We’re redesigning the site. We’ll be back in a “bit”.
You can still access WhoTabs and Baba’s Bootlegs, the rest of the site is temporarily down while we get things back in order
In the mean time – check out some videos we’ve found around the web
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Articles of the day
On Tuesday, May 3, 1966 The Who were to have appeared at the Winter Gardens in Malvern but the show is cancelled and the disappointed audience is told that The Who could not make it due to a van break down. Some of the audience members aren't having it and go on a window-smashing rampage.
Better late than never. From yesterday. Didn’t see it until just nowTop ROCK ALBUMS in America May 2, 1981: Between March 21, 1981 and September 15, 1984, in addition to the Billboard 200 Album chart, Billboard published a Top ROCK ALBUMS chart which was a survey of the top albums played on American rock radio stations. This is the official ROCK ALBUMS chart from May 2, 1981 (the seventh ever rock albums chart) where The Who returned to #1 with their album “Face Dances.” Here’s a look at the Top 30 ROCK ALBUMS as ranked by Billboard from this week 43 years ago back in ‘81…(tap on the chart to view all 30 albums)
Ad of the day
On Monday, May 3, 1965 The Who played the Majestic Ballroom in Newcastle upon Tyne
For those interested: This is one of the new ads I've found that I do not THINK have been published before. Maybe it's just me...but I get a bit excited to find "new" ones! This one is from the Newcastle Evening Chronicle
Review of the day
On Wednesday, May 3, 1961 John Entwistle performed at the Acton Schools Music Association Fourteenth Annual Music Festival.
A newspaper report in the Hammersmith & Shepards Bush Gazette reported: "John Entwistle was the only soloist of the evening. He played the finale from the Horn Concerto No. 4, by Mozart. It's a popular horn solo which calls for nimble fingering. John could have given it a little more volume without any injustice to Mozart."
Perhaps this "review" had an impact on the young Mr. Entwistle. I suspect he was never accused of needing more volume when playing in The Who!
Concert of the day
On Saturday, May 2, 2015 The Who played the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
Visit our friends at petetownshend.net for more information about this show here: petetownshend.net/gigography/the-who-hits-50-tour/the-who-at-dallas-tx-american-airlines-center
Visit The Who's official site for the "Backstage blog" on this show here: www.thewho.com/backstage-blog/dallas-tx-american-airlines-arena-may-2-2015
And you can find more photos here:
ultimateclassicrock.com/the-who-dallas-2015/
and here: www.markbowmanimages.com/music-photography/roger-daltrey-the-who-dallas-2015/
The Who at Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
petetownshend.net
The Who performed in Dallas, TX on May 2, 2015. Check out our photo gallery, articles, reviews, setlist and videos for the show!Is that the one where Miley Cyrus showed up with tape over her nipples during Joan Jett's set?
What year did the Pretenders open up ? I was at the Houston show.
Box Set and CD of the day
On May 2, 2004* Polydor Records UK releases The Who: The 1st Singles Box containing CD recreations of 11 classic Who singles and the new "Real Good Looking Boy"/"Old Red Wine" songs
Also "The Who: Then & Now 1964-2004" is released in the U.K.
Also a mini box set of then and now.. contained live at bbc and who's better who's best dvd
doesn't " Maximum A's And B's " eclipse those sets?
Video of the day
On Thursday, May 2, 1996 Pete appeared on CBS-TV's The Late Show With David Letterman performing "Rough Boys" and "The Kids Are Alright."
I would go just to see Pete perform -The Refuses No River -Pure and Easy -Tea And Theater
Just an amazing and engaging performer (singer/songwriter)! Paul Schaffer did a great job, too - as always
Gotta have the interview if its Pete ! 🙃An interesting and often funny man. I regret I never saw the Who when Keith was alive. Money was tight, I was young. But I definitely don't need any convincing on how potent they could be on the best nights.
David was like "I like the old classics and all, Pete, but have you heard about these foo-fighters? Now THAT is rock n' roll for you..." 😎
I love how Pete revisits this song!
