Who is imposed until a letter of apology is sent and accepted. An edited version of the taping airs the following night.

On the 5th, "5.15," from the new album Quadrophenia, is released in the U.K. The flip side is a 1970 studio recording of "Water" that John had recently mixed for the Odds and Sods project. Roy Carr in New Musical Express calls it the "most dynamic single of the year" while Chris Welch in Melody Maker say it "sounds a lot like The Stones, vocals aside." The single will ultimately reach #20 on the charts.

On the same day Pete is interviewed about his involvement in the recently released Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert LP on BBC Radio 1's Rockspeak.

On the 6th, in New Musical Express, Roger discusses the upcoming release of Quadrophenia and preparations for the Tommy movie. He also talks about problems with The Who's business affairs. The next day Roger picks his favorite dozen songs on BBC Radio 1's My Top 12.

On the 9th, Keith's father, Alfred "Nobby" Moon, dies of a heart attack at the age of 53.

On the 10th, scheduled rehearsals for the Quadrophenia stage show were to take place for the next three days at D Stage at Shepperton Studios but are postponed. Meanwhile 4-track backing tapes for additional instruments needed for the live Quadrophenia presentation are prepared at the Ronnie Lane Mobile Studio.

On the 15th, an additional five days of rehearsals at Shepperton begin.

In an interview in Guitar magazine, Pete says that he is not a very good guitar player. On the 19th, Pete again appears on BBC Radio 1's Rockspeak this time discussing Quadrophenia.

On the 20th, Chris Welch gives an advance review of Quadrophenia in Melody Maker: "...more than an LP, it's a battle cry, and a hammer of heartbeats. For this is a masterpiece - The Who at their greatest yet, sap flowing from the roots of their creation...so real, you can almost taste the HP sauce and smell the fag ash...the kind of project that progressive British rock is all about...like Wagner's 'Ring' cycle, it is exhausting, but richly rewarding."

On the 24th, filmmakers Richard Stanley and Chris Morphet arrive to film that day's Quadrophenia rehearsals at Shepperton. When Roger discovers that, after a run-through of half the show, the cameras have not been rolling, he explodes at the movie crew. A drunken Pete goes after Roger, poking him in the chest with his finger. Knowing his reaction to physical threats, the roadies grab Roger before he can respond, but Pete tells them to let Roger go. When they do, Pete hits Roger in the arm with his guitar. Roger responds with an uppercut, knocking Pete out cold on the floor. Roger accompanies Pete to the hospital, terrified that he has killed him. Rehearsal filming is canceled permanently.

Also on the 24th, Quadrophenia is played in its entirety on New York radio.

The massive Quadrophenia double album is released in the U.K. on the 26th. However the initial run sells out quickly and, due to a shortage of vinyl caused by the OPEC oil embargo, additional copies are not pressed for another week and a half.

Also on the 26th, part two of Pete's interview about Quadrophenia is broadcast on Rockspeak.

On the 27th, Quadrophenia is released in U.S. at the same time as a single version of "Love, Reign O'er Me" with a different mix from the album. The B-side is "Water." The album peaks at #2 in the U.S. charts but the single reaches only #76 in the Billboard charts and #54 in Cash Box.

On the same day Charles Shaar Murray reviews Quadrophenia in New Musical Express: "...musically, some of it jars. A few of the more extravagant production touches, even after a half-dozen listens, sound about as comfortable as marzipan icing on a cheeseburger. Also, the band have dubbed on so much synthesizer, keyboard and brass that, at times, one aches just to hear some unalloyed guitar, bass, drums and vocals...isn't intensive listening to two-years-in-the-making double albums antithetical to the spirit of true rock 'n' roll? Personally, I couldn't care less...If you're going to sling it on at a party or walk in and out of the room while it's playing, then you're not going to get a damn thing out of it and you might as well save your £4.30 for other purposes. But if you're prepared to work at getting into Quadrophenia, and let it work at getting into you, then you might just find it the most rewarding musical experience of the year...it's by no means unflawed, but it's a triumph, certainly."

The review is followed by part one of a long interview with Pete about the recording and meaning of Quadrophenia: "...I think the first seed was that I thought that if we couldn't get someone to make a film for us, then, like Frank Zappa, I'd like to do it myself. I'd like to either buy a camera and direct it myself or alternatively, do a kind of movie without pictures..."

The same issue reports that the Royal Albert Hall has again refused to be the venue for that Christmas' all-star orchestral production of Tommy.

Chris Welch interviews Pete in the Melody Maker of the 27th. Townshend talks about how the failed 1972 album with Glyn Johns led to Quadrophenia, what happens at the end to its hero Jimmy, and lathers praise on John for working "14 hours at a stretch on each number, multi-tracking horns."

On the 28th, The Who open their U.K. tour at the Trentham Gardens in Stoke-on-Trent. For the first and only time with Keith Moon, The Who perform the entirety of Quadrophenia live. Pete has to change guitars twenty times for all the different capo settings the work requires. While The Who are performing, John's white leather jacket is stolen from backstage as well as the flying lady emblem off his Cadillac.

On the 29th, the press are invited to review the new work along with the audience at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton. Pete tells the crowd that the previous night's performance of Quadrophenia was "bloody horrible" and starting with this show "The Dirty Jobs," "Is It In My Head," and "I've Had Enough" are dropped. Roy Carr in New Musical Express says The Who are just as energetic as when he first saw them eight years before. Chris Charlesworth in Melody Maker finds the Quadrophenia performance a little rough but otherwise successful.

