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{{Short description|English rock band}}
{{About|the English rock band|other uses|Who (disambiguation){{!}}Who}}
{{Distinguish|The Hu|World Health Organization}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = The Who
| image             = Who - 1975.jpg
| landscape         = yes
| caption           = The Who in 1975. From left to right: [[Roger Daltrey]] (vocals), [[John Entwistle]] (bass), [[Keith Moon]] (drums) and [[Pete Townshend]] (guitar).
| alt               = The Who on stage, standing and waving to a crowd
| background        = group_or_band
| alias             = {{hlist|The Detours|The High Numbers}}
| origin            = [[London]], England
| genre             = {{flatlist| <!-- PLEASE DO NOT change this without discussion on the talk page otherwise your edit may be reverted -->
* [[Rock music|Rock]]
* [[hard rock]]
* {{nowrap|[[power pop]]}}
}}
| works             = [[The Who discography|Discography]]
| years_active      = {{flatlist|
* 1964–1983{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=66,524}}
* 1985
* 1988–1989
* 1991
* 1996–present
}}
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[Brunswick Records|Brunswick]]
* [[Reaction Records|Reaction]]
* [[Track Records|Track]]
* [[Polydor Records|Polydor]]
* [[Decca Records|Decca]]
* [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]
* [[MCA Records|MCA]]
* [[Warner Records|Warner Bros.]]
* [[Universal Republic]]
* [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
* [[Atco Records|Atco]]
}}
| website           = {{URL|thewho.com}}
| current_members   = <!-- Note: John Bundrick, Zak Starkey, Simon Townshend and Pino Palladino are not official members of the Who. They are members of the Who's current touring band. Do not add them here. -->{{plainlist|
* [[Roger Daltrey]]
* [[Pete Townshend]]
}}
| past_members      = <!-- The Who's personnel page does not list members of the Detours as members of "The Who". Unless this is changed, Colin Dawson, Scot Halpin and Gabby Connolly should not be included here. -->{{plainlist|
* [[John Entwistle]]
* [[Doug Sandom]]
* [[Keith Moon]]
* [[Kenney Jones]]}}
}}
'''The Who''' are<!-- "are" (and other plural being verbs) is used for British English --> an English [[Rock music|rock]] band formed in [[London]] in 196<!-- The 1964 vs 1962 distinction is discussed in detail in the history section -->4. Their classic lineup (1964–1978) consisted of lead vocalist [[Roger Daltrey]], guitarist [[Pete Townshend]], bassist [[John Entwistle]], and drummer [[Keith Moon]]. Considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century, their contributions to rock music include the development of the [[Marshall stack]], large [[public address system]]s, the use of [[synthesiser]]s, Entwistle's and Moon's influential playing styles, Townshend's [[Guitar feedback|feedback]] and [[power chord]] guitar technique, and the development of the [[rock opera]]. They are cited as an influence by many bands, particularly those in the [[hard rock]], [[punk rock|punk]], [[power pop]] and [[mod (subculture)|mod]] genres. The group were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1990.

The Who evolved from an earlier group, the Detours, and established themselves as part of the [[pop art]] and [[mod (subculture)|mod movements]], featuring [[auto-destructive art]] by [[Instrument destruction|destroying guitars and drums]] on stage. Their first single as the Who, "[[I Can't Explain]]" (1964), reached the UK top&nbsp;ten, and was followed by a string of hit singles including "[[Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere]]", "[[My Generation]]" (both 1965), "[[Substitute (The Who song)|Substitute]]", "[[I'm a Boy]]", "[[Happy Jack (song)|Happy Jack]]" (all 1966) and "[[Pictures of Lily]]" (1967). In 1967, they performed at the [[Monterey Pop Festival]] and released "[[I Can See for Miles]]", their only US top ten single. The group's 1969 [[concept album]] ''[[Tommy (The Who album)|Tommy]]'' included the single "[[Pinball Wizard]]" and was a critical and commercial success.

Further festival appearances at [[Woodstock]] and the [[Isle of Wight Festival|Isle of Wight]], along with the concert album ''[[Live at Leeds]]'' (1970), established their reputation as a respected rock act. The success put pressure on lead songwriter Townshend, and the follow-up to ''Tommy'', ''[[Lifehouse (rock opera)|Lifehouse]]'', was abandoned. Songs from the project made up the album ''[[Who's Next]]'' (1971), including the hits "[[Won't Get Fooled Again]]", "[[Baba O'Riley]]", and "[[Behind Blue Eyes]]". The group released another concept album, ''[[Quadrophenia]]'' (1973), as a celebration of their mod roots, and oversaw the [[Tommy (1975 film)|film adaptation of ''Tommy'']] (1975). Following the release of ''[[The Who by Numbers]]'' (1975), they continued to tour to large audiences before semi-retiring from live performances at the end of 1976. The release of ''[[Who Are You]]'' (1978) was overshadowed by Moon's death shortly after.

Former [[Small Faces]] and [[Faces (band)|Faces]] drummer [[Kenney Jones]] replaced Moon, and the group resumed touring. In 1979, they released a [[Quadrophenia (film)|film adaptation of ''Quadrophenia'']] and the retrospective [[rockumentary]] ''[[The Kids Are Alright (1979 film)|The Kids Are Alright]]''. The early 1980s brought two more albums, ''[[Face Dances]]'' (1981) and ''[[It's Hard]]'' (1982), and more successful world tours, though Townshend became weary of the group during this time, and they officially split in 1983. The Who occasionally re-formed for live appearances such as [[Live Aid]] in 1985, a 25th-anniversary tour in 1989 with [[Simon Phillips (drummer)|Simon Phillips]] on drums, and a tour of ''Quadrophenia'' during 1996–1997 with [[Zak Starkey]] on drums. A full-time reunion began in 1999, with Starkey as drummer. After Entwistle's death in 2002, plans for a new album were delayed until 2006, when ''[[Endless Wire (The Who album)|Endless Wire]]'' was released. Since Entwistle's death, the Who have continued to perform and tour officially as a duo of Daltrey and Townshend, augmented by various other musicians. Their twelfth album, [[Who (album)|''Who'']], was released in 2019 and was supported by additional touring. In 2025, the band conducted their final tour, entitled The Song Is Over North American Farewell Tour.<ref name="Greene-2025">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-who-song-is-over-farewell-tour-1235333873/|title=The Who Announce 'The Song Is Over' North American Farewell Tour|first=Andy|last=Greene|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=8 May 2025|access-date=8 May 2025}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Background ===
[[File:TVU Campus St Marys Road.jpg|thumb|[[Pete Townshend]] attended [[Ealing Art College]] in west London (pictured in 2010), and his experience there contributed to the Who's career.|alt=Photograph of Ealing Art College in 2010]]

The founding members of the Who, [[Roger Daltrey]], [[Pete Townshend]] and [[John Entwistle]], grew up in [[Acton, London]] and attended [[Acton County Grammar School]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=13, 19, 24}} Townshend's father, [[Cliff Townshend|Cliff]], played saxophone and his mother, Betty, had sung in the entertainment division of the [[Royal Air Force]] during World War II, and both supported their son's interest in [[rock and roll]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=15–16}} Townshend and Entwistle became friends in their second year of Acton County, and formed a [[trad jazz]] group;{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=26}} Entwistle also played [[French horn]] in the Middlesex Schools' Symphony Orchestra. Both were interested in rock, and Townshend particularly admired [[Cliff Richard]]'s début single, "[[Move It]]".{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=17}} Entwistle moved to guitar, but struggled with it due to his large fingers, and moved to bass on hearing the guitar work of [[Duane Eddy]]. He was unable to afford a bass and built one at home.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=29}}{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=17}} After Acton County, Townshend attended [[Ealing Art College]],{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=20}} a move he later described as profoundly influential on the course of the Who.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=22}}

Daltrey, who was in the year above, had moved to Acton from [[Shepherd's Bush]], a more working-class area. He had trouble fitting in at the school, and discovered gangs and rock and roll.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=14}} He was expelled at 15 and found work on a building site.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=11}} In 1959 he started the Detours, the band that was to evolve into the Who. The band played professional gigs, such as corporate and wedding functions, and Daltrey kept a close eye on the finances as well as the music.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=31}}

Daltrey spotted Entwistle by chance on the street carrying a bass and recruited him into the Detours.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=18}} In mid-1961, Entwistle suggested Townshend as a guitarist,{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=18}} Daltrey on rhythm guitar, Entwistle on bass, Harry Wilson on drums, and Colin Dawson on vocals. The band played instrumentals by [[the Shadows]] and [[the Ventures]], and a variety of pop and trad jazz covers.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=19}} Daltrey was considered the leader and, according to Townshend, "ran things the way he wanted them".{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=22}} Wilson was fired in mid-1962 and replaced by [[Doug Sandom]], though he was older than the rest of the band, married, and a more proficient musician, having been playing semi-professionally for two years.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=19–20}}

Dawson left after frequently arguing with Daltrey{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=22}} and was briefly replaced by Gabby Connolly, before Daltrey moved to lead vocals. Townshend, with Entwistle's encouragement, became the sole guitarist. Through Townshend's mother, the group obtained a management contract with local promoter Robert Druce,{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=21}} who started booking the band as a support act. The Detours were influenced by the bands they supported, including [[Screaming Lord Sutch]], [[Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers]], [[Shane Fenton and the Fentones]], and [[Johnny Kidd and the Pirates]]. The Detours were particularly interested in the Pirates as they also only had one guitarist, [[Mick Green]], who inspired Townshend to combine rhythm and lead guitar in his style. Entwistle's bass became more of a lead instrument,{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=24}} playing melodies.{{sfn|Atkins|2000|p=65}} In February 1964, the Detours became aware of the group Johnny Devlin and the Detours, and changed their name.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=26}} Townshend and his house-mate Richard Barnes spent a night considering names, focusing on a theme of joke announcements, including "No One" and "the Group". Townshend preferred "the Hair", and Barnes liked "the Who" because it "had a pop punch".{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=65}} Daltrey chose "the Who" the next morning.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=66}}

=== 1964–1978 ===
==== Early career ====
[[File:The Who blue plaque.jpg|thumb|left|Plaque at the Goldhawk Social Club in [[Shepherd's Bush]], London, marking early performances by The Who]]
By the time the Detours had become The Who, they had already found regular gigs, including at the Oldfield Hotel in Greenford, the White Hart Hotel in Acton, the Goldhawk Social Club in Shepherd's Bush, and the Notre Dame Hall in Leicester Square.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=68}} They had also replaced Druce as manager with Helmut Gorden, with whom they secured an audition with Chris Parmeinter for [[Fontana Records]].{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=70}} Parmeinter found problems with the drumming and, according to Sandom, Townshend immediately turned on him and threatened to fire him if his playing did not immediately improve. Sandom left in disgust, but was persuaded to lend his kit to any potential stand-ins or replacements. Sandom and Townshend did not speak to each other again for 14 years.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=78–79}}

