My Generation (Deluxe Edition)

Formed in London, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle recruited Keith Moon as drummer. Their violence matched an anti-social attitude (Townshend's pyrotechnic guitar demolition was especially noteworthy), and the Who were shunned by major labels. "I Can't Explain", released on Brunswick in January 1965, was written by Townshend, and modelled on the Kinks. "My Generation" depicted a frustrated, amphetamine-charged adolescent and was the title track of the Who's debut album. Popularity in the USA flourished only after their appearance at 1967's Monterey Pop Festival. TOMMY (1969), an extravagant rock opera, spawned a major hit, "Pinball Wizard" and became a film directed by Ken Russell. LIVE AT LEEDS (1970) is often cited as the best ever live rock recording. WHO'S NEXT (1971) contained "Won't Get Fooled Again", a UK Top 10 hit. QUADROPHENIA (1973), an homage to mod culture, became a successful film. WHO ARE YOU's 1978 release was overshadowed when Keith Moon died following an overdose of medication to alleviate alcoholism. His eccentric behaviour and virtuoso drumming had been integral to the Who. The group resumed recording in 1979 with former Small Faces/Faces drummer Kenny Jones. IT'S HARD (1982) contained "You Better You Bet", which restored them to the Top 10. A farewell tour took place in 1982-83 and the band reunited for Live Aid. An astonishing live band and one of the finest groups of their generation, they are also one of the most influential.

Q (10/96, 191)
- 4 Stars - Excellent - "...Digitally remastered, this set includes all their hit singles from 1965-1981....one of the few bands able to reproduce the barbiturate rush of their live performance on record."

NME (8/10/96, p.50)
- 8 (out of 10)
- "...The measure of The Who's greatness was how...they were still punk to the core....Here we have The Who at their churning peak, struggling to reconcile grandiose ambition with the most basic rock'n'roll impulse of all: to destroy..."