The Who

The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964, known for forceful performances, “My Generation,” and the rock opera Tommy.

Pete Townshend: An English guitarist, songwriter, and singer best known as the Who’s principal composer. His songwriting and guitar work shaped the band’s sound and concept albums.
My Generation: A 1965 Who song associated with youthful alienation and a stuttering vocal delivery. Its rebellious voice became one of the band’s enduring signatures.
Guitar smashing: The deliberate destruction of a guitar as part of a live performance. Pete Townshend made it a conspicuous part of the Who’s stage image.
The Detours: A London rock group that preceded the Who and included Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey. The band’s early history began under this name before its 1964 rebranding.
Rock music: A broad popular-music genre that developed from rhythm and blues, country, and related styles. The Who helped expand rock’s sound and ambitions during the 1960s and 1970s.
Roger Daltrey: An English singer and actor who has been the Who’s lead vocalist since its early years. His powerful lead vocals became a defining feature of the band’s performances.
Tommy: A 1969 rock opera by the Who about a deaf, blind, and mute boy who becomes a spiritual figure. The album established the band’s large-scale narrative approach to rock.
Feedback: A sustained sound produced when an amplified signal loops back into its input. Townshend used controlled feedback to make the band’s guitar sound more abrasive.
Mod subculture: A British youth subculture that developed in the late 1950s and emphasized modern fashion and music. The Who’s early audience and style were closely tied to London’s mod scene.
Concept album: An album whose songs are organized around a shared theme, story, or musical idea. The Who’s narrative albums helped establish this format in rock.

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