During a gig with a stand-in drummer in late April at the Oldfield, the band first met Keith Moon. Moon grew up in [[Wembley]], and had been drumming in bands since 1961.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=29}} He was performing with a semi-professional band called the Beachcombers, and wanted to play full-time.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=80}} Moon played a few songs with the group, breaking a bass drum pedal and tearing a drum skin. The band were impressed with his energy and enthusiasm, and offered him the job.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=73}} Moon performed with the Beachcombers a few more times, but dates clashed and he chose to devote himself to the Who. The Beachcombers auditioned Sandom, but were unimpressed and did not ask him to join.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|pp=80–81}}

[[File:Quadrophenia exhibit 2.jpg|alt=Several scooters on a display|thumb|The Who's aesthetic grew out of [[Mod (subculture)|mod subculture]] with its high fashion, scooters for transport, and shaggy hairstyles.]]
The Who changed managers to [[Peter Meaden]]. He decided that the group would be ideal to represent the growing [[mod (subculture)|mod]] movement in Britain which involved fashion, [[Scooter (motorcycle)|scooters]] and music genres such as [[rhythm and blues]], [[soul music|soul]] and [[Bebop|modern jazz]]. He renamed the group the High Numbers, dressed them up in mod clothes,<ref name="eder">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-who-mn0000577627/biography|title=The Who&nbsp;– biography|first=Bruce|last=Eder|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=19 September 2013|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029052235/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-who-mn0000577627/biography|url-status=live}}</ref> secured a second, more favourable audition with Fontana and wrote the lyrics for both sides of their single "[[Zoot Suit/I'm the Face|Zoot Suit"/"I'm the Face]]" to appeal to mods. The tune for "Zoot Suit" was "Misery" by the [[The Dynamics|Dynamics]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Icons of Rock|date=October 2007|publisher=[[ABC-Clio]]|page=240|isbn=978-0-313-33845-8}}</ref> and "I'm the Face" borrowed from [[Slim Harpo]]'s "I Got Love If You Want It".{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|pp=91–92}} Although Meaden tried to promote the single, it failed to reach the top 50{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=54}} and the band reverted to calling themselves the Who.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=60}} The group{{spaced en dash}} none of whom played their instruments conventionally<ref name="The Secret Jewish History of The Who">{{cite web |url=https://forward.com/culture/music/434550/whos-jewish/ |title=The Secret Jewish History of The Who |last=Rogovoy |first=Seth |date=12 November 2019 |website=The Forward |access-date=12 November 2019 |archive-date=12 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112221943/https://forward.com/culture/music/434550/whos-jewish/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{spaced en dash}} began to improve their stage image; Daltrey started using his microphone cable as a [[whip]] on stage, and occasionally leapt into the crowd; Moon threw drumsticks into the air mid-beat; Townshend mimed machine-gunning the crowd with his guitar while jumping on stage and playing guitar with a fast arm-windmilling motion,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=120}} or stood with his arms aloft allowing his guitar to produce feedback in a posture dubbed "the Bird Man".{{sfn|DiPerna|1994|p=44}}

Meaden was replaced as manager by two filmmakers, [[Kit Lambert]] and [[Chris Stamp]]. They were looking for a young, unsigned rock group that they could make a film about,<ref name="kurutz">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kit-lambert-mn0000080966|title=Kit Lambert&nbsp;– Biography|first=Steve|last=Kurutz|website=AllMusic|access-date=19 September 2013|archive-date=27 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027183948/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kit-lambert-mn0000080966|url-status=live}}</ref> and had seen the band at the Railway Hotel in [[Wealdstone]], which had become a regular venue for them.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=55}}<ref>The Railway burned down in 2002 and became blocks of flats named after members of the band.{{PastScape|mnumber=1440043 |mname=THE RAILWAY HOTEL|access-date=25 August 2013}}</ref> Lambert related to Townshend and his art school background, and encouraged him to write songs.<ref name="kurutz" /> In August, Lambert and Stamp made a promotional film featuring the group and their audience at the Railway.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=56}} The band changed their set towards soul, [[rhythm and blues]] and [[Motown]] covers, and created the slogan "Maximum R&B".<ref name="eder" />

In June 1964, during a performance at the Railway, Townshend accidentally broke the head of his guitar on the low ceiling of the stage.<ref name="Railway Hotel">[https://web.archive.org/web/20121012001117/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/49292974/ns/today-books/t/who-i-am-rock-icon-pete-townshend-tells-his-story/ "'Who I Am': Rock icon Pete Townshend tells his story"] . MSNBC. Retrieved 23 November 2012</ref> Angered by the audience's laughter, he smashed the instrument on the stage, then picked up another guitar and continued the show. The following week, the audience were keen to see a repeat of the event. Moon obliged by kicking his drum kit over,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=125}} and [[auto-destructive art]] became a feature of the Who's live set.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=126}}

==== First singles and ''My Generation'' ====
[[File:The Who in 1965.png|left|thumb|Promotional shot of the Who, 1965]]
By late&nbsp;1964, the Who were becoming popular in London's [[Marquee Club]], and a rave review of their live act appeared in ''[[Melody Maker]]''.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=134}} Lambert and Stamp attracted the attention of the American producer [[Shel Talmy]], who had produced [[the Kinks]]. Townshend had written a song, "[[I Can't Explain]]", that deliberately sounded like the Kinks to attract Talmy's attention. Talmy saw the group in rehearsals and was impressed. He signed them to his production company,{{sfn|Howard|2004|pp=106–107}} and sold the recording to the US arm of [[Decca Records]], which meant that the group's early singles were released in Britain on [[Brunswick Records]], one of UK Decca's labels for US artists.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=151–152}} "I Can't Explain" was recorded in early November 1964 at Pye Studios in [[Marble Arch]] with [[The Ivy League (band)|the Ivy League]] on backing vocals, and [[Jimmy Page]] played [[fuzz guitar]] on the B-side, "Bald Headed Woman".{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=60}}

"I Can't Explain" became popular with [[pirate radio in the United Kingdom|pirate radio]] stations such as [[Radio Caroline]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=152}} Pirate radio was important for bands as there were no commercial radio stations in the UK and [[BBC Radio]] played little pop music.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=100}} The group gained further exposure when they appeared on the television programme ''[[Ready Steady Go!]]''<ref name="eder" /> Lambert and Stamp were tasked with finding "typical teens", and invited the group's regular audience from the Goldhawk Social Club.<ref name="carr">{{cite AV media notes|title=The Kids are Alright (soundtrack)|publisher=Polydor|year=1979|first=Roy|last=Carr}}</ref> Enthusiastic reception on television and regular airplay on pirate radio helped the single slowly climb the charts in early 1965 until it reached the top 10.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=419}} In early 1965, the Who made their first appearance on the television music show, ''[[Top of the Pops]]'', at the [[BBC]]'s [[Dickenson Road Studios]] in [[Manchester]], with "I Can't Explain".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Humphries |first1=Patrick |title=Top of the Pops 50th Anniversary |date=28 November 2013 |publisher=McNidder and Grace Limited |isbn=978-0-85716-063-8 |page=52 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tMscAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT52 |access-date=29 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

The follow-up single, "[[Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere]]", by Townshend and Daltrey,{{sfn|Howard|2004|pp=107–108}} features guitar noises such as [[Pick slide|pick sliding]], toggle switching{{sfn|Aledort|1994|p=58}} and [[audio feedback|feedback]], which was so unconventional that it was initially rejected by the US arm of Decca. The single reached the top&nbsp;10 in the UK{{sfn|Howard|2004|pp=107–108}} and was used as the theme song to ''Ready Steady Go!''{{sfn|Aledort|1994|p=57}}

The transition to a hit-making band with original material, encouraged by Lambert, did not sit well with Daltrey, and a recording session of R&B covers went unreleased.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=121}} The Who were not close friends either, apart from Moon and Entwistle, who enjoyed visiting nightclubs together in the [[West End of London]].{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=126}} The group experienced a difficult time when touring Denmark in September, which culminated in Daltrey throwing Moon's [[amphetamine]]s down the toilet and assaulting him. Immediately on returning to Britain, Daltrey was sacked,{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=93}} but was reinstated on the condition that the group became a democracy without his dominant leadership. At this time, the group enlisted [[Richard Cole]] as a roadie.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|pp=130–132}}
{{Listen|filename=My Generation sample.ogg|title="My Generation"|description="[[My Generation]]" includes the line "Hope I die before I get old".}}
The next single, "[[My Generation]]", followed in October. Townshend had written it as a slow blues, but after several abortive attempts, it was turned into a more powerful song with a bass solo from Entwistle. The song used gimmicks such as a vocal [[stutter]] to simulate the speech of a mod on [[amphetamines]], and two [[Modulation (music)|key changes]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=182}} Townshend insisted in interviews that the lyrics "Hope I die before I get old" were not meant to be taken literally.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=x}} Peaking at No.&nbsp;2, "My Generation" is the group's highest-charting single in the UK.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=419}} The debut album ''[[My Generation (album)|My Generation]]'' was released in late 1965. Among original material by Townshend, including the title track and "[[The Kids Are Alright (song)|The Kids Are Alright]]", the album has several [[James Brown]] covers from the session earlier that year that Daltrey favoured.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-who-sings-my-generation-mw0000020578|title=My Generation&nbsp;– review|first=Richie|last=Unterberger|website=AllMusic|access-date=19 September 2013|archive-date=3 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003191441/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-who-sings-my-generation-mw0000020578|url-status=live}}</ref>

After ''My Generation'', the Who fell out with Talmy, which meant an abrupt end to their recording contract.{{Sfn|Marsh|1983|p=199}} The resulting legal acrimony resulted in Talmy holding the rights to the master tapes, which prevented the album from being reissued until 2002.{{sfn|Howard|2004|p=108}} The Who were signed to [[Robert Stigwood]]'s label, Reaction, and released "[[Substitute (The Who song)|Substitute]]". Townshend said he wrote the song about identity crisis, and as a parody of [[the Rolling Stones]]'s "[[19th Nervous Breakdown]]". It was the first single to feature him playing an acoustic [[twelve-string guitar]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=200–201}} Talmy took legal action over the B-side, "[[Instant Party]]", and the single was withdrawn. A new B-side, "Waltz for a Pig", was recorded by [[the Graham Bond Organisation]] under the pseudonym "The Who Orchestra".{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=203}}

