The English rock band the Who was formed in London in 1964. The original drummer Doug Sandom was fairly quickly replaced by Keith Moon, which completed the now classic the Who lineup:

  • Pete Townshend (guitarist and singer)
  • Roger Daltrey (lead singer)
  • John Entwistle (bass guitarist and singer)
  • Keith Moon (drummer)

The Who has managed to attain a combination of both mainstream success and excellent reviews from picky critics, and are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century. Many of their songs are still in heavy rotation on radio stations around the world, and also used in films and tv-series.

Examples of well-known songs by the Who:

  • “I Can’t Explain”
  • “My Generation”
  • “The Kids Are Alright”
  • “Substitute”
  • “Happy Jack”
  • “Pictures of Lily”
  • “I Can See for Miles”
  • “Magic Bus” – 3:16
  • “Pinball Wizard” – 3:02
  • “Behind Blue Eyes” – 3:43
  • “Baba O’Riley”  (sometimes incorrectly referred to as Teenage Wasteland)
  • “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
  • “Love, Reign o’er Me”
  • “Squeeze Box”
  • “Who Are You”
  • “You Better You Bet”
  • “Eminence Front”

Never afraid of trying something different, the Who has sold over 100 million records worldwide despite – or because of – embracing projects such as a rock opera about a blind, deaf and mute boy in England who becomes a pinball champion and starts his own religious cult.

The long list of the Who´s contributions to the world of music does not only include the music they created, as they were also instrumental for equipment development, e.g. the Marshall Stack and the use of large PA systems.

While not inventing the synthesizer, the Who helped bring it into mainstream fame, and is an acknowledged source of inspiration for synthesizer musicians active in a wide range of genres. Entwistle and Moon´s playing styles on their respective instruments have also been a great influence for 20th and 21st century rock musicians, as have Townshend´s feedback and power chord guitar technique.

Short facts about the Who

Origin: London, England, UK

Genres: Rock, hard rock, progressive rock, power pop

Years active: 1964-1984, 1985, 1988-1991, 1996-1997, 1999 – present

Labels: Brunswick, Reaction, Track, Polydor, Decca, Virgin, MCA, Warner Bros., Universal Republic, Geffen, Atco

Past and present members of The Who

Current members (as of 2022)

  • Roger Daltrey – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, percussion (1964–1983, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1996–present)
  • Pete Townshend – lead and rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals, keyboards (1964–1983, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1996–present)

Former members

  • Doug Sandom – drums (1964; died 2019)
  • Keith Moon – drums, backing and lead vocals (1964–1978; died 1978)
  • Kenney Jones – drums (1978–1983, 1985, 1988, 2014)
  • John Entwistle – bass guitar, horns, backing and lead vocals (1964–1983, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1996–2002; died 2002)

Touring members and musicians (as of 2022)

Throughout the years, The Who has employed numerous touring musicians and also had touring members.

These are the current touring members:

  • Billy Nicholls – backing vocals (1989, 1996–1997, 2019–present)
  • Zak Starkey – drums, percussion (1996–present)
  • Simon Townshend – guitar, backing vocals (1996–1997, 2002–present)
  • Loren Gold – keyboards, backing vocals (2012–present)
  • Jon Button – bass guitar (2017–present)

Examples of past touring members and musicians:

  • John “Rabbit” Bundrick – keyboards (1979–1981, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1996–2011)
  • Reg Brooks – trombone (1979–1980)
  • David Caswell – trumpet (1979–1980)
  • Howie Casey – saxophone (1979–1980)
  • Dick Parry – saxophone (1979–1980)
  • Tim Gorman – keyboards (1982)
  • Simon Phillips – drums (1989)
  • Steve Bolton – rhythm and lead guitars (1989)
  • Jody Linscott – percussion (1989, 1996–1997)
  • Simon Clarke – saxophone (1989)
  • Roddy Lorimer – trumpet (1989)
  • Simon Gardner – trumpet (1989, 1996–1997)
  • Neil Sidwell – trombone (1989, 1996–1997)
  • Tim Sanders – saxophone (1989)
  • Chyna Gordon – backing vocals (1989)
  • Cleveland Watkiss – backing vocals (1989)
  • Jon Carin – keyboards (1996–1997)
  • Dennis Farias – horn section (1996–1997)
  • Nick Lane – horn section (1996–1997)
  • Roy Wiegand – horn section (1996–1997)
  • Pino Palladino – bass (2002–2016)
  • Frank Simes – keyboards, backing vocals (2012–2017)
  • John Corey – keyboards, backing vocals (2012–2017)
  • J. Greg Miller – brass (2012–2013)
  • Reggie Grisham – brass (2012–2013)
  • Scott Devours – drums (2013)