The Kids Are Alright
The Who. Just say the words and visuals leap to mind. Pete Townshend, jumping with legs spread wide, right arm flailing in a windmill blur as it crashes onto the strings of his guitar. Roger Daltrey, wailing proud and looking regal on the Woodstock stage, curled golden mane cascading onto his fringe vest. Keith Moon, sweat spraying, eyes possessed, drumsticks flying into the air And John Entwistle, the Ox, solidifying the mayhem with his bass -- sturdy, silent, and true.
Of the original British Invasion triumvirate of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Who, it is, in the end, the Who that best embodied the naked emotions of the baby boomers -- their strengths and weaknesses, their promises and failures. The band's music helped define the experiences of an entire generation. The Who understood that, to the kids in their audience, rock was more than just music -- it was a way of life, a guide, a survival tool. The Who stood for integrity and intellectualism, self-determination and defiance. And attitude -- lots and lots of attitude.
More than anything, though, the Who stands for the undeniable power of rock 'n' roll.
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