Never saw that before. Thank you for sharing. 👏👏
Empty glass is a great album, no bad tracks and I believe very underated🎶👌🖖🃏🦊🙏
Like wow. That tone. rhythm and feel. Fincredible.
Great song
Thanks! Great to have you back
Awesome performance!!
Talented musician, writer,composer and a visionary, Very talented man
Kicking butt like usual
Dan Friedman Gordon Kent Walker My main man!!!
👍👍
👍👌👏👏🎸
Love Pete
Z
Epic
Erin Nicole
Photos of the day
On this date in 1985 Pete attended the film premiere of "The Cotton Club"
Guess who has a collection of photos from this event!? Thanks Marc Starcke!!!
Looks very together and well. 😊
Er ist ein Großer
The master
Concert of the day
On Friday, May 2, 1980 The Who played the Saint Paul Civic Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Visit our friends at The Who Concert Guide for the setlist here: www.thewholive.net/concert/index.php?id=76
Thanks, yet again, to Marc Starcke for allowing us to share his collection of photos from this show!
Photos by Don Hughes and Alan Berkowitz
I was there. Great show!
I was in 7th row, main floor. Had a Golf Tournament scramble next day at the University Golf Course. Some guy named Tom Lehman won. He's so lucky I wasn't 100%.lol
Review by Jon Bream . Known for mistakes 👎
St. Paul Civic Center, I bought a headache.
Concert of the day
On Wednesday, May 2, 1979 The Who returned for their first concert after Keith Moon's death playing the Rainbow Theatre in London.
According to John Swenson, the audience went "absolutely bonkers" and Who fans and reviewers were ecstatic about the new line up featuring Kenney Jones on drums and John "Rabbit" Bundrick on keyboards.
You can listen to the show on YouTube here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJKzIo17U84&list=PLB4AED5CF0E5F8CB6
Visit our friends at The Who Concert for the setlist here:
www.thewholive.net/concert/index.php?id=140
Thanks, again, to Marc Starcke for allowing us to share his collection of photos from this show!
We queued all night at Chappell's Music shop on New Bond St for tickets.. ended up in front row AA.. The Who came on and loads of seats down the front collapsed 😀
Truly an amazing night. Kenney was fantastic
I always wondered, for years now, why did Pete have numbered guitars?
And a few days later they were playing in my hometown FREJUS, near Cannes cote d'azur😉🐸 l was there...of course 2 gigs
Saw them at the Apollo a few weeks later. Still had a point to prove in 79.
On this date…1981….really need to open up some old billboard magazines 🙂20 Biggest Albums in America 43 Years Ago: May 2, 1981: REO Speedwagon holds steady on top of the Billboard 200 Album Chart with their ninth studio album “Hi Infidelity”. Tap on the chart below to check out the Top 20 albums from this week back in 1981….
Wow! Face Dances was one of several ICONIC albums in the top 20 at that time!
Single of the day
On Friday, May 2, 1975 Keith's "Don't Worry Baby" backed with Together" was released in the U.K
Great album cover, front and back.
Keith's version was the first version of this song I ever heard and...welp.
Beware the Naked Man!
Got the album from way back Awful
Made Brian Wilson cry...ugh
And it charted #887 that week in the UK.
Dougal driving
Terrible Album.
Honking.
On this date in 1981…..United States 🇺🇸 Rock Radio Airplay: On May 2, 1981, The Billboard Top Tracks (ROCK) Chart was only in its seventh week of existence! The Top Tracks Chart ranks the most played songs on rock radio stations across America and is based ONLY on airplay, NOT on record sales. 43 years ago this week, back in 1981, The Who entered their fifth and final week at #1 with “You Better You Bet.” Here are the 30 most played songs on ROCK RADIO STATIONS in the United States 🇺🇸 this week back in ‘81 (give the chart a tap for full viewing)
A lot of great albums were released in 1981
Wow that list really takes me back , I was 16 in 81..
