Maximum R&B: The 'Orrible 'Oo

[Susan Foreman]

June 15th, 1979 - the film 'The Kids Are Alright' is released in New York. UK fans had to wait another 9 days, until June 24th, when the film was released over here

Often described as 'the best music documentary ever made', it's well worth seeing even of you are not a fan of The Who

[Susan Foreman]

June 18th, 1967

The Who perform at The Monterey International Pop Festival in Monterey, California. Pete confronts Jimi Hendrix before the show and demands The Who hit the stage before he does since Hendrix will also smash his guitar. If they follow him the crowd will think The Who are stealing Hendrix's act even though they were the ones who originated it. Hendrix plays his guitar and coolly ignores Pete. John Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas finally decides it with a coin toss.

The Who will play first but despite this, They face another disadvantage Hendrix does not. Their penny-pinching managers have sent them to the festival with rented equipment and amplifiers incapable of conveying the power of their act. Their performance is spotty but no one forgets the ending of "My Generation" with Pete and Keith engaging in a riotous instrument bust-up captured by D.A. Pennebaker's cameras and later featured in the movies Monterey Pop and The Kids Are Alright

After the show The Who hang out with Mama Cass who ply them with the best of the Bay Area's hallucinogens. Hendrix sets his guitar on fire and smashes it leading Cass to tell Pete, "He's stealing your act!" Pete replies, "No, he's not stealing my act, he's doing my act."

[Susan Foreman]

June 20, 1967 - The band return to London following their appearance at Monterey. Keith swallows some STP (2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine [standing for "Serenity, Tranquility and Peace"], a new drug he was given at the festival. Pete doses himself as well.

The result is a long and terrifying trip that takes almost a week to completely wear off, leading Pete to permanently swear off psychedelic drugs

[Susan Foreman]

June 25th, 1971 - 'Won't Get Fooled Again', one of the great rock songs, was released as a single in the UK. It reached #9 in the charts

Clocking in at 8.35, the song originally appearing as the final track on the 'Who's Next' album. It was edited down to 3.36 and released in preference to the song 'Behind Blue Eyes' which the group felt didn't fit their established musical style

Full version

Single edit

Single 'B' Side

[Susan Foreman]

26th July, 1964 - The band play The Refectory in Golders Green, London...and receive their first ban!

After being requested to turn their amps down, they respond by turning them up!

They never play this venue again

[Susan Foreman]

June 28th, 1967 - Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are found guilty on drug related charges. Jagger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for possession of four Benzedrine tablets he had purchased in Italy, and Richards was sentenced to one year in prison for allowing cannabis to be smoked on his property.

In a show of solidarity, and to raise money to help with their bail charges, Pete, Roger and Keith assemble at De Lane Lea Studios in London later that evening to record covers of 'The Last Time' and 'Under My Thumb'. As John was away on his honeymoon, Pete played both fuzz-laden lead guitar and bass

Released as a single, the double 'A' side reached #44 in the UK chart

[Susan Foreman]

July 1st, 1991 - Pete, Roger and John meet to decide on a song to record for inclusion on the Elton John tribute CD 'Two Rooms'. Roger presses for 'Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)' and ultimately gets his way

The Who do not record it together. Pete and drummer Simon Phillips record their part at Eel Pie Studios, but producer Jon Astley is displeased with Simon's work and replaces it with a programmed drum machine. The track is then sent off to Revolution Studios for Roger and John to lay in their parts

Although John has more than a decade of life left, this track will sadly end up being the last thing he ever recorded with the band in the studio

[Susan Foreman]

July 3rd, 1964 - As 'The High Numbers', the first recorded single by the band is released on the Fontana Records label.

The singles 'A' side is 'Zoot Suit', and it is backed with 'I'm The Face'

Derek Johnson, writing in the New Musical Express says: "The High Numbers are highly topical with their novelty lyric about male attire, 'Zoot Suit.' Medium twister, but with an inconsequential tune. Harmonica leads into broken-beat unison vocal on 'I'm The Face.' Compelling styling, but weakish material." Record Mirror, however, gives the single a rave review, describing 'Zoot Suit' as "an ultra-commercial blues-flavoured dance tune that grows and grows on you."

Only 1,000 discs are pressed and although members of the bands fan club write to pirate radio stations, using assumed names on multiple letters, asking for the songs to be played, the single fails to get airplay or generate sales

[Susan Foreman]

July 6th, 1962 - Under the name The Detours, an embryonic version of The Who play a show at the Paradise Club in Peckham. This is thought to be the first show they ever played

The line-up of The Detours consisted of Colin Dawson (lead vocals), Roger Daltrey (lead guitar and trombone), John Entwisle (bass guitar and trumpet), Pete Townshend (rhythm guitar) and Doug Sandom (drums)

After about five weeks, The Paradise Club was invaded by members of a rival club in Peckham who started a fight and smashed up the premises. As a result The Detours lost the booking

[Susan Foreman]

The Who play Wembley tonight