The Who were originally The Detours, but changed their name to The Who in early 1964 after it emerged that there was already an American band called The Detours.

Under the influence of publicist and manager Pete Meaden, the band made a conscious effort to appeal to the Mod scene. Meaden also convinced the band to change their name to The High Numbers, which was a short-lived decision as The High Numbers one and only single (“Zoot Suit” b/w “I’m the Face”) was not a success. It was during an appearance as The High Numbers that the band was seen by the management team of Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp, who were looking to make a film that would chart a band’s road to success. Lambert and Stamp decided that The High Numbers would fit the bill, but with the proviso that their name was changed back to The Who. A wise choice.

A big turning point for The Who came when Townshend’s home demo of “I Can’t Explain” was heard by American producer Shel Talmy, who had recently worked with the Kinks on their hard rock classic “You Really Got Me.” The demo was enough to convince Talmy of The Who’s potential and a deal with Brunswick Records followed shortly afterwards.

Townshend is on record as saying that the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” was a big influence when he was writing “I Can’t Explain,” so Talmy was a good fit to produce The Who’s early material, including “I Can’t Explain.” When interviewed by Richie Unterberger, Talmy wasn’t shy about highlighting the impact that he had on The Who’s early sound:

As important as Talmy’s influence was on the recording, plaudits must of course go to Pete Townshend for writing the song in the first place. In the 2007 documentary “Amazing Journey – The Story of The Who,” Roger Daltrey spoke of his admiration for Townshend’s songwriting on “I Can’t Explain”:

It’s very evident on “I Can’t Explain” that all the gigging had paid off and The Who were now a very tight band who were beginning to craft a very distinctive style. The addition of Keith Moon to the band in early 1964 had been an important factor in that regard, because his manic style supported and at times prompted John Entwistle’s wandering bass work and Townshend’s explosive guitar style. With Daltrey’s powerful and passionate vocals added to the mix, the band were a force to be reckoned with.

Rock critic, Dave Marsh, summed up The Who’s early musical prowess when in 1976 (Rolling Stone – October 7, 1976 edition) he reflected on the profound impact that “I Can’t Explain” had on him when first released:

The Who – “I Can’t Explain”

Authorship

“I Can’t Explain” was written by Pete Townshend.

Recording date/location

“I Can’t Explain” was recorded in November 1964 at IBC Studios, London, England.

Musicians

The following musicians played on “I Can’t Explain”:

• Roger Daltrey – lead vocals
• Pete Townshend – lead and rhythm 12-string guitar
• John Entwistle – bass guitar
• Keith Moon – drums
• Perry Ford – piano
• Jimmy Page – rhythm six-string guitar
• John Carter and Ken Lewis (The Ivy League) – backing vocals.

John Carter and Ken Lewis were busy session singers who would go on to have a hit with “Let’s Go To San Francisco” as The Flower Pot Men. They had been brought into the session by Shel Talmy, as explained by Roger Daltrey in a 1994 interview for Goldmine Magazine:

Despite Talmy’s reservations, the great lead guitar part was indeed played by Townshend on his 12-string Rickenbacker.

Future Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin guitar legend, Jimmy Page, was a popular session guitarist in this period and had previously worked on a Talmy-produced session with the Kinks.

Chart performance

“I Can’t Explain” peaked at number eight on the UK singles chart on April 17, 1965. It was less successful in the US, only reaching number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Covers

Oscar and the Majestics – “I Can’t Explain”

Oscar and the Majestics’ 1966 garage rock cover of “I Can’t Explain” is notable for Oscar Hamod’s use of fuzz tone guitar and the energetic drumming from Johnny Topa. This lacks the bite of the original, but it is a good recording.

The Scorpions – “I Can’t Explain”

German rockers, The Scorpions, recorded “I Can’t Explain” for the 1989 charity album “Stairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell” and it also appeared on their 1989 compilation “Best of Rockers ‘n’ Ballads.” The typical 1980s hard rock production gives this a beefier sound than the original and all concerned give a good performance. However, there is also a predictability about the execution in that it’s exactly how you would expect a late 1980s hard rock interpretation of the song to sound.

There will be a new Song of the Week on January 16.

“I Can’t Explain” is available on an expanded edition of The Who’s first album “My Generation” and a number of compilations, including last year’s “Greatest Hits.”

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The Who’s guitarist and songwriter was interviewed by Mojo’s Phil Alexander and then performed an acoustic set featuring the songs “Drowned,” “Acid Queen,” “Corrina Corrina” and “I’m One.”

Townshend provided an insight into the writing and recording of “Quadrophenia,” which he regards as “the last great…and the most fully formed album by The Who.” He also explained how the central character of the album, Jimmy, was intended to capture characteristics of each of The Who’s four members.