In 1966 the Who released "[[I'm a Boy]]", about a boy dressed as a girl, taken from an abortive collection of songs called ''Quads'';{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=217}} "[[Happy Jack (song)|Happy Jack]]";{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=109}} and an EP, ''[[Ready Steady Who]]'', that tied in with their regular appearances on ''Ready Steady Go!''{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=218}} The group continued to have conflict; on 20 May, Moon and Entwistle were late to a gig having been on the ''Ready Steady Go!'' set with [[the Beach Boys]]' [[Bruce Johnston]]. During "My Generation", Townshend attacked Moon with his guitar; Moon suffered a black eye and bruises, and he and Entwistle left the band, but changed their minds and rejoined a week later.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=160}} Moon kept looking for other work, and [[Jeff Beck]] had him play drums on his song "[[Beck's Bolero]]" (with Page, [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] and [[Nicky Hopkins]]) because he was "trying to get Keith out of the Who".{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=175}}

==== ''A Quick One'' and ''The Who Sell Out'' ====
[[File:Roger Daltrey -left and Keith Moon-right 1967.jpg|thumb|left|[[Roger Daltrey]] (left) and [[Keith Moon]], 1967|alt=Roger Daltrey and Keith Moon backstage in 1967]]

To alleviate financial pressure on the band, Lambert arranged a song-writing deal which required each member to write two songs for the next album. Entwistle contributed "[[Boris the Spider]]" and "Whiskey Man" and found a niche role as second songwriter.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=225}} The band found they needed to fill an extra ten minutes, and Lambert encouraged Townshend to write a longer piece, "[[A Quick One, While He's Away]]". The suite of song fragments is about a girl who has an affair while her lover is away, but is ultimately forgiven. The album was titled ''[[A Quick One]]''{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=227}} (''Happy Jack'' in the US),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-quick-one-happy-jack-mw0000197244|title=A Quick One (Happy Jack)|first=Ritchie|last=Unterberger|website=AllMusic|access-date=24 September 2013|archive-date=5 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905013151/http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-quick-one-happy-jack-mw0000197244|url-status=live}}</ref> and reached No.&nbsp;4 in the UK charts.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=229}} It was followed in 1967 by the UK Top 5 single "[[Pictures of Lily]]".{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=420}}

By 1966, ''Ready Steady Go!'' had ended, the mod movement was becoming unfashionable, and the Who found themselves in competition on the London circuit with groups including [[Cream (band)|Cream]] and [[the Jimi Hendrix Experience]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=239–240}} Lambert and Stamp realised that commercial success in the US was paramount to the group's future, and arranged a deal with promoter [[Frank Barsalona]] for a short package tour in New York.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=243}} The group's performances, which still involved smashing guitars and kicking over drums, were well received,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=247}} and led to their first major US appearance at the [[Monterey Pop Festival]]. The group, especially Moon, were not fond of the [[hippie]] movement, and thought their violent stage act would stand in sharp contrast to the peaceful atmosphere of the festival. Hendrix was also on the bill, and was also going to smash his guitar on stage. Townshend verbally abused Hendrix and accused him of stealing his act,{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=188}} and the pair argued about who should go on stage first, with the Who winning the argument.{{sfn|McMichael|Lyons|1998|p=223}} The Who brought hired equipment to the festival; Hendrix shipped over his regular touring gear from Britain, including a full [[Marshall stack]]. According to biographer [[Tony Fletcher]], Hendrix sounded "so much better than the Who it was embarrassing".{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=189}} The Who's appearance at Monterey gave them recognition in the US, and "Happy Jack" reached the top 30.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=189}}
[[File:The Who in 1967.jpg|thumb|The Who in 1967. From left: Moon, Entwistle, Daltrey, Townshend.]]
The group followed Monterey with a US tour supporting [[Herman's Hermits]].{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=189}} The Hermits were a straightforward pop band and enjoyed drugs and practical jokes. They bonded with Moon,{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=193}} who was excited to learn that [[cherry bomb]]s were legal to purchase in Alabama. Moon acquired a reputation of destroying hotel rooms while on tour,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=247}} with a particular interest in blowing up toilets. Entwistle said the first cherry bomb they tried "blew a hole in the suitcase ''and'' the chair".{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=194}} Moon recalled his first attempt to flush one down the toilet: "[A]ll that porcelain flying through the air was quite unforgettable. I never realised dynamite was so powerful".{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=194}} After a gig in [[Flint, Michigan]] on Moon's 21st birthday on 23 August 1967, the entourage caused $24,000 of damage at the hotel, and Moon knocked out one of his front teeth.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=197}} Daltrey later said that the tour brought the band closer, and as the support act, they could turn up and perform a short show without any major responsibilities.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=266}}

[[File:John Entwistle in 1967 with The Who.jpg|thumb|[[John Entwistle]] backstage in 1967|alt=John Entwistle backstage with a bass guitar]]
After the Hermits tour, the Who recorded their next single, "[[I Can See for Miles]]", which Townshend had written in 1966 but had avoided recording until he was sure it could be produced well.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=273}} Townshend called it "the ultimate Who record",{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=149}} and was disappointed it reached only No.&nbsp;10 in the UK.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=149}} It became their best selling single in the US, reaching No.&nbsp;9.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=420}} The group toured the US again with [[Eric Burdon and the Animals]], including an appearance on ''[[The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour]]'', miming to "I Can See For Miles" and "My Generation".{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=275}} Moon bribed a stage hand to put explosives in his drum kit, who loaded it with ten times the expected quantity. The resulting detonation threw Moon off his drum riser and his arm was cut by a flying piece of a cymbal. Townshend's hair was singed and his left ear left ringing, and a camera and studio monitor were destroyed.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=275–276}}

The next album was ''[[The Who Sell Out]]''{{spaced en dash}} a [[concept album]] parodying pirate radio, which had been outlawed in August 1967 by the [[Marine Broadcasting Offences Act 1967]]. It included humorous jingles and mock commercials between songs,{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=148–149}} a mini [[rock opera]] called "Rael", and "I Can See For Miles".{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=149}} The Who declared themselves a [[pop art]] group and thus viewed advertising as an artform; they recorded a wide variety of radio advertisements, such as for canned milkshakes and the [[American Cancer Society]], in defiance of the rising anti-consumerist ethos of the hippie counterculture.{{sfn|DiPerna|1994|pp=44, 47}} Townshend stated, "We don't change offstage. We live pop art".{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=67}} Later that year, Lambert and Stamp formed a record label, [[Track Records]], with distribution by [[Polydor]]. As well as signing Hendrix, Track became the imprint for all the Who's UK output until the mid-1970s.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=250}}

The group started 1968 by touring Australia and New Zealand with the [[Small Faces]].{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=196}} The groups had trouble with the local authorities and the ''New Zealand Truth'' called them "unwashed, foul-smelling, booze-swilling no-hopers".{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=293}}{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=180}} After an incident that took place on a flight to [[Sydney]], the band were briefly arrested in [[Melbourne]] and then forced to leave the country; [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] [[John Gorton]] sent a telegram to the Who telling them never to return to Australia.{{sfn|Townshend|2012|p=142}} The Who would not return to Australia again until 2004. They continued to tour across the US and Canada during the first half of the year.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=190}}

==== ''Tommy'', Woodstock, Isle of Wight and ''Live at Leeds'' ====
By 1968, the Who had started to attract attention in the [[underground press]].{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=191}} Townshend had stopped using drugs and became interested in the teachings of [[Meher Baba]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=294}} In August, he gave an interview to ''Rolling Stone'' editor [[Jann Wenner]] describing in detail the plot of a new album project and its relationship to Baba's teachings. The album went through several names during recording, including ''Deaf Dumb and Blind Boy'' and ''Amazing Journey''; Townshend settled on ''[[Tommy (The Who album)|Tommy]]''{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=317}} for the album about the life of a deaf, dumb and blind boy, and his attempt to communicate with others.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=314–315}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/petetownshend/articles/story/9306658/the_rolling_stone_interview_pete_townshend |title=The Rolling Stone Interview: Pete Townshend |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=28 September 1968 |first=Jann |last=Wenner |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401071039/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/petetownshend/articles/story/9306658/the_rolling_stone_interview_pete_townshend |archive-date=1 April 2009 |url-status=unfit }}</ref> Some songs, such as "Welcome" and "Amazing Journey", were inspired by Baba's teaching,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=320}} and others came from observations within the band. "Sally Simpson" is about a fan who tried to climb on stage at a gig by [[the Doors]] that they attended{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=316}} and "[[Pinball Wizard]]" was written so that ''New York Times'' journalist [[Nik Cohn]], a pinball enthusiast, would give the album a good review.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=221}} Townshend later said, "I wanted the story of ''Tommy'' to have several levels&nbsp;... a rock singles level and a bigger concept level", containing the spiritual message he wanted as well as being entertaining.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=318}} The album was projected for a Christmas 1968 release{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=318}} but recording stalled after Townshend decided to make a [[double album]] to cover the story in sufficient depth.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=323}}

By the end of the year, 18 months of touring had led to a well-rehearsed and tight live band, which was evident when they performed "A Quick One While He's Away" at ''[[The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus]]'' television special. The Stones considered their own performance lacklustre, and the project was never broadcast.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|pp=228–229}} The Who had not released an album in over a year, and had not completed the recording of ''Tommy'', which continued well into 1969, interspersed with gigs at weekends.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=324}} Lambert was a key figure in keeping the group focused and getting the album completed, and typed up a script to help them understand the story and how the songs fitted together.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=220}}

[[File:Roger-Daltrey in Hamburg.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|left|By the time the Who were touring ''[[Tommy (The Who album)|Tommy]]'', Daltrey's stage image had changed to include long hair and open shirts.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=344}}|alt=Roger Daltrey singing on stage]]
The album was released in May with the accompanying single, "Pinball Wizard", a debut performance at [[Ronnie Scott's]],{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=222}} and a [[Tommy Tour|tour]], playing most of the new album live.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=326}} ''Tommy'' sold 200,000 copies in the US in its first two weeks,{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=223}} and was a critical success, ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' saying, "for sheer power, invention and brilliance of performance, ''Tommy'' outstrips anything which has ever come out of a recording studio".<ref name="Sanctuary">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010522/http://www.sanctuarygroup.com/index.php?page=1&l1=6&l2=10&l3=0&getArticleId=466 The Who]. Sanctuary Group, Artist Management. Retrieved 3 January 2007.</ref> ''[[Melody Maker]]'' declared: "Surely the Who are now the band against which all others are to be judged".<ref name="The Who Kennedy Center">{{cite web|url=http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showIndividual&entity_id=20531&source_type=A|title=The Who Kennedy Center Honors|publisher=The Kennedy Center|access-date=24 November 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229191111/http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showIndividual&entity_id=20531&source_type=A|archive-date=29 December 2008}}</ref> Daltrey had significantly improved as a singer, and set a template for rock singers in the 1970s by growing his hair long and wearing open shirts on stage.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=344}} Townshend had taken to wearing a [[boiler suit]] and [[Doctor Martens]] shoes.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=344}}

