My Generation – The Who – What’s On The Table
Let’s t-t-t-talk about “My Generation” …
Welcome to another episode of “What’s On The Table”. Brew yourself a nice British cup of tea, get comfy and join us for a little time-travel back to London in 1965, when The Who released their very first album “My Generation”.
Is this record part of your own collection? Did you get it when it first came out? Have you ever been to a ‘The Who’ live-show? Feel free to share your thoughts, memories and stories in the comments below ♥
Mona & Lisa
Back in the ’80s there was a little AM station in the town I live in which played oldies, and they ran a contest. They would take the 10th caller for 2 free tickets to see The Who.
So I called them, and they said “You’re caller number 1!!” and they hung up. Well, redial is a wonderful thing, and I was also caller number 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, and won the 2 tickets. I am not making this up. I guess there weren’t too many people listening that day.
Long before that, when I was pretty young, maybe1970, I came home one day and there was a double album on top of the stereo that said “Tommy the who” on it. I had no idea what it was — I thought the album was titled Tommy the who.
This was great. One of only 2 bands in this series I’ve actually seen live.
Mona, I thought you were really letting it all out watching you channel your inner John Lennon. Then I saw you sing My Generation. lol. You guys were rocking out. No wonder Townshend likes it.
Mona, your own vocals to “My Generation” at the Cavern Club was pure gold! The Who would be pleased and proud!
I saw The Who (1980) in Salt Lake City when I was seventeen. I liked some of their music but wasn’t a huge fan. An incredibly handsome boy asked me on a date and I probably spent more time looking at him. It was a great show though.
Great choice, my ladies ! Roger Daltrey really is one of the greatest singers in rock. My favorite Who album is “Who´s Next” but they have many great albums in their catalog, including this first one and also their latest one called simply “Who” (2019). It´s almost a miracle that after so may years (and many mediocre albums) they made the album that can stand with their bests. The Ox was by the way John Entwistle´s nickname !
“Are you a Mod or a Rocker?” “I’m a Mocker” I saw the group in the late ’80s on their “Farewell Tour”. I don’t believe it was their first farewell tour (and probably not their last). Guess they just couldn’t stay away.
That was a great choice for your first big concert. And Pino was on bass!
In some circles you can mention his name and a lot of eye brows raise to say,”Huh?” When you mention Pino Palladino in the kool circles, everyone sighs,”Ah…Pino…”.
I first heard him on David Gilmour’s solo album “About Face” 1984. His fretless playing is amazing. And he is a lot of fun to watch. He also worked on Pete’s solo album “White City” and countless other artists.
Thanks for another great WOTT
JP
My Who story from a previous post last year:
June 1989 (age 24) I get a call from my dad to say he just heard tickets go on sale in 20 minutes for The Who at the Glens Falls Civic Center. It was basically a rehearsal show for one of their farewell tours. They kept it a secret up until the last minute, no internet back then. The arena was a 4,000 seat hockey arena with terrible acoustics. We we’re young, it was The Who …in our tiny town
So it was a 5 minute walk to the ticket window, and it was only about a 20 minute wait for 10th row floor. Limit 4 seats per person. And then count the days till showtime.
I remember it was loud, and I remember getting excited when they played Pete’s song “Give Blood”. They played most of their hits. I was just looking over the set list and I don’t remember it being that long of a show, but apparently it was. Like I said, we were young, it was The Who.
Years later Roger Daltrey was doing a tour with a symphony. The tour used local musicians for the orchestra. My friend, by way of the local musicians union was to play bass. He needed a black shirt to wear for the performance. I had a black shirt and we wore the same size.
That show was fantastic. I remember “Reign O’r Me” as a standout for me. Roger does that one so well and backed with an orchestra it is even more powerful. As we watched, I occasionally leaned over to my date and pointed out my shirt. Come to think of it, I don’t think he ever returned the shirt.
I guess my two cents is that the Who were a good studio band but an awesome live band. Ladies thanks for taking an interest in the classics and keeping memories alive.