Also on the 29th, the RIAA announces that Quadrophenia has reached gold record status in the U.S.

On the 31st, Pete sends a letter to Mike Shaw at Track requesting that all copies of Quadrophenia for anywhere in the world be mastered in Los Angeles with the original master tapes.

October 1968 (45 years ago)

U.K. #1 45: "Those Were the Days" - Mary Hopkin
U.S. #1 45: "Hey Jude" - The Beatles

On the 1st, Peter Rudge joins Track Records as an office boy. Within four years he will be The Who's de facto manager after Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp become less involved with the band.

On the 5th, the band performs at the Roundhouse in London as part of a "Middle Earth" show with support from the Blossom Toes and the Fox. The show runs twice as long as usual and ends with a great equipment smash-up.

Also on the 5th, Track Records publicist Nancy Lewis tells Billboard that The Who's managers are still trying to launch a programme on British television. The planned pilot will be directed by Michael Lindsay Hogg, ex-director of Ready Steady Go! and the recent "Hey Jude" promotional video for The Beatles. Unlike reports from earlier in the year, The Who are not intended as hosts for the show. If filmed the pilot is never aired.

On the 7th, The Who fly to Bremen, Germany where they mime to "Magic Bus" for Beat Club. Before the taping, Pete and Keith do their part for Anglo-German relations by imitating Nazis.

On the 9th, The Who hire a bus from Paris and are photographed on board with female models and a small menagerie of animals, all to promote their new single "Magic Bus". Divested of the animals, the bus travels through London as The Who and the models toss streamers at passers-by. The trip runs into one snag when they are banned from riding in front of Buckingham Palace.

On the 11th, two-and-a-half months after its U.S. release, "Magic Bus" is released by Track Records in the U.K., backed with a complete version of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." John Wells in New Musical Express says, "...a real driving powerhouse number written by Pete Townshend, on which the boys really go to town...a great one for dancers, particularly in the clubs, and certain to restore the boys to the British charts."

On the 11th, it's time for another "Magic Bus" mime job, this one for BBC-1's How It Is with performance intercut with footage of the promotional bus ride filmed by manager Chris Stamp on the 9th. Afterwards, The Who head off for a show at the University in York with Spooky Tooth supporting.

On the 12th, they play another University, this one in Sheffield, with label mates The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown. On the same day, John is interviewed in Record Mirror. He says The Who's rock opera, "Deaf, Dumb and Blind Boy," will constitute one side of their forthcoming album.

Also on the 12th, Decca releases the LP Magic Bus - The Who On Tour. A collection of Who A-sides, album tracks and leftovers, the album gets bad marks in the Underground press for its title that could mislead buyers into thinking it was a live album. Unaware of the album prior to its release, Pete is furious with Decca. Despite, or perhaps because of the confusion, the album reaches #39 on the Billboard charts making it The Who's first Top Forty album in the U.S. The LP also features a new stereo mix of "Magic Bus".

On the 18th, The Who's own label Track Records also releases its own compilation for the coming Christmas market. A collection of previously released Who A and B-sides, Direct Hits goes retail in Britain on the 18th. Unlike its American cousin, the album fails to reach the album charts.

That day, The Who again board the 100-year old bus for another promotional drive around London. Afterwards, Pete is reported to say "I've had enough of this -- circus." Keith adds, "I bet the record doesn't even make the charts after this."

A "Pop Ask-in: Keith Moon" is included in that day's New Musical Express: "We get approximately £4,000 for a job in America and £500 for the same job in England. Then of course in the States you pay very low tax - none of this 19/6 in the pound fiasco." He also says of The Who's last single "Dogs": "it was rotten and it was rubbish!"

That night, The Who take part in a "Midnight Rave" at the Lyceum in London with supporting acts The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, Alan Bown!, Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera and Skip Bifferty. Jess Roden joins The Who to re-create his studio backing vocals on "Magic Bus."

On the 19th, Disc magazine reports The New Yardbirds will change their name to Lead Zeppelin (shortly to become Led Zeppelin) "courtesy of Keith Moon." That night Keith and his band The Who perform at the California Ballroom in Dunstable.

Reports have The Who continuing the Tommy LP sessions at IBC Studios, London from the 21st through the 24th from 2 to 10pm.

Another "Middle Earth" show on the 25th at the Granby Hall at the University in Leicester with supporting acts Joe Cocker and the Grease Band and Family.

On the 30th, The Who play down the Thames from Pete's house on Eel Pie Island with supporting acts East of Eden, Proteus and David Booth.

October 1963 (50 years ago)

U.K. #1 45's: "She Loves You" - The Beatles; "Do You Love Me" - Brian Poole and the Tremeloes; "You'll Never Walk Alone" - Gerry & The Pacemakers
U.S. #1 45's: "Blue Velvet" - Bobby Vinton; "Sugar Shack" - Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs

The Detours continue to build a following appearing Thursdays (3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st) and every other Saturday (12th, 26th) at the Oldfield Hotel in Greenford. They also make a couple of Fridays at the Glenlyn Ballroom in Forest Hill (4th, 11th), a couple of Sundays at St. Mary's Ballroom in Putney (6th and 27th), and another Friday dance for the Mods at the Goldhawk Social Club in Shepherd's Bush (25th).

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