The Quadrophenia Director’s cut launch night

Pete Townshend spent six months of this year going through The Who’s archives to assemble the “Quadrophenia – The Director’s Cut” box set. The five disc set includes a remaster of the original album, Pete Townshend’s previously unheard demos, an exclusive eight track 5.1 sound DVD, a deluxe hardback book, previously unseen personal notes, photographs, memorabilia and other exclusive material.

Townshend appeared on Later with Jools Holland on November 1, promoting the Quadrophenia release by performing the song “I’m One”:

Pete Townshend – “I’m One”

“Quadrophenia – The Director’s Cut” will also be released as a standalone vinyl edition. Both can be pre-ordered now from:

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According to the Daily Mirror, a source close to the band said:

The event will coincide with The Who’s 50th anniversary, which may be celebrated with a tour.

UPDATE (29 Aug, 2011) – The Who have since denied that they will be playing the Olympic closing show. A post on their official Facebook page reads:

This November will see the release of a deluxe edition of The Who’s “Quadrophenia” album, which was originally released in 1973. The five disc “Quadrophenia – The Director’s Cut” will include a re-master of the original album, Pete Townshend’s previously unheard demos, an exclusive eight track 5.1 sound DVD, a deluxe hardback book, previously unseen personal notes, photographs, memorabilia and other exclusive material.

“Quadrophenia – The Director’s Cut” can be pre-ordered now:

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Daltrey won praise from fans and critics alike when he premiered the show at the Royal Albert Hall in March in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Pete Townshend will not be on the tour, but his brother Steve will play in Daltrey’s band, along with Frank Simes (guitar), Scott Deavours (drums), Jon Button (bass) and Loren Gold (keyboards).

Townshend has given his full support to the tour:

The following dates are confirmed for the Roger Daltrey tour:

• 3 July – Ragley Hall, Alchester
• 4 July – Sage, Gateshead
• 6 July – Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow
• 7 July – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• 9 July – Royal Centre, Nottingham
• 10 July – Newport Centre, Newport
• 12 July – Colston Hall, Bristol
• 13 July – Cliffs Pavillion, Southend
• 15 July – Guilfest, Guildford
• 16 July – Broadlands, Hampshire
• 17 July – Ripley House, Harrogate
• 19 July – City Hall, Hull
• 21 July – Indigo O2, London
• 22 July, Blicking Hall, Norwich
• 24 July – Powderham Castle, Exeter.

Click here for Roger Daltrey ticket information.

The 148-page volume features interviews with the band from the archives of the NME and Melody Maker, new reviews of every Who album, rare photographs and an introduction by Pete Townshend in which he claims that he wishes he had never joined a band.

Townshend states:

You can buy “The Ultimate Music Guide: The Who” at Uncut.co.uk

Click the banner below for official Who merchandise, including clothing, books, collectibles and music.

For this year’s show, Roger Daltrey will be singing Muddy Waters, and Wanda Jackson will sing tracks from her new album “The Party Ain’t Over”, including her take on Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good.” Kylie Minogue appeared on the 2007 Hootenanny and will return this year to duet with Jools on a Blossom Dearie song and some of her hits.

Veteran reggae artist Toots Hibbert, of Toots & the Maytals, will also be dropping by to perform hits such as “Monkey Man and Pressure Drop.”

Other artists due to appear on Hootenanny 2010 are:

• Cee-Lo Green
• Rumer
• Ruby Turner
• Rico Rodriguez
• Vampire Weekend
• Bellowhead
• Plan B
• Secret Sisters.

“Jools’ Annual Hootenanny” will be broadcast on BBC2 and BBC HD from 11:00pm on December 31.

The 36-minute audio interview can be heard on The Who’s website, with Daltrey answering some of the hundreds of questions submitted by fans.

Daltrey also commented on plans for the Who’s 2011 tour:

The long-rumoured Keith Moon biopic may still be on as, having already rejected six or seven scripts, Daltrey is planning to sit down with a friend who is a writer and work on a script between now and Christmas.

Daltrey hinted that a side project might be on the way in the form of a blues album. He is in talks with a guitarist about the project, but didn’t name who it is in case the project doesn’t come off.

Next month will see the release of a 40th anniversary deluxe edition of the Who’s classic album “Live At Leeds.” This will be added to our New Releases page as soon as it’s available for pre-order.

“The Who – Greatest Hits Live” features 22 tracks in all, including previously unreleased and newly mixed concert recordings. The tracks span The Who’s entire career, from a BBC sessions performance of “My Generation” from 1965, to a version of “Eminence Front” from a show in Brisbane last year.