In August, the Who performed at the [[Woodstock Festival]], despite being reluctant and demanding $13,000 up front.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=240}} Pete Townshend gave journalist [[Robert Christgau]] a ride to Woodstock.<ref name="x292">{{cite book |last=Gorman |first=Paul |title=In Their Own Write |date=2001 |publisher=Sanctuary Publishing |isbn=1-86074-341-2 |publication-place=London |page=122}}</ref> The group were scheduled to appear on Saturday night, 16 August,{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=237}} but the festival ran late and they did not take to the stage until 5{{nbsp}}am on Sunday;{{sfn|Evans|Kingsbury|2009|p=165}} they played most of ''Tommy''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Spitz|first=Bob|year=1979|title=Barefoot in Babylon: The Creation of the Woodstock Music Festival|publisher=W.W. Norton & Company|page=462|isbn=0-393-30644-5}}</ref> During their performance, [[Yippie]] leader [[Abbie Hoffman]] interrupted the set to give a political speech about the arrest of [[John Sinclair (poet)|John Sinclair]]; Townshend kicked him off stage,{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=240}} shouting: "Fuck off my fucking stage!"{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=224}}{{sfn|Evans|Kingsbury|2009|p=165}} During "[[See Me, Feel Me]]", the sun rose almost as if on cue;{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=241}} Entwistle later said, "God was our lighting man".{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=224}} At the end, Townshend threw his guitar into the audience.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=241}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/28847236/the_road_to_woodstock_the_stories_behind_rock_history/11 |title=The Who Cement Their Place in Rock History |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=25 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628010821/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/28847236/the_road_to_woodstock_the_stories_behind_rock_history/11 |archive-date=28 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The set was professionally recorded and filmed, and portions appear on [[Woodstock (film)|the ''Woodstock'' film]], ''[[The Old Grey Whistle Test]]'' and ''The Kids Are Alright''.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=238}} The Who were later critical of the festival: Roadie John "Wiggie" Wolff, who arranged the band's payment, described it as "a shambles"{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=237}}; Daltrey declared it as "the worst gig {{interp|they|original=we}} ever played"{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=350}}; and Townshend said, "I thought the whole of America had gone mad".{{sfn|Evans|Kingsbury|2009|p=165}} 

A more enjoyable appearance came a few weeks later at the 1969 [[Isle of Wight Festival 1969|Isle of Wight Festival]] in England, which Townshend described as "a great concert for" the band.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=240}} According to Townshend, at the end of the Isle of Wight gig the field was covered in rubbish left by fans (which the band's roadies helped to clear up), which inspired the line "teenage wasteland" from their single "[[Baba O'Riley]]".<ref>{{cite news |title=Come Together: The Rise of the Festival |url=https://www.sky.com/watch/title/programme/7da3e289-fca8-4900-aff7-7cf85fc5b1d5/come-together |access-date=7 June 2020 |agency=Sky Arts |date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607171227/https://www.sky.com/watch/title/programme/7da3e289-fca8-4900-aff7-7cf85fc5b1d5/come-together |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Thewho liveatleeds.jpg|thumb|Townshend and Daltrey unveiling a [[blue plaque]] at [[Leeds University]], where ''[[Live at Leeds]]'' was recorded in 1970|alt=Plaque at Leeds University]]
By 1970, the Who were widely considered one of the best and most popular live rock bands; [[Chris Charlesworth]] described their concerts as "leading to a kind of rock nirvana that most bands can only dream about". They decided a live album would help demonstrate how different the sound at their gigs was to ''Tommy'', and set about listening to the hours of recordings they had accumulated. Townshend baulked at the prospect of doing so, and demanded that all the tapes be burned. Instead, they booked two shows, one in [[Leeds]] on 14 February, and one in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] the following day, with the intention of recording a live album. Technical problems from the Hull gig resulted in the Leeds gig being used, which became ''[[Live at Leeds]]''.<ref name="charlesworth">{{cite AV media notes |title=Live At Leeds (1995 CD reissue)|others=The Who|year=1995|first=Chris|last=Charlesworth|type=CD|publisher=[[Polydor]]|id=527–169–2|p=5|location=UK}}</ref> The album is viewed by several critics including ''[[The Independent]]'',<ref name="Best Live Album">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/shake-rattle-and-roll-the-best-live-albums-of-all-time-2131327.html |title=Shake, rattle and roll!: The best live albums of all time |newspaper=The Independent |date=12 November 2010 |access-date=22 November 2012 |archive-date=14 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614194222/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/shake-rattle-and-roll-the-best-live-albums-of-all-time-2131327.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Independent">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/live-at-leeds-whos-best-481358.html |title=Live at Leeds: Who's best&nbsp;... |newspaper=The Independent |date=7 June 2006 |access-date=3 January 2007 |archive-date=16 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116173915/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/live-at-leeds-whos-best-481358.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]''<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3653281/Hope-I-dont-have-a-heart-attack.html |title=Hope I don't have a heart attack |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=22 June 2006 |access-date=3 January 2007 |archive-date=4 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604043446/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3653281/Hope-I-dont-have-a-heart-attack.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[BBC]],<ref name="BBCLiveatLeeds">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/articles/2005/09/02/music_the_who_live_in_leeds_feature.shtml |title=The Who: Live at Leeds |publisher=BBC |date=18 August 2006 |access-date=3 January 2007 |archive-date=16 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061216044313/http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/articles/2005/09/02/music_the_who_live_in_leeds_feature.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> as one of the best live rock albums of all time.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=426}}

The ''Tommy'' tour included shows in European [[opera house]]s and saw the Who become the first rock act to play at the [[Metropolitan Opera]] House in New York City.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=352}} In March, the Who released the UK top&nbsp;20 hit "[[The Seeker (The Who song)|The Seeker]]", continuing a theme of issuing singles separate to albums. Townshend wrote the song to commemorate the common man, as a contrast to the themes on ''Tommy''.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=247, 421}} The tour included their [[Isle of Wight Festival 1970|second appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival]]. A record attendance in England which the ''[[Guinness Book of Records]]'' estimated at between 600,000 and 700,000 people,<ref>{{cite news |title=The original Isle of Wight festivals – in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jun/12/the-original-isle-of-wight-festivals-in-pictures |access-date=15 November 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-date=17 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117095121/https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jun/12/the-original-isle-of-wight-festivals-in-pictures |url-status=live }}</ref> the Who began their set at 2:00 A.M. on Sunday 30 August.<ref>Michael Heatley, liner notes from 1996 CD release</ref>

==== ''Lifehouse'' and ''Who's Next'' ====
[[File:The Who at Charlotte NC (1971).jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.25|The Who at the Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, 20 November 1971{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=294}}|alt=The Who live in Charlotte, North Carolina, 1971]]
''Tommy'' secured the Who's future, and made them millionaires. The group reacted in different ways{{spaced en dash}} Daltrey and Entwistle lived comfortably, Townshend was embarrassed at his wealth, which he felt was at odds with Meher Baba's ideals, and Moon spent frivolously.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=354}}

During the latter part of 1970, Townshend conceived a follow-up ''Tommy'': ''[[Lifehouse (rock opera)|Lifehouse]]'', which was to be a multi-media project symbolising the relationship between an artist and his audience.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=368–369}} He developed ideas in his home studio, creating layers of synthesizers,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=373}} and the [[Young Vic]] theatre in London was booked for a series of experimental concerts. Townshend approached the gigs with optimism; the rest of the band were just happy to be gigging again.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=375}} Eventually, the others complained to Townshend that the project was too complicated and they should simply record another album. Things deteriorated until Townshend had a nervous breakdown and abandoned ''Lifehouse''.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=378}} Entwistle was the first member of the group to release a solo album, ''[[Smash Your Head Against the Wall]]'', in May 1971.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=364}}{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=283}}

Recording at the [[Record Plant]] in New York City in March 1971 was abandoned when Lambert's addiction to hard drugs interfered with his ability to produce.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=279, 280}} The group restarted with [[Glyn Johns]] in April.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=275}} The album was mostly ''Lifehouse'' material,{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=279, 280}} with one unrelated song by Entwistle, "[[My Wife (song)|My Wife]]", and was released as ''[[Who's Next]]'' in August.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=288}} The album reached No.&nbsp;1 in the UK and No.&nbsp;4 in the US. "[[Baba O'Riley]]" and "[[Won't Get Fooled Again]]" are early examples of synthesizer use in rock, featuring keyboard sounds generated in real time by a [[Lowrey organ]]; on "Won't Get Fooled Again", it was further processed through a [[VCS3]] synthesizer.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=275}} The synthesizer intro to "Baba O'Riley" was programmed based on Meher Baba's vital stats,{{sfn|DiPerna|1994|p=49}} and the track featured a violin solo by [[Dave Arbus]].<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Who's Next|others=The Who|publisher=Track Records|id=2408 102|year=1971}}</ref> The album was a critical and commercial success, and has been certified [[Music recording sales certification|3× platinum]] by the [[RIAA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?share=12401&t=t&a=1|title=Gold & Platinum – The Who|website=RIAA|access-date=27 December 2016|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308140244/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?share=12401&t=t&a=1|url-status=live}}</ref> The Who continued to issue ''Lifehouse''-related material over the next few years, including the singles "[[Let's See Action]]", "[[Join Together (The Who song)|Join Together]]" and "[[Relay (song)|Relay]]".{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=421}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Pete Townshend: the minstrel's dilemma|first=Larry|last=Smith|publisher=Praeger Frederick A|year=1999|isbn=978-0-275-96472-6|page=171}}</ref><ref name="Whitburn">[[Whitburn, Joel]] (2006). ''The [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] Book of Top 40 Hits''. Billboard Books</ref>

The band went back on tour, and "Baba O' Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again" became live favourites.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=392}}{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=277}} In November they performed at the newly renovated [[Rainbow Theatre]] in London for three nights,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/2301-new-rainbow-astoria|title=New Rainbow/Astoria|publisher=The Theatres Trust|access-date=20 September 2013|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055102/http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/2301-new-rainbow-astoria|url-status=live}}</ref> continuing in the US later that month, where [[Robert Hilburn]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' described the Who as "the Greatest Show on Earth".{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=278}} The tour was slightly disrupted at the [[Bill Graham Civic Auditorium|Civic Auditorium]] in [[San Francisco]] on 12 December when Moon passed out over his kit after overdosing on [[brandy]] and [[barbiturates]].{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=295}} He recovered and completed the gig, playing to his usual strength.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=301}}