Hello Dear Twins!
Your appreciation of The Who shows your excellent taste in music. Who’s Next is one of the 10 greatest albums ever made. I had tickets to the unfortunate Cincinnati concert but had to sell them as I could not get off work to go. That is my Who story. While I love your covets off The Who, please don’t smash any of your beautiful instruments a la Pete Townsend????. I don’t want my subscription to MLT Club to go up to replace them????. Stay Groovy , and you are the grooviest.
Tim Johnston
I was in the US Navy in 1981, stationed on a ship in Norfolk, Virginia. The Who were playing in Hampton, just across the bay from where I was. Strangely, I couldn’t find anyone that wanted to go, so off I went on my own. Kenney Jones was on drums at that time. The music was fantastic, of course, but one thing I remember was the word WHO in giant white spotlights, and near the end of the show the O would spin and tumble on a gimbal, lighting up the crowd. It was a great touch.
I think Mona hits on something when she mentions all these musicians sitting in with one another during this time. There may have been rivalries, but mostly it was about this still evolving thing called rock and roll, and that The Who would be in the thick of it is hardly surprising. Wouldn’t it be cool to sit down with half a dozen of these guys and just listen to them reminisce?
You started this one with us knowing the drill, so I’m guessing you do, too, but I’m a polite little MLT Club member, so thank you, again, for the best feature ever: What’s On The Table.
I seem to remember that my “Who” experience was in 1969 (during my gap year) at Fillmore West – the San Francisco venue run by Bill Grahame (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fillmore_West). What was awesome was that the concert hall was an open space rather than having fixed seats, so you could wander around and mix with other groovy people during the concert. Tremendous energy and, without pre-recorded backing tracks etc, amazing to hear what a 3-piece band could achieve in a live performance.
So good that you’ve been able to link up with legends such as John Sebastian and now Pete Townsend. Living the dream, ladies!
Mona and Lisa thank you so much for this edition of Whats On The Table! I got into the Who in 1971 with the album of Whos Next and We won’t get fooled again. But then went back and found how great their music was in the early days to Tommy etc….So glad you covered a couple of their songs, and glad you don’t smash your equipment like the Who did….LOL….. I always learn something with each edition of Whats on the table and this one I learned that they did a James Brown cover. How cool is that? But thank you again and can’t wait for the next What’s on the table!
Bill and Maddie Isenberg Huge Fans from Pittsburgh Pa USA
I never did follow The Who closely, but “My Generation” is one of my favorites in your “Live at the Cavern Club” videos. The Beatles were my favorite group in my teens, but I really got into rock music in the late 60’s through 1970 in the army. Boredom brought many of us from different backgrounds together to just kick back and enjoy music. Creedence Clearwater Revival was one of our favorite bands, and your cover of “Proud Mary” on your first album brought back memories when I first heard it. How about a “What’s on the Table” of CCR?
Loved hearing your story of the Who concert experience in Australia when you were only 14. Wow, the Who would be tough to beat for one of your very first live performance experiences.
I think as a rock and roll lead singer, Roger Daltrey has one of the finest vocals. What a breath taking range he can cover. For example on “Love Reign o’er Me” wow!. So awesome to hear of Pete Townsend appreciating your music! What an endorsement from one of the great icons of rock and roll. My only Who album was one of their greatest hits albums I had on cassette in the 80s I really enjoyed. I had about half a dozen greatest hits albums I really loved from those times, and the Who was one of them.
Yeah, Keith Moon is awesome, what a fun character, and great band mate the Who was so fortunate to have. Love him in this video where he drums and sings and the band’s kidding around, and some nice guitar work by Pete Townsend as he jams out with Keith Moon.