Here’s the full track list for “The Who Greatest Hits Live”:

• I Can’t Explain – recorded 12th December 1971, San Francisco Civic Auditorium
• Substitute – recorded 12th December 1971, San Francisco Civic Auditorium
• Happy Jack – recorded 15th February 1970, City Hall, Hull, England
• I’m A Boy – recorded 15th February 1970, City Hall, Hull, England
• Behind Blue Eyes – recorded 12th December 1971, San Francisco Civic Auditorium
• Pinball Wizard – recorded 12th June 1976, Vetch Field, Swansea, England
• I’m Free – recorded 12th June 1976, Vetch Field, Swansea, England
• Squeeze Box – recorded 12th June 1976, Vetch Field, Swansea, England
• Naked Eye/Let’s See Action/My Generation – recorded 18th May 1974, Charlton Athletic Football Club, South London, England
• 5.15 – recorded 6th December 1973, The Capital Centre, Largo
• Won’t Get Fooled Again – recorded 6th December 1973, The Capital Centre, Largo
• Magic Bus – recorded 14th February 1970, Leeds University, England
• My Generation – recorded 1965, BBC Sessions
• I Can See For Miles – recorded 24th August 1989, Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles
• Join Together – recorded 24th August 1989, Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles
• Love Reign O’er Me – recorded 24th August 1989, Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles
• Baba O’Riley – recorded 24th August 1989, Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles
• Who Are You – recorded 24th August 1989, Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles
• The Real Me – recorded 31st January 2002, Watford Civil Hall
• The Kids Are Alright – recorded 7th February 2002, Royal Albert Hall, London
• Eminence Front – recorded 24th March 2009, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
• A Man In A Purple Dress – recorded 11th March 2007, Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York.

Roger Daltrey opened the show with an hour-long set, including classic hits from The Who catalogue, as well as solo material. He performed the following 11 songs:

I Can See For Miles The Real Me Days of Light Freedom Ride Gimme a Stone Who Are You Behind Blue Eyes I’m A Man My Generation Blues Young Man Blues Baba O’Riley.

Daltrey is varying his set slightly on this tour. The show in Nashville on March 1 did not feature “Who Are You,” “I’m a Man,” or “My Generation Blues.”

“Squeezebox” and “Ring of Fire” were Nashville tracks not featured in Tulsa.

There have been suggestions recently that Daltrey’s voice is failing, based on his performance at the Super Bowl. The evidence from this tour indicates that these critics may have spoken too soon. Sarah Hart reviewed the Tulsa show for TulsaWorld.com and said of Daltrey:

“It was a treat to see Daltrey, and he sounded much better than I’d expected. I wasn’t alone. The Super Bowl show was sub-par. I heard one fan say, “I was kinda worried after the Super Bowl, but he’s been practicing or something, because that was great!”

Her comments echo those of Scott Mervis who reviewed the opening show of the tour in Pittsburgh for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

“Rumors of Mr. Daltrey’s vocal demise, based on the Super Bowl halftime, were greatly exaggerated. On the first night of the new tour with his solo band, The Who singer sounded 20 years younger than he did in Miami.”

Roger Daltrey opens for Clapton for five more gigs in the States (New Orleans, Raleigh, Atlanta and Orlando), before returning to London to rehearse for The Who’s performance of Quadrophenia in aid on Teenage Cancer Trust on March 30th at the Royal Albert Hall.

Clapton in fine form

Eric Clapton rocked through a 15-song set, featuring songs from Derek & The Dominos, Cream, and his solo catalogue. His full set was:

• Going Down Slow
• Key To The Highway
• Tell The Truth
• Old Love
• I Shot The Sheriff
• Driftin’ Blues
• Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
• Running On Faith
• Layla
• I’ve Got A Rock N Roll Heart
• Badge
• Little Queen Of Spades
• Before You Accuse Me
• Wonderful Tonight
• Cocaine
• Crossroads.

Sarah Hart said of Clapton’s performance:

“Clapton filled me with awe. I watched his fingers caress and pluck those strings, and the ease with which they glided. He puts on no airs. He wore his trademark glasses, an untucked black shirt, dark slouchy jeans and what appeared to be white-bottomed Top Siders.”

Here’s a taste of what the crowd witnessed at the BOK Center.

Eric Clapton – Layla

Eric Clapton – Crossroads

Singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend, accompanied by their backing band, played solid versions of “Pinball Wizard,” “Baba O’Riley,” “Who Are You?,” “See Me, Feel Me” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” Zak Starkey, son of Beatle Ringo Starr, was on drums.

Before we get on to the concert itself, here’s video of the band’s interview and impromptu song at the Super Bowl 44 Press Conference.

The Who at the Super Bowl 44 Press Conference – “Won’t Get Fooled Again”

The Who at the Super Bowl 44 Press Conference – interview

The concert itself has received mixed reviews. Clearly, Roger Daltrey has lost some notes off the top of his register and Pete Townshend isn’t quite as dynamic as he used to be, but this was a solid set delivered under unusual circumstances. Enjoy The Who at the Super Bowl below

The Who Super Bowl Halftime Show Part 1

The Who Super Bowl Halftime Show Part 2