==== ''Quadrophenia'', ''Tommy'' film, and ''The Who by Numbers'' ====
[[File:The Who Hamburg 1972 2.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|The Who at the Ernst-Mercke-Halle, Hamburg, 12 August 1972{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=307}}|alt=The Who playing live]]

After touring ''Who's Next'', and needing time to write a follow-up, Townshend insisted that the Who take a lengthy break, as they had not stopped touring since the band started.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=302}} There was no group activity until May 1972, when they started working on a proposed new album, ''[[Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock!]]'',{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=302}} but, unhappy with the recordings, abandoned the sessions. Tensions began to emerge as Townshend believed Daltrey just wanted a money-making band and Daltrey thought Townshend's projects were getting pretentious. Moon's behaviour was becoming increasingly destructive and problematic through excessive drinking and drug use, and a desire to party and tour.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=390–391}} Daltrey performed an audit of the group's finances and discovered that Lambert and Stamp had not kept sufficient records. He believed them to be no longer effective managers, which Townshend and Moon disputed.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=406}} The painful dissolution of the managerial and personal relationships are recounted in James D. Cooper's 2014 retrospective documentary, ''[[Lambert & Stamp]]''.<ref>[http://entertainment.suntimes.com/movies/lambert-stamp-spotlight-shifts-two-made/ Lambert & Stamp: Spotlight shifts to the two who made The Who] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010234756/http://entertainment.suntimes.com/movies/lambert-stamp-spotlight-shifts-two-made/ |date=10 October 2015 }}, ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', Bruce Ingram, 14 May 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.</ref> Following [[The Who Tour 1972|a short European tour]], the remainder of 1972 was spent working on an orchestral version of ''Tommy'' with [[Lou Reizner]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=401}}

By 1973, the Who turned to recording the album ''[[Quadrophenia]]'' about mod and its subculture, set against clashes with [[Rockers (youth movement)|Rockers]] in early 1960s Britain.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=412–413}} The story is about a boy named Jimmy, who undergoes a personality crisis, and his relationship with his family, friends and mod culture.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|pp=341, 344}} The music features four themes, reflecting the four personalities of the Who.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=420}} Townshend played multi-tracked synthesizers, and Entwistle played several overdubbed horn parts.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=414}} By the time the album was being recorded, relationships between the band and Lambert and Stamp had broken down irreparably, and [[Bill Curbishley]] replaced them.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=412}} The album reached No.&nbsp;2 in both the UK and US.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=428}}

The Quadrophenia tour started in [[Stoke on Trent]] in October{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=335–336}} and was immediately beset with problems. Daltrey resisted Townshend's wish to add [[Joe Cocker]]'s keyboardist [[Chris Stainton]] (who played on the album) to the touring band.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=425–246}} As a compromise, Townshend assembled the keyboard and synthesizer parts on backing tapes, as such a strategy had been successful with "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again".{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=247}} The technology was not sophisticated enough to deal with the demands of the music; added to this issue, tour rehearsals had been interrupted due to an argument that culminated in Daltrey punching Townshend and knocking him out cold.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=359}} At a gig in Newcastle, the tapes completely malfunctioned, and an enraged Townshend dragged sound-man [[Bob Pridden]] on-stage, screamed at him, kicked all the amps over and partially destroyed the backing tapes. The show was abandoned for an "oldies" set, at the end of which Townshend smashed his guitar and Moon kicked over his drumkit.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=336}}{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=359}} ''The Independent'' described this gig as one of the worst of all time.<ref name="perrone">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/music-magazine/music-magazine-features/the-worst-gigs-of-all-time-772912.html|title=The worst gigs of all time|first=Pierre|last=Perrone|work=The Independent|date=24 January 2008|access-date=20 August 2014|archive-date=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125220127/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/music-magazine/music-magazine-features/the-worst-gigs-of-all-time-772912.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The US tour started on 20 November at the [[Cow Palace]] in [[Daly City, California]]; Moon passed out during "Won't Get Fooled Again" and during "[[Magic Bus (song)|Magic Bus]]". Townshend asked the audience, "Can anyone play the drums?{{spaced en dash}} I mean somebody good". An audience member, [[Scot Halpin]], filled in for the rest of the show.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=337}}<ref name="perrone" /> After a show in [[Montreal]], the band (except for Daltrey, who retired to bed early) caused so much damage to their hotel room, including destroying an antique painting and ramming a marble table through a wall, that [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police|federal law enforcement]] arrested them.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=363}}

[[File:The Who (1974).png|left|thumb|Promotional photograph celebrating the band's tenth anniversary, December 1974|alt=The Who waving to a crowd]]
By 1974, work had begun in earnest on [[Tommy (1975 film)|a ''Tommy'' film]]. Stigwood suggested [[Ken Russell]] as director, whose previous work Townshend had admired.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=437}} The film featured a star-studded cast, including the band members. [[David Essex]] auditioned for the title role, but the band persuaded Daltrey to take it.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=439}} The cast included [[Ann-Margret]], [[Oliver Reed]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Tina Turner]], [[Elton John]] and [[Jack Nicholson]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=439–440}} Townshend and Entwistle worked on the soundtrack for most of the year, handling the bulk of the instrumentation. Moon had moved to Los Angeles, so they used session drummers, including [[Kenney Jones]] (who would later join the Who). Elton John used his own band for "Pinball Wizard".{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=441}} Filming was from April{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=349–350}} until August.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=357}} 1,500&nbsp;extras appeared in the "Pinball Wizard" sequence.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=349–350}}

The film premiered on 18 March 1975 to a standing ovation.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=369}} Townshend was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Original Score]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=451}} ''Tommy'' was shown at the [[1975 Cannes Film Festival]], but not in the main competition.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=371–372}} It won the award for Rock Movie of the Year in the First Annual [[Rock Music Awards]]{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=373}} and generated over $2&nbsp;million in its first month.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=369}} The soundtrack reached number&nbsp;two on the ''Billboard'' charts.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=430}}

[[File:Keith Moon 4 - The Who - 1975.jpg|thumb|Keith Moon in 1975|alt=Keith Moon behind a drumkit]]
Work on ''Tommy'' took up most of 1974, and live performances by the Who were restricted to a show in May at [[The Valley (London)|the Valley]], the home of [[Charlton Athletic]], in front of 80,000 fans,{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=351}} and a few dates at [[Madison Square Garden]] in June.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=354}} Towards the end of the year, the group released the [[out-takes]] album ''[[Odds & Sods]]'', which featured several songs from the aborted ''Lifehouse'' project.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=446}}

In 1975, Daltrey and Townshend disagreed about the band's future and criticised each other via interviews in the music paper ''[[New Musical Express]]''. Daltrey was grateful that the Who had saved him from a career as a sheet-metal worker and was unhappy at Townshend not playing well; Townshend felt the commitment of the group prevented him from releasing solo material.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=458}} The next album, ''[[The Who by Numbers]]'', had introspective songs from Townshend that dealt with disillusionment such as "However Much I Booze" and "How Many Friends"; they resembled his later solo work.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=460}} Entwistle's "Success Story" gave a humorous look at the music industry, and "[[Squeeze Box (The Who song)|Squeeze Box]]" was a hit single.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=364}} The group toured from October, playing little new material and few ''Quadrophenia'' numbers, and reintroducing several from ''Tommy''. The American leg of the tour began in [[Houston]] to a crowd of 18,000 at [[The Summit Arena]], and was supported by [[Toots and the Maytals]].{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=365}} On 6 December 1975, the Who set the record for largest indoor concert at the [[Pontiac Silverdome]], attended by 78,000.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=443}} On 31 May 1976, they played a second concert at the Valley which was listed in the ''[[Guinness Book of Records]]'' as the world's loudest concert at over 120&nbsp;dB.<ref name="Sanctuary" /> Townshend had become fed up of touring{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=473}} but Entwistle considered live performance to be at a peak.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=465}}

==== ''Who Are You'' and Moon's death ====
[[File:Daltrey and Townshend.jpg|thumb|right|Daltrey and Townshend, 21 October 1976, Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario{{spaced en dash}} their last public gig with Moon|alt=Roger Daltrey singing and Pete Townshend singing and playing a guitar]]

After the 1976 tour, Townshend took most of the following year off to spend time with his family.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=394}} He discovered that former [[Beatles]] and [[Rolling Stones]] manager [[Allen Klein]] had bought a stake in his publishing company. A settlement was reached, but Townshend was upset and disillusioned that Klein had attempted to take ownership of his songs. Townshend went to the [[Speakeasy Club|Speakeasy]] where he met [[the Sex Pistols]]' [[Steve Jones (musician)|Steve Jones]] and [[Paul Cook]], fans of the Who. After leaving, he passed out in a doorway, where a policeman said he would not be arrested if he could stand and walk. The events inspired the [[Who Are You (The Who song)|title track]] of the next album, ''[[Who Are You]]''.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=396}}

The group reconvened in September 1977, but Townshend announced there would be no live performances for the immediate future, a decision that Daltrey endorsed. By this point, Moon was so unhealthy that the Who conceded it would be difficult for him to cope with touring. The only gig that year was an informal show on 15 December at the [[Gaumont State Cinema]] in [[Kilburn, London|Kilburn]], London, filmed for the documentary ''[[The Kids Are Alright (1979 film)|The Kids Are Alright]]''.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=406}} The band had not played for 14 months, and their performance was so weak that the footage was not used. Moon's playing was particularly lacklustre and he had gained a lot of weight,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=494}} though Daltrey later said, "even at his worst, Keith Moon was amazing".<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUa8Qk-qQzM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/NUa8Qk-qQzM| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|time=1:08|title=The Who release Live At Kilburn DVD from their archive vault|work=[[Artisan Entertainment|Artisan News Service]]|date=12 November 2008|access-date=5 September 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Recording of ''Who Are You'' started in January 1978. Daltrey clashed with Johns over the production of his vocals, and Moon's drumming was so poor that Daltrey and Entwistle considered firing him. Moon's playing improved, but on one track, "Music Must Change", he was replaced as he could not play in {{music|time|6|8}} time.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=496}} In May, the Who filmed another performance at Shepperton Sound Studios for ''The Kids Are Alright''. This performance was strong, and several tracks were used in the film. It was the last gig Moon performed with the Who.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=499}}

