Maximum R&B: The 'Orrible 'Oo

[Susan Foreman]

Film Soundtrack Album:
Tommy

Not strictly a Who album, although all four members of the band were featured on the reworked versions of the 'Tommy' songs that appeared in Ken Russel's movie. There is an interesting selection of vocalists here, including non-singers Oliver Reed ('Bernie's Holiday Camp') and Jack Nicholson ('Go To The Mirror]'. Offset against these, however, are Tina Turner, who gives a tremendous version of 'The Acid Queen' and Elton John, whose take on 'Pinball Wizard' was recorded with his own stage band, and became a huge hit single for him

By and large, the songs all feature an abundance of Pete's synthesizer work and elaborate choral arrangements by backing vocalists brought in to counter the musical shortcomings of the tone deaf singers

Several songs were radically reworked by the all star band, which ironically included Kenney Jones on many of the tracks since Keith couldn't always be relied on

There are also a couple of completely new songs on offer - 'Champagne and 'Mother and Son, both sang by Ann-Margaret

John does most of the bass work as well as playing all the synthesizers. Pete produced the record - a thankless task that drove him to the brink of a nervous breakdown

This LP is really a kitsch novelty item, of interest mainly to Who completists. Stick to the original Who version, or, better still, seek out some of the live versions of 'Tommy' recorded by the band circa 1969/1970

[Susan Foreman]

January 4th, 1971 - 50 years ago today, Keith travels to Hatfield to preside over the opening of a disco at the Cranbourne Rooms adjoining the Red Lion pub

Accompanying him is his wife Kim, his friend and drummer for the Bonzo band "Legs" Larry Smith and his girlfriend, all driven by Keith's chauffeur Neil Boland

A large number of skinheads show up at the disco and after Keith and his entourage leave and get in Keith's Bentley, they attack the car, surrounding it, throwing pennies and stones.

Against the yelled requests of those in the car, Boland gets out to try to clear a path and is quickly set upon by the crowd. Keith, in a panic, scoots under the steering wheel to try to get them out of danger and stomps on the petrol pedal, propelling the car forward, while Smith tries to steer from the backseat since Keith cannot drive

The car travels 100 yards down the road to another social club where they stop to get help. When Keith gets out, a van driver tells him someone is under the car. Keith looks. It is Boland, pinned under the car, his head crushed.

After a 6-week long court case, where Keith had pleaded guilty to drunk driving, driving without a license and driving without insurance, the judge threw the charges out, stating: "You had no choice but to act the way you did and no moral culpability is attached to you"

[Susan Foreman]

Following on from the concept behind 'The Who Sell Out', here are another couple of Who radio commercials - this time they are for 'Great Shakes' and the USAF

[Susan Foreman]

January 27th, 2002 - 19 years ago today, The Who play Portsmouth Guildhall - the first time I saw them - and Pete smashed his last guitar on British soil

[Susan Foreman]

The Ox in Portsmouth 2002

[Susan Foreman]

'The Who Sell Out' - Super Deluxe Edition Box Set coming soon

"Following Recent Super-Deluxe Editions And Multi-Format Releases Of Classic Who Albums – ‘My Generation’, ‘Tommy’ And ‘Quadrophenia’, And The Success Of ‘Live At Fillmore’, We Follow With The Who Sell Out – This Set Shaping Up To Be The Most Superlative Of All…!!

Released In December 1967 – The Album Reflected A Remarkable Year In Popular Culture. As Well As Being Forever Immortalised As The Moment When The Counterculture And The ‘Love Generation’ Went Global, 1967 Produced Tremendous Musical Upheavals As “Pop” Metamorphosed To “Rock”.

Originally Planned By Pete Townshend And The Band’s Managers, As A Loose Concept Album Including Jingles And Commercials Linking The Songs Styled As A Radio London Broadcast – Born Out Of Necessity As The Band’s Managers Wanted A New Album And There Weren’t Enough Songs.

The Original Plan Was To Sell Advertising Space On The Album – Jaguar Cars, Coca-Cola Etc. The Jingles Pay Tribute To The Pirate Radio Stations And Expose The Myths Of ‘Pop-Culture’ And Mock Consumer Society – Way Ahead Of Their Time…

The Homage To Pop-Art Is Evident In Both The Advertising Jingles And The Iconic Sleeve Design – Created By David King (Art Director At The Sunday Times) And Roger Law (Who Invented Spitting Image) Producing Four Giant Images For Each Band Member – Odorono Deodorant, Medac Spot Cream, Charles Atlas And Heinz Baked Beans (Roger Apparently Caught Pneumonia From Sitting In The Cold Beans For Too Long).

