In only 7 years The Who will be 50 years old. They have recently released a new album. It was their first in over 26 years. In 1992, The Who got accepted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Who consists of four members. Their names are Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, and John Entwhistle.

Band Information

The Who started in 1964 and are still together. In 1978, their drummer, Keith Moon, died of a drug overdose. In 1978, after the death of Moon, the band released no new albums or played any concerts. But they returned in 1979 playing an ear-shattering performance. In 1982, The Who had many drug problems. This is when they broke up, but only for a year. Each one of them went to rehab, cleaned up their act, and was ready to play as a band again. In 2002, John Entwhistle had a tragic death. It also was from drugs.

Band Members

Pete Townshend played lead guitar for The Who. He also sang backing vocals and sometimes even lead vocals when Daltrey would refuse to sing a song he had written. Pete also was the songwriter. Him and Entwhistle both changed instruments constantly. He often destroyed his instruments on stage and became famous for the “windmill.” He is also famous for inventing the rock opera. The first was Tommy in 1969.

Roger Daltrey is the main vocalist for The Who. The rest of the band was backing vocals. Often times he would play harmonica on stage in concert. Daltrey and Townshend are the only two band members still alive. Roger Daltrey got famous for his signature move in which he would spin the microphone in a counter-clockwise motion by spinning the cord with his hands. He has been recognized for his unique and talented voice.

Keith Moon was the drummer for The Who. His random insanity got him the nickname “Moon the Loon.” His set for the song Pictures of Lilly actually contained two and a half sets’ worth of pieces. Moon quickly gained a reputation for being highly destructive. He was known to destroy hotel rooms, the homes of friends, and even his own home, often throwing furniture out of high windows and destroying the plumbing with fireworks.   He died in 1978 from a drug overdose. His original replacement was Kenny Jones. But then the group found Zak Starkey who was the son of Ringo Starr

John Entwhistle was the bassist for The Who. He also played the French Horn in Tommy and he also sang backing vocals. Although he is not recognized for it, he was a very talented songwriter. He often wrote pieces for The Who. He was a very quiet man who kept to himself most of the time. Even so, he was one of the greatest bassists of all time. He died in 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada in a hotel room. He died from a drug overdose. The Who never replaced him, but Pete often plays bass in concerts.