This was so fun and informative, as all your WOTTs are, thanks so much, really enjoyed it! 🙂
Besides putting a strat behind your head or chewing and lighting your strings on fire like Hendrix every guitarist I knew wanted to be like Townsend, the way he would make that guitar wail…So So Cool, and every drummer wanted to be like Moonie but couldn’t afford it. When they came to Denver in 1970, we went yo Mammoth Gardens and had a blast, I was so so ? Young! Moonie did what he always did, Bang, Bang, Bang and drums flying!!!!!!! Groovy!!!! Thank you Ladies, always the Coolest!
I did see The Who in the early 80’s. Unfortunately without the late great Keith Moon. Kenny Jones from the Faces played drums that night. mid nineties I saw Entwistle play with Ringos All Star Band at the Mall of America.
Thank you for another What’s on The Table.
Hi, Ladies! I’ve been a fan of The Who since long before you were born. Never got to see them in concert, but have a few cds and since my renewed interest in vinyl, have acquired a few of their lps, but not their debut album, yet. I find my taste in music runs very nearly parallel with your own, made more noticeable by these awesome WOTT sessions. I love seeing the joy music brings you; truly a uniting force, especially among you and the club members. Thanks so much for all the ways you make us feel like an important part of your lives. Almost forgot….I’m not sure why, but I find your “boops” (especially nose to nose, but even nose to shoulder) adorable!
I saw them in 1971 where I also went to hockey games in Dayton, Ohio. “Baba O’Reilly”, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”…Yep. They joined arms for the traditional kick line salute at the close. I feel lucky to have seen them at full power so to speak, and in a smaller arena, as a teenager. It was the best show I ever saw because nobody ever played like those guys. Thanks for choosing their first album because I never actually heard it, just the many later ones. The first concert I ever saw was Steppenwolf at the same arena. A fine band, but not in the same league for showmanship, like. you said.
The World is Alright. Flowers blossom and the heart blooms. I turn my collar to the folks on the hill, because love is all we need and there’s nothing to pretend.
These videos really make my heart bloom. There is so much love among the sisters, which truly lifts me up.
On the Who’s On The Table, I had not noticed what a big influence James Brown was to them. Growing up I had a greatest hits album of them and always saw them in context of The Beatles. This certainly puts them in new light for me.
Thank you!
Tomás
Watching and listening to you is always just so a-a-a-awesome! I’ve come to know that if an artist or group is on your favorite list, it is also on mine. Weird but true. Loved your stories and joy in re-living early experiences. I never got to see the Who in person. I pray I won’t always have to say the same about MLT. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Mona and Lisa. I do not have any albums and I never saw them live. Saw them on the Woodstock film. We did a Who medley, I’m Free-Pinball Wizard-Listening To You, that always went over well. They were a very fun band!
It;s been part of my collection for many,many years.I have seen The Who a few times,most memorable show was Shea Stadium(New York Dolls & The Clash opened).
Everyone one I play your versions of The Kids Are Alright & My Generation for,Absolutely love them.You ladies never disappoint.
.I was just wondering when we were getting to get the next What’s on the Table,and BOOM!! You deliver!!
And Thank You for the Birthday wishes,made the day all the more special.
Love and Hugs!!
Tom
Hello Ladies,
Once again you select one of the all time classic Albums to discuss. The Who is a staple point of the 60s.
Your covers really do the originals justice.
WOW! To have one of your covers on the Who Official Website has to be a surreal feeling.????
I dont have any albums, nor was I allowed to listen “to such trash” as my dad would put it. What did he know.
Pinball Wizard was their first song that grabbed my attention! Especially when Sir Elton John covered it.
Thanks for bringing back a few of their songs and renewing those feelings again.
Best always
Rick Ross
I believe my 2nd oldest bro has this in his massive album-vinyl collection and growing up, I had definitely listened to The Who stuff through him, we have similar music tastes. Yes, I’ve heard many Keith Moon stories, one that is interesting, he passed away in the same flat as Cass Elliot had, what is it about that flat in particular !?…
Another fine fab episode of “WOTT”, enjoyed immensely, Thankyou for doing this, made my Friday/ Wknd off to a Groovy Start ????☮..I do hope eventually you can meet up with Pete Townsend… I just loved his guitar smashing antics !!