Photography By Renowned Portrait Photographer David Montgomery (Rare Out-Takes Included)

The Album Is A Bold Depiction Of The Period In Which It Was Made – The Tail-End Of The ‘Swinging-60s’ Meets Pop-Art Mixed With Psychedelia And Straight-Ahead Pop Craft. It’s Glorious Blend Of Classic Powerful Who Instrumentation, Melodic Harmonies, Satirical Lyrical Imagery Crystallised For What Was Only The Group’s Third Album – The Ambition And Scope Is Unrivalled By The Who, Or Any Others From That Period.

Within The Bold Concept, Were A Batch Of Fabulous And Diverse Songs – I Can See For Miles (A Top Ten Hit) Is A Who Classic, Rael, A Townshend ‘Mini-Opera’ With Musical Motifs That Reappeared In Tommy And The Psychedelic Blast Of Armenia City In The Sky And Relax Are Among The Very Best Material Of The 1960s.

One Of The Most Extraordinary Albums Of Any Era – It’s The Who’s Last ‘Pop’ Album. Two Years Later Came Tommy – A Double Concept Album About A Deaf, Dumb And Blind Kid…"

“We Were Hoping To Get Free Jaguars. We Got Fifty Tins Of Free Baked Beans”
Pete Townshend

Super-Deluxe Edition

• Disc 1 – Original Mono Mix, Mono As & Bs And Unreleased Mono Mixes
• Disc 2 – Original Stereo Mix And Stereo Bonus Tracks
• Disc 3 – Studio Out-Takes, ‘Fly-On-The-Wall’ Versions Of Early Takes Of Songs From The Album Sessions, ‘Studio Chat’ Etc. – Previously Unreleased
• Disc 4 – ‘The Road To Tommy’ Will Contain Stereo Mixes Of The Studio Tracks Recorded In 1968 – Some Previously Unreleased – Plus 1968 As And Bs Mono Mixes (All Tracks Remixed From Original 4 And 8-Track Session Tapes In The Who Vault)
• Disc 5 – 14 Of Pete Townshend’s Original Demos – Previously Unreleased & Exclusive To This Set…
• Bonus 7” Discs:
  - I Can See For Miles
  - Magic Bus
• 112 Tracks – Many Unreleased!
• 80-Page, Hard-Back Full-Colour Book, Including Rare Period Photos, Memorabilia & Track Annotation And New Liner Notes By Pete Townshend
• Comments From Pete Drummond (Radio Caroline DJ), Chris Huston (Talentmasters Studio), Richard Evans (Designer), Roy Flynn (Speakeasy Club Manager), Arnold Schwartzman (Designer) & Andy Neill (Who Biographer)
• Nine Posters & Inserts, Including Replicas Of…
  - 20” X 30” Original Adrian George Poster
  - Gig Poster – City Hall, Newcastle: The Who, Traffic, Tremeloes Etc.
  - Saville Theatre 8-Page Programme.
  - Business Card For The Bag O’ Nails Club, Kingly Street.
  - Fan Club Photo Of Group.
  - Flyer For Bath Pavilion Concerts Including The Who.
  - Crack-Back Bumper Sticker For Wonderful Radio London.
  - Keith Moon’s Speakeasy Club Membership Card
  - Who Fan Club Newsletter.

[Susan Foreman]

Record Collector Presents… The Who

The latest RC Special will thrill fans of the explosive rockers, one of the most successful (and most collectable) British bands of all time. With fantastic features and interviews from the RC archive, newly commissioned pieces from some of the best music writers out there, and in-depth looks at their most sought-after records and memorabilia, it’ll resonate with rock lovers of every g-g-generation.

Release date: 11 February

[Susan Foreman]

The complete press kit that was sent out with review copies of 'Quadrophenia' in 1973

[Susan Foreman]

Apparently...""After serious consideration, it is with much regret that THE WHO have postponed their U.K. tour, due to start March 16th in Manchester at the Manchester Arena and finishing at The SSE Arena, Wembley on April 8th. The dates will be rescheduled for later in the year. All tickets will be honoured.

Singer Roger Daltrey assures fans that the shows will “Definitely happen and it may be the last time we do a tour of this type, so keep those tickets, as the shows will be fantastic.”"

[Susan Foreman]

Official confirmation of the tour being cancelled

Potentially, this means they will not be touring again