They topped some great songs that particular week.... And Another Tricky Day was also on that chart!
That should have topped the Top 100. Great history of why it didn’t in the book Hitmen.
I like Another Tricky Day more than You Better. The latter always seemed so unWho like in my opinion
...and the charts today????🤢
Name the 3 Canadian bands
Movie scene of the day
On Thursday, May 2, 1974 filming continued on the "Uncle Ernie" sequence for the Tommy movie.
Meanwhile, Pete spent the first of two days in Ramport Studios trying to coax a vocal performance out of Jack Nicholson who had been cast as the Doctor.
Listen (and watch) Jack's performance here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjzv9e2x5nI
I liked it as young man, but as I've aged, I realize that my early opinion of it was probably influenced by mind altering substances (that were consumed at the time)😁...Overall, it's very bizarre 1970's stylized shtick really ruins the film...However, the Ann-Margaret baked beans scene is still as enjoyable to watch today (as it was back then) 🤪😆...
such a great song on the original album. not so much in the film.
Speaking as someone whose father drove a bunch of teenage girls into NYC to see the film at the Ziegfeld bc it was my birthday (thanks, Dad!) I gotta say the best thing about that night was...not Jack Nicholson.
Oh man, I've always thought this was an awful movie.....! So over the top and cringey- even though I was about 11 when it was released. But I absolutely LOVED the original album. I would encourage/order all of my friends and schoolmates who might have seen this to listen to the original LP. Roger is great in this, along with Elton, Keith, and Clapton. Still silly though.
The album is awesome, this over hyped movie was an embarrassment. I saw the stage play in Stratford Ontario a few years back and it was amazing.
I love this movie - it’s what made me a Who fan
Song of the day
On Tuesday, May 2, 1972 Pete recorded his demo for "Long Live Rock" at his home in Twickenham.
The demo would later be included on "Another Scoop"
You can listen to it on YouTube here:
I always thought that an older Jerry Lee Lewis would have had a field day with this. Another ripping demo.
“….. I need it every night”
Please, sir, I want some more Scoops.
Ad of the day
On Saturday, May 2, 1970 The Who played the Lower Refectory at the University of Sheffield in Sheffield, Yorkshire
Photos of the day
On Tuesday, May 2, 1967 The Who's played their first gig in Norway at the Njårdhallen, a sports arena in Vestre Aker, Oslo
Photos by Johnny Olsen from The Who in Denmark & Norway & Finland by Kjell Malmberg and Olle Lundin courtesy of Marc Starcke
Concert of the day
On Sunday, May 2, 1965 The Who played the Dungeon Club in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. They showed up two hours late.
Photos courtesy of Chris Begood at dungeonmods.wordpress.com
This guitar looks really weird, with the 5 Rickenbacker knob unit and the two pickups. Never saw this before on an acoustic guitar. Maybe one of Pete’s own creations 🤔
What’s the guitar?!
I don't recall seeing Pete playing an acoustic with two pickups in it before. Probably didn't last very long anyway...
TV show of the day
On Friday, May 1, 2020 Pete appeared on BBC4's "The Shadows at 60" telling Bruce Welch how much he was influenced by his rhythm playing.
Γιαννης Βιταλακης
Concert of the day
On Sunday, May 1, 2016 The Who played the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Thanks, yet again, to Marc Starcke for allowing us to share his collection of photos from this show!
Visit our friends at petetownshend.net for more photos, links and user reports from this show here: petetownshend.net/gigography/the-who-hits-50-tour/the-who-at-minneapolis-target-center
Visit our friends at The Who Concert Guide for the setlist here:
www.thewholive.net/concert/index.php?id=2056
The back screen was visually stunning from the 8th row. I remember during Pinball Wizard it seemed almost 3D. What a great memory.
It was a great show. Considering Roger was coming off being sick, he was amazing! My favorite part was when we the audience messed up the end of Won't Get Fooled Again and Pete pointed out that we got F$%kn Fooled Again.
A very fine show.
Great time.