Hi M&L. I do have this album, and as you say, it is a classic. I have seen the Who live many times, but the first time was at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970. I notice that you have mentioned the Woodstock festival elsewhere, but the 1970 IoW festival was pretty much the British Woodstock. Many of the acts you have covered were on the bill. Apart from the Who, there were the Doors, Joni Mitchell, Donovan, John Sebastian (he must have mentioned it to you!), and many others, including Jethro Tull (I noticed them in your vinyl collection) and Jimi Hendrix. There is a film of the event, titled “Message To Love”. Also the Who’s entire performance is on DVD. As for the Who, it was the original line-up, and at the peak of their powers at this time.
While we were a few hundred yards from the stage for that show, I saw them again a couple of months later, this time at the Hammersmith Palais in London. This is a small dancehall, but as it was one of their early regular places to play, and most of the band were from that area, it was a kind of homecoming gig for them. But in that small space, and with their stage act, they just exploded right in our faces!
At close range, I could see that when Keith Moon threw a drumstick in the air, he often didn’t actually catch it! But he had a stack of sticks (a stick-stack?) next to him, and simply grabbed another without missing a beat.
My favourite Who album is Who’s Next, but that’s another story. Don’t go smashing any guitars now!!
I was also at the Isle of Wight 1970. As you say a fantastic line up. Unfortunately I slept through the Who but my mate told me they were excellent!
PS I saw them at Glastonbury not long ago and they were as good as ever. And I was awake that time.
Well, they were on at 2am-4am, so I don’t blame you!
Great! I love The Who! Very interesting. As old as I am and as much as I’ve heard and read about, I heard a couple of cool new stories that I can’t wait to share with my brother and nephew. Our nephew lives in Florida and used to live in Tampa. One year we went to a Who concert in Orlando. It was fantastic. What a show. I bought the only thing I could afford… a bandana. But, I didn’t care. I got to see The Who live and it was incredible.
Great review girls. I just missed out on a ticket when the Who first toured my country in 1968. However, my best mate from High School was fortunate enough to see them. They were on a touring ticket that also included The Kinks, The Small Faces and Paul Jones, formerly of Manfred Mann. My mate was expecting The Small Faces to be the best but said the Who were the best by far.
In 1972 when I bought my first new car, it had a cassette player, and the first cassettes I bought were one with Beatles’ hits and the other was “The Best Of The Who” and included “My Generation”, “The Kids Are Alright”, “Happy Jack”, “I’m A Boy” and “I can See For Miles”, among others. That cassette got quite a workout.
I absolutely love your cover of “The Kids Are Alright” and your live version of “My Generation.” Good to see you both in such high spirits at this difficult time for everyone. I am currently in hotel quarantine after crossing the border to get home from a house sit where I was looking after a lovely little dog for six weeks while her owners were in New Zealand.
So glad to hear you got to see The Who while you were in Adelaide. You didn’t look daggy at all, just typical teenagers having fun. I was one myself once, believe it or not.
Take care!
Still riding these days? Temps must be pleasant these days there.
It’s been weeks since I’ve been able to ride anywhere. I flew to Sydney where I walked everywhere with Maddie, the dog I was looking after for six weeks. The house I was minding was in an area within walking distance of many cafes, hotels and other venues. I needed the exercise! As Sydney went into lockdown during my third week there, I had to go into forced Hotel quarantine when I landed home in Brisbane. I have one week to go, The photo is of Maddie.
Sounded like a good time in Sydney, except for the quarantining part back home. Maddie looks adorable, hope Lord Luca did not get jealous.
Maddie was adorable and never apart from me. Followed me everywhere and when I woke up in the mornings, she would be curled up beside my head. Fortunately Lord Luca doesn’t know about Maddie and he is being well looked after by my neighbours.
The photo is of Luca with the neighbours.
Sounds like you made friends for life with Maddie. Nice to see Luca!. Thanks for sharing the photos Howard!