The album was released on 18 August, and became their biggest and fastest seller to date, peaking at No.&nbsp;6 in the UK and No.&nbsp;2 in the US.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=430}} Instead of touring, Daltrey, Townshend and Moon did a series of promotional television interviews, and Entwistle worked on the soundtrack for ''The Kids Are Alright''.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=504–505}}

On 6 September, Moon attended a party held by [[Paul McCartney]] to celebrate [[Buddy Holly]]'s birthday. Returning to his flat, Moon took 32 tablets of [[clomethiazole]] which had been prescribed to combat his [[alcohol withdrawal]].{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=416}} He passed out the following morning and was discovered dead later that day.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=506–507}}{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=416}}

=== 1978–1983 ===
The day after Moon's death, Townshend issued the statement: "We are more determined than ever to carry on, and we want the spirit of the group to which Keith contributed so much to go on, although no human being can ever take his place".{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=416–417}} Drummer [[Phil Collins]], having a temporary break from [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] after his first marriage had failed, was at a loose end and asked to replace Moon, but Townshend had already asked [[Kenney Jones]], who had previously played with the Small Faces and [[Faces (band)|Faces]]. Jones officially joined the band in November 1978.{{sfn|Townshend|2012|p=287}}<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Bowler|first1=Dave|last2=Dray|first2=Bryan|title=Genesis: A Biography|year=1992|isbn=978-0-283-06132-5|publisher=Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd.|page=[https://archive.org/details/genesisbiography0000bowl_h5d4/page/60 60]|url=https://archive.org/details/genesisbiography0000bowl_h5d4/page/60}}</ref> [[John "Rabbit" Bundrick]] joined the live band as an unofficial keyboardist.{{sfn|Townshend|2012|p=289}} On 2 May 1979, the Who returned to the stage with a concert at the Rainbow Theatre, followed by the [[Cannes Film Festival]] in France{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=509}} and dates at Madison Square Garden in New York.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=510}}

[[Quadrophenia (film)|The ''Quadrophenia'' film]] was released that year. It was directed by [[Franc Roddam]] in his feature-directing début,{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=518}} and had straightforward acting rather than musical numbers as in ''Tommy''. [[John Lydon]] was considered for Jimmy, but the role went to [[Phil Daniels]]. [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] played Jimmy's friend and fellow mod, the Ace Face.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/movies/quadrophenia-reissue-new-spark-for-enduring-mods.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|title='Quadrophenia,' Still a Flash Point for the Mods|first=Marc|last=Spitz|work=The New York Times|date=24 August 2012|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=13 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313082551/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/movies/quadrophenia-reissue-new-spark-for-enduring-mods.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> The soundtrack was Jones' first appearance on a Who record, performing on newly written material not on the original album.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kenny-jones-joins-the-who-19781228|title=Kenny Jones Joins The Who|first1=Salley|last1=Rayl|first2=James|last2=Henke|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=28 December 1978|access-date=25 November 2014|archive-date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228042242/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kenny-jones-joins-the-who-19781228|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was a critical and box office success in the UK{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=535}} and appealed to the growing [[mod revival]] movement. [[The Jam]] were influenced by the Who, and critics noticed a similarity between Townshend and the group's leader, [[Paul Weller]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=510}}

''The Kids Are Alright'' was also completed in 1979. It was a retrospective of the band's career, directed by Jeff Stein.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=486}} The film included footage of the band at Monterey, Woodstock and Pontiac, and clips from the Smothers Brothers' show and ''[[Russell Harty]] Plus''.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=486}} Moon had died one week after seeing the rough cut with Daltrey. The film contains the Shepperton concert,{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=503}} and an audio track of him playing over silent footage of himself was the last time he ever played the drums.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=514}}

In December, the Who became the third band, after the Beatles and [[the Band]], to appear on the cover of ''Time''. The article, by [[Jay Cocks]], said the band had outpaced, outlasted, outlived and outclassed all of their rock band contemporaries.<ref name="Time Magazine">{{cite magazine|last=Cocks |first=Jay |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,920745,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515075557/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,920745,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 May 2007 |title=Rock's Outer Limits |magazine=Time |date=17 December 1979 |access-date=24 November 2010}}</ref>

==== Cincinnati tragedy ====
{{Main|The Who concert disaster}}
On 3 December 1979, a [[crowd crush]] at a Who gig at the [[Riverfront Coliseum]], [[Cincinnati]] killed 11 fans.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rock-and-roll-tragedy-why-eleven-died-at-the-whos-cincinnati-concert-19800124|title=Rock and Roll Tragedy : Why Eleven Died at The Who's Cincinnati Concert|first=Chet|last=Flippo|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=24 January 1980|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=5 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005053013/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rock-and-roll-tragedy-why-eleven-died-at-the-whos-cincinnati-concert-19800124|url-status=live}}</ref> This was partly due to the [[festival seating]], where the first to enter get the best positions. Some fans waiting outside mistook the band's [[soundcheck]] for the concert, and attempted to force their way inside. As only a few entrance doors were opened, a bottleneck situation ensued with thousands trying to gain entry, and the crush became deadly.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=512}}

The Who were not told until after the show because civic authorities feared crowd problems if the concert were cancelled. The band were deeply shaken upon learning of it and requested that appropriate safety precautions be taken in the future.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=513}} The following evening, in [[Buffalo, New York]], Daltrey told the crowd that the band had "lost a lot of family last night and this show's for them".<ref name="stampede">{{cite magazine | url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,920746,00.html | title=Music: The Stampede to Tragedy | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=17 December 1979 | access-date=30 November 2015 | archive-date=8 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208150334/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,920746,00.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Change and break-up ====
[[File:BouncingTownshend.jpg|thumb|left|The Who in Toronto, 1980|alt=Roger Daltrey holding a microphone and Pete Townshend jumping on stage]]

Daltrey took a break in 1980 to work on the film ''[[McVicar (film)|McVicar]]'', in which he took the lead role of bank robber [[John McVicar]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=492}} The [[McVicar (album)|soundtrack album]] is a Daltrey solo album, though all members of the Who are included in the supporting musicians, and was his most successful solo release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/mcvicar-mw0000184114|title=McVicar&nbsp;– Roger Daltrey|first=William|last=Ruhlmann|website=AllMusic|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=4 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004140528/http://www.allmusic.com/album/mcvicar-mw0000184114|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Who released two studio albums with Jones as drummer, ''[[Face Dances]]'' (1981) and ''[[It's Hard]]'' (1982). ''Face Dances'' produced a US top&nbsp;20 and UK top ten hit with the single "[[You Better You Bet]]", whose video was one of the first shown on [[MTV]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2mDnc4apw_0C&q=%22the+who%22+MTV+%22you+better+you+bet%22+1981&pg=PA33|title=Remember the 80s: Now That's What I Call Nostalgia!|first=Richard|last=Evans|publisher=Anova Books|page=33|isbn=978-1-906032-12-8|year=2008|access-date=22 November 2020|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815195107/https://books.google.com/books?id=2mDnc4apw_0C&q=%22the+who%22+MTV+%22you+better+you+bet%22+1981&pg=PA33|url-status=live}}</ref> Both ''Face Dances'' and ''It's Hard'' sold well and the latter received a five-star review in ''Rolling Stone''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/its-hard-19820930|first=Parke|last=Puterbaugh|title=It's Hard|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=30 September 1982|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110104648/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/its-hard-19820930|url-status=live}}</ref> The single "[[Eminence Front]]" from ''It's Hard'' was a hit, and became a regular at live shows.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-whos-10-greatest-songs-20121017/8-eminence-front-0185516|title=Readers' Poll: The Who's 10 Greatest Songs : 8 'Eminence Front'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=17 October 2012|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=20 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820225344/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-whos-10-greatest-songs-20121017/8-eminence-front-0185516|url-status=live}}</ref> By this time Townshend had fallen into depression, wondering if he was no longer a visionary.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=514}} He was again at odds with Daltrey and Entwistle, who merely wanted to tour and play hits{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=517–518}} and thought Townshend had saved his best songs for his solo album, ''[[Empty Glass]]'' (1980).{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=519}} Jones' drumming style was very different from Moon's and this drew criticism within the band.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=517–518}} Townshend briefly became addicted to heroin before cleaning up early in 1982 after treatment with [[Meg Patterson]].{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=523}}
[[File:John Entwisle 1987.jpg|right|thumb|John Entwistle performing with The Who at the Manchester Apollo, 1981|alt=John Entwistle playing a bass guitar]]

Townshend wanted the Who to stop touring and become a studio act; Entwistle threatened to quit, saying, "I don't intend to get off the road&nbsp;... there's not much I can do about it except hope they change their minds".<ref name="greene82" /> Townshend did not change his mind, and so the Who embarked on a farewell tour of the US and Canada<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-25-boldest-career-moves-in-rock-history-20110318/pete-townshend-becomes-a-book-editor-20110323|title=The 25 Boldest Career Moves in Rock History: Pete Townshend Becomes a Book Editor|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=23 March 2011|access-date=22 November 2012|archive-date=13 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313040408/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-25-boldest-career-moves-in-rock-history-20110318/pete-townshend-becomes-a-book-editor-20110323|url-status=live}}</ref> with [[the Clash]] as support,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/clash-unveils-12-disc-set-633476|title=The Clash Unveils 12-Disc Set|first=Mitch|last=Myers|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=21 September 2013|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=24 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924065803/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/clash-unveils-12-disc-set-633476|url-status=live}}</ref> ending in Toronto on 17 December 1982.<ref name="greene82">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/flashback-the-who-wrap-up-their-farewell-tour-in-1982-20130613|title=Flashback: The Who Wrap Up Their 'Farewell' Tour in 1982|first=Andy|last=Greene|date=13 June 2013|access-date=23 September 2013|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828075127/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/flashback-the-who-wrap-up-their-farewell-tour-in-1982-20130613|url-status=live}}</ref>

Townshend spent part of 1983 writing material for a Who studio album owed to [[Warner Bros. Records]] from a contract in 1980,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=524}} but he found himself unable to generate music appropriate for the Who and at the end of 1983 paid for himself and Jones to be released from the contract.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=538}} On 16 December 1983, Townshend announced at a press conference that he was leaving the Who, effectively ending the band.<ref>{{Citation |last=Whitaker |first=Sterling |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/the-who-announce-breakup/ |date=16 December 2016 |title=The History of The Who's First Breakup |access-date=17 December 2016 |archive-date=19 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219055945/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/the-who-announce-breakup/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

After the Who's break-up, Townshend focused on solo albums such as ''[[White City: A Novel]]'' (1985), ''[[The Iron Man: A Musical|The Iron Man]]'' (1989, featuring Daltrey and Entwistle and two songs credited to the Who), and ''[[Psychoderelict]]'' (1993).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pete-townshend-mn0000842351/discography|title=Pete Townshend discography|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 September 2013|archive-date=7 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207065438/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pete-townshend-mn0000842351/discography|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Reunions ===
In July 1985, the Who performed at [[Live Aid]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1643506/looking-back-at-live-aid-25-years-later.jhtml|title=Looking back at Live Aid 25 years later|publisher=MTV|date=13 July 2010|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=19 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219224029/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1643506/looking-back-at-live-aid-25-years-later.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> The BBC transmission truck blew a fuse during the set, temporarily interrupting the broadcast.<ref>{{cite news |title=Aaaaaay-o! Aaaaaay-o! Why Live Aid was the greatest show of all |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/live-aid-anniversary-queen-freddie-mercury-performances-bob-geldof-a9612071.html |access-date=15 July 2020 |newspaper=The Independent |archive-date=13 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713232607/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/live-aid-anniversary-queen-freddie-mercury-performances-bob-geldof-a9612071.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/witness/july/13/newsid_3041000/3041494.stm|title=On this day : 13 July|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223200325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/witness/july/13/newsid_3041000/3041494.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[List of BRIT Awards ceremonies#1988|1988]] [[Brit Awards]], at the [[Royal Albert Hall]], the band were given the [[British Phonographic Industry]]'s Lifetime Achievement Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/the-who|title=The Who|publisher=Brit Awards|access-date=3 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202085800/http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/the-who|archive-date=2 February 2012}}</ref> The short set they played there was the last time Jones played with the Who until 2014.<ref name="gs">{{cite web |url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/kenney-jones-play-who-stage-7253224 |title=Kenney Jones to perform with The Who on stage for first time in more than 25 years |last=Watkins |first=James |date=11 June 2014 |work=Get Surrey |access-date=18 June 2014 |archive-date=15 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615053003/http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/kenney-jones-play-who-stage-7253224 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== 1989 tour ====
In 1989, the band embarked on a 25th-anniversary ''The Kids Are Alright'' reunion tour with [[Simon Phillips (drummer)|Simon Phillips]] on drums and [[Steve "Boltz" Bolton]] as a second guitarist. Townshend had announced in 1987 that he suffered from [[tinnitus]]<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.speechandlanguage.com/pdf/june20042.pdf|title=Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Children: What Educators Need to Know|first1=Anne Kathryn|last1=Haller|first2=Judy|last2=Montgomery|publisher=AGS Publishing|year=2004|access-date=25 November 2014|archive-date=12 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612004453/http://www.speechandlanguage.com/PDF/june20042.pdf|url-status=dead|journal=TEACHING Exceptional Children|volume=36|number=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Q0EAAAAMBAJ|title=Musicians' Health Issues Often Overlooked|first=Michael|last=Greene|magazine=Billboard|page=8|date=16 September 1995|access-date=22 September 2014}}</ref> and alternated acoustic, rhythm and lead guitar to preserve his hearing.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=539}} Their two shows at Sullivan Stadium in [[Foxborough, Massachusetts]], sold 100,000 tickets in less than eight hours, beating previous records set there by [[U2]] and [[David Bowie]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Who Sell Out (Again)|first=Jeffrey |last=Ressner |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=15 June 1989 |page=20}}</ref> The tour was briefly marred at a gig in Tacoma, Washington, where Townshend injured his hand on-stage.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/10-classic-onstage-injuries-502121/8|title=10 classic onstage injuries|magazine=Guitar Player|date=27 September 2011|access-date=17 September 2014|archive-date=24 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924042751/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/10-classic-onstage-injuries-502121/8|url-status=live}}</ref> Some critics disliked the tour's over-produced and expanded line-up, calling it "the Who on Ice";<ref name="greene" />  [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of [[AllMusic]] said the tour "tarnished the reputation of the Who almost irreparably".<ref name="jointogether" /> The tour included most of ''Tommy'' and included such guests as [[Phil Collins]], [[Billy Idol]] and Elton John.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-featuring-rock-opera-tommy-mw0000267855|title=Live:Featuring Rock Opera Tommy|website=AllMusic|access-date=27 September 2013|archive-date=3 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603024715/http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-featuring-rock-opera-tommy-mw0000267855|url-status=live}}</ref> A 2-CD live album, ''[[Join Together (album)|Join Together]]'', was released in 1990.<ref name="jointogether">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/join-together-mw0000206482|title=''Join Together''&nbsp;– The Who|first=Stephen Thomas|last=Erlewine|website=AllMusic|access-date=27 September 2013|archive-date=20 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720161209/http://www.allmusic.com/album/join-together-mw0000206482|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Partial reunions ====
In 1990, the Who were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=540}} The group have a featured collection in the hall's museum, including one of Moon's velvet suits, a [[Warwick (guitar manufacturer)|Warwick]] bass of Entwistle's, and a [[drumhead]] from 1968.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockhall.com/exhibits/featured-collections/the-who/|title=Featured Collections: The Who|publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|access-date=30 September 2013|archive-date=2 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002050255/https://rockhall.com/exhibits/featured-collections/the-who/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1991, the Who recorded a cover of Elton John's "[[Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting]]" for the tribute album ''[[Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin]]''. It was the last studio recording to feature Entwistle. In 1994, Daltrey turned 50 and celebrated with two concerts at New York's [[Carnegie Hall]]. The shows included guest spots by Entwistle and Townshend. Although all three surviving original members of the Who attended, they appeared on stage together only during the finale, "Join Together", with the other guests. Daltrey toured that year with Entwistle, [[Zak Starkey]] on drums and [[Simon Townshend]] filling in for his brother as guitarist.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=542}} That year saw the release of the Who's retrospecive box set ''[[Thirty Years of Maximum R&B]]'', with Daltrey, Townshend and Entwistle all being interviewed for its companion home video ''[[Thirty Years of Maximum R&B Live]]''.

=== Re-formation ===
==== Revival of ''Quadrophenia'' ====
[[File:Zak Starkey2.jpg|thumb|[[Zak Starkey]] had been The Who's main drummer from 1996 to 2025 and turned down an invitation to be a full-time member.<ref name="townshend200612" />|alt=Zak Starkey playing drums]]

In 1996, Townshend, Entwistle and Daltrey performed ''Quadrophenia'' with guests and Starkey on drums at [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]].{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=543}} The performance was narrated by Daniels, who had played Jimmy in the 1979 film. This was the first live performance of ''Quadrophenia'' in its entirety. Despite technical difficulties the show led to a six-night residency at Madison Square Garden and a [[The Who Tour 1996–1997|US and European tour through 1996 and 1997]].{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=543}} Townshend played mostly acoustic guitar, but eventually was persuaded to play some electric.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/music/the-who-resurrects-its-other-rock-opera-quadrophenia-661109/|title=The Who resurrects its 'other' rock opera, 'Quadrophenia'|first=Scott|last=Mervis|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=8 November 2012|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=28 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928011448/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/music/the-who-resurrects-its-other-rock-opera-quadrophenia-661109/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1998, [[VH1]] ranked the Who ninth in their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of Rock 'n' Roll".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1998/vh1artists.htm|title=VH1: 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll|publisher=[[VH1]]|access-date=22 November 2012|archive-date=19 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119191122/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1998/vh1artists.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Charity shows and Entwistle's death ====
In late 1999, the Who performed as a five-piece for the first time since 1985, with Bundrick on keyboards and Starkey on drums. The first show in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] at the [[MGM Grand Garden Arena]]<ref name="greene">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/flashback-the-who-strip-down-at-their-1999-comeback-show-20130226|title=Flashback: The Who Strip Down at their 1999 comeback show|first=Andy|last=Greene|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=26 February 2013|access-date=21 September 2013|archive-date=8 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008223523/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/flashback-the-who-strip-down-at-their-1999-comeback-show-20130226|url-status=live}}</ref> was partially broadcast on TV and the Internet and released as the DVD ''[[The Vegas Job]]''. They then performed acoustic shows at [[Neil Young]]'s [[Bridge School Benefit]] at the [[Shoreline Amphitheatre]] in [[Mountain View, California]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/neil-young-the-who-pearl-jam-take-it-to-the-bridge-19991101|title=Neil Young, The Who, Pearl Jam, Take It to the Bridge|first=Denise|last=Sullivan|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=1 November 1999|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110110225/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/neil-young-the-who-pearl-jam-take-it-to-the-bridge-19991101|url-status=live}}</ref> followed by gigs at the [[House of Blues]] in Chicago<ref name="official">{{cite web|url=http://thewho.com/history/|title=History&nbsp;– The Who|publisher=The Who (official site)|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927184007/http://thewho.com/history/|url-status=live}}</ref> and two Christmas charity shows at the [[Shepherd's Bush Empire]] in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.academy-music-group.co.uk/venue/venue.aspx?id=578|title=Shepherd's Bush Empire|publisher=Academy Music Group|access-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925163812/http://www.academy-music-group.co.uk/venue/venue.aspx?id=578|archive-date=25 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Critics were delighted to see a rejuvenated band with a basic line-up comparable to the tours of the 1960s and 1970s. Andy Greene in ''Rolling Stone'' called the 1999 tour better than the final one with Moon in 1976.<ref name="greene" />

The band toured the US and UK from June to October 2000,<ref name="official" /> to generally favourable reviews,<ref>{{cite news|first=Sean|last=Piccoli|title=Great Generation|work=The Sun Sentinel|date=25 September 2000 |url=http://www.thewholive.de/details/index.php?id=243&Tracklisting=&GroupID=1&Tag=&Monat=&Jahr=2000&Stadt=&Halle=&LandID=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719095355/http://www.thewholive.de/details/index.php?id=243&Tracklisting=&GroupID=1&Tag=&Monat=&Jahr=2000&Stadt=&Halle=&LandID=0|archive-date=19 July 2011 }}</ref> culminating in a charity show at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] for the [[Teenage Cancer Trust]] with guest performances from [[Paul Weller]], [[Eddie Vedder]], [[Noel Gallagher]], [[Bryan Adams]] and [[Nigel Kennedy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/249329/The-Who-Special-Guests-Live-at-the-Royal-Albert-Hall/overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928085428/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/249329/The-Who-Special-Guests-Live-at-the-Royal-Albert-Hall/overview|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2013|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Mark Deming|date=2013|title=The Who & Special Guests: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2000)|access-date=23 September 2013}}</ref> Stephen Tomas Erlewine described the gig as "an exceptional reunion concert".<ref name="alberthall">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-royal-albert-hall-mw0000036378|title=Live at the Royal Albert Hall|first=Stephen Thomas|last=Erlewine|website=AllMusic|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=22 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922182913/http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-royal-albert-hall-mw0000036378|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2001 the band performed at [[The Concert for New York City]] at [[Madison Square Garden]] for families of firefighters and police who had lost their lives following the [[September 11 attacks]] on the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]];<ref name="usatoday200110">{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/media/2001-10-19-concert.htm|title=Corporations put aside egos, rivalry to help out|first=David|last=Lieberman|work=USA Today|date=19 October 2001|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927200400/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/media/2001-10-19-concert.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> with ''Forbes'' describing their performance as a "catharsis" for the law enforcement in attendance.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Night The Who Saved New York |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomwatson/2012/12/07/the-night-the-who-saved-new-york/ |access-date=18 June 2020 |magazine=Forbes |archive-date=18 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618100408/https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomwatson/2012/12/07/the-night-the-who-saved-new-york/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Earlier that year the band were honoured with a [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]].<ref name="Lifetime Grammy">{{cite web |url=http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/lifetime-awards |title=Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards |publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences |date=8 February 2009 |access-date=24 November 2010 |archive-date=17 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217153829/http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/lifetime-awards |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Who played concerts in the UK in early 2002 in preparation for a full US tour. On 27 June, the day before the first date,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1213203.stm|title=The Who bassist Entwistle dies|work=BBC News|date=28 June 2002|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815195149/https://server-uk.imrworldwide.com/a1.js|url-status=live}}</ref> Entwistle, 57, was found dead of a heart attack at the [[Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas)|Hard Rock Hotel]] in Las Vegas. [[Cocaine]] was a contributing factor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2152761.stm |title=Cocaine 'killed The Who star' |work=BBC News |date=26 July 2002 |access-date=3 November 2012 |archive-date=17 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217034930/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2152761.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== After Entwistle: Tours and ''Endless Wire'' ====
[[File:The Who 2007 -2-.JPG|left|thumb|The Who on tour in 2007. L to R: [[Zak Starkey]], Daltrey, Townshend, and [[John "Rabbit" Bundrick]].|alt=On-stage shot of The Who]]

Entwistle's son, Christopher, gave a statement supporting the Who's decision to carry on. The US tour began at the [[Hollywood Bowl]] with touring bassist [[Pino Palladino]]. Townshend dedicated the show to Entwistle, and ended with a montage of pictures of him. The tour lasted until September.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/03/arts/the-who-spring-back-and-start-their-tour.html|title=The Who Spring Back And Start Their Tour|first=Bernard|last=Weinraub|work=The New York Times|date=3 July 2002|access-date=5 December 2014|archive-date=13 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213053254/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/03/arts/the-who-spring-back-and-start-their-tour.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The loss of a founding member of the Who caused Townshend to re-evaluate his relationship with Daltrey, which had been strained over the band's career. He decided their friendship was important, and this ultimately led to writing and recording new material.<ref name="nyt20061029" />

To combat [[bootleg recording|bootlegging]], in 2002 the band began to release the [[Encore Series]] of official [[soundboard recording]]s via themusic.com. An official statement read: "to satisfy this demand they have agreed to release their own official recordings to benefit worthy causes".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/74429/the-who-to-offer-live-bootlegs|title=The Who to Offer Live Bootlegs|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=26 August 2002|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=27 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527070355/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/74429/the-who-to-offer-live-bootlegs|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2004, the Who released "Old Red Wine" and "Real Good Looking Boy" (with Palladino and [[Greg Lake]], respectively, on bass guitar) on a singles anthology, ''[[The Who: Then and Now]]'', and went on an [[The Who Tour 2004|18-date tour]] of Japan, Australia, the UK and the US, including a return appearance at the Isle of Wight.<ref>{{cite news | author=Wolfson, Richard | title=Sheer genius | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=UK | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2004/06/14/bmwight14.xml&sSheet=/arts/2004/06/15/ixmusicmain.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060208214703/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=%2Farts%2F2004%2F06%2F14%2Fbmwight14.xml&sSheet=%2Farts%2F2004%2F06%2F15%2Fixmusicmain.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=8 February 2006 | date=14 June 2004 | access-date=7 January 2007 }}</ref> Later that year, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked the Who No.&nbsp;29 on their list of the [[Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time|100 Greatest Artists of All Time]].<ref>{{cite magazine | title=The Immortals: The First Fifty | magazine=Rolling Stone | issue=946 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty | date=24 March 2004 | access-date=3 January 2007 | archive-date=25 June 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625061212/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Who announced in 2005 that they were working on a new album. Townshend posted a novella called ''[[The Boy Who Heard Music]]'' on his blog, which developed into a mini-opera called ''[[Wire&nbsp;& Glass]]'', forming the basis for the album.<ref name="nyt20061029">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/29/arts/music/29ligh.html?ref=thewho|title=24 Years Later, Believe It or Not, The Who's Next|first=Alan|last=Light|work=The New York Times|date=29 October 2006|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=19 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819202932/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/29/arts/music/29ligh.html?ref=thewho|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Endless Wire (The Who album)|Endless Wire]]'', released in 2006, was the first full studio album of new material since 1982's ''It's Hard'' and contained the band's first mini-opera since "Rael" in 1967. The album reached No.&nbsp;7 in the US and No.&nbsp;9 in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thewho.com/album/endless-wire/|title=Endless Wire|publisher=The Who (official site)|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927184010/http://thewho.com/album/endless-wire/|url-status=live}}</ref> Starkey was invited to join Oasis in April 2006 and the Who in November 2006, but he declined and split his time between the two.<ref name="townshend200612">{{cite web|url=http://www.petetownshend.co.uk/diary/display.cfm?id=459&zone=diary |first=Pete |last=Townshend |author-link=Pete Townshend |title=Zak and the Revision of History |publisher=Pete Townshend (official site) |date=4 December 2006 |access-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101222426/http://www.petetownshend.co.uk/diary/display.cfm?id=459&zone=diary |archive-date=1 January 2007 }}</ref>

In November 2007, the documentary ''[[Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who]]'' was released, featuring unreleased footage of the 1970 Leeds appearance and a 1964 performance at the Railway Hotel when the group were the High Numbers. ''Amazing Journey'' was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/2100-207_162-4647770.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111055641/http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-207_162-4647770.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2012|title=The 51st Annual Grammy Awards|work=CBS News|access-date=22 November 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Super Bowl 44 South Florida Halftime Show the Who (4344082917) (cropped).jpg|thumb|The Who performing the [[Super Bowl XLIV|2010]] [[Super Bowl]] [[List of Super Bowl halftime shows|halftime show]]]]

The Who toured in support of ''Endless Wire'', including the [[BBC Electric Proms]] at the [[Roundhouse (venue)|Roundhouse]] in London in 2006,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2006/who/|title=Electric Proms&nbsp;– The Who|work=BBC News|access-date=27 November 2012|archive-date=12 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412050918/http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2006/who/|url-status=live}}</ref> headlining the 2007 [[Glastonbury Festival]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/news/glastonbury/29212|title=The Who close Glastonbury 2007|magazine=NME|access-date=27 November 2012|archive-date=31 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331060934/http://www.nme.com/news/glastonbury/29212|url-status=live}}</ref> a half-time appearance at the [[Super Bowl XLIV]] in 2010<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/fans-react-to-the-whos-super-bowl-halftime-performance-20100208|title=Fans React to The Who's Super Bowl Halftime Performance|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=8 February 2010|access-date=1 December 2014|archive-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113001846/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/fans-react-to-the-whos-super-bowl-halftime-performance-20100208|url-status=live}}</ref> and being the final act at the [[2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|closing ceremony]] of the London [[2012 Olympic Games]].<ref name="olympics">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/london-2012/9470803/Olympics-closing-ceremony-playlist.html|title=Olympics closing ceremony: playlist|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=12 August 2012|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308174608/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/london-2012/9470803/Olympics-closing-ceremony-playlist.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  In November 2012, the Who released ''[[Live at Hull]]'', an album of the band's performance the night after the ''Live at Leeds'' gig.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://store.universal-music.co.uk/restofworld/the-who/whovember-2012/icat/thewhowhovember2012/|title=Whovember 2012|publisher=Universal Music|date=24 October 2011|access-date=8 November 2012|archive-date=1 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101035418/http://store.universal-music.co.uk/restofworld/the-who/whovember-2012/icat/thewhowhovember2012/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== ''Quadrophenia and More'' ====
{{Main|Quadrophenia and More}}

In 2010, The Who performed ''Quadrophenia'' with parts played by Vedder and [[Tom Meighan]] at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the [[Teenage Cancer Trust]] series of 10 gigs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/7541787/The-Who-Quadrophenia-at-the-Royal-Albert-Hall-review.html|title=The Who: Quadrophenia at the Royal Albert Hall|first=Neil|last=McCormick|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=31 March 2010|access-date=25 November 2014|archive-date=9 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109145052/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/7541787/The-Who-Quadrophenia-at-the-Royal-Albert-Hall-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A planned tour for early 2010 was jeopardised by the return of Townshend's tinnitus. He experimented with an in-ear monitoring system that was recommended by [[Neil Young]] and his audiologist.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/02/18/the-whos-future-uncertain-as-townshends-tinnitus-returns| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100221054237/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/02/18/the-whos-future-uncertain-as-townshends-tinnitus-returns/| url-status = dead| archive-date = 21 February 2010|title = The Who's Future Uncertain as Townshend's Tinnitus Returns |magazine=Rolling Stone| date = 18 February 2010 |  access-date =18 February 2010}}</ref>

The ''[[Quadrophenia and More]]'' tour started in November 2012 in [[Ottawa]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/11/21/the-who-quadrophenia-and-more-in-ottawa|title=The Who Quadrophenia (and more) in Ottawa|work=Ottawa Sun|date=21 November 2012|access-date=22 November 2012|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815195207/https://www.ottawasun.com/2012/11/21/the-who-quadrophenia-and-more-in-ottawa|url-status=live}}</ref> with keyboardists John Corey, [[Loren Gold]] and [[Frank Simes]], the last of whom was also musical director.<ref name="thewho20120718">{{cite press release |url=http://thewho.com/story/tickets-on-sale-beginning-friday-july-20-general-public-on-sale-july-27 |title=The Who announce North American tour performing "Quadrophenia" plus Who classics |publisher=The Who |date=18 July 2012 |access-date=18 July 2012 |archive-date=21 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721065557/http://thewho.com/story/tickets-on-sale-beginning-friday-july-20-general-public-on-sale-july-27/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2013, Starkey pulled a tendon and was replaced for a gig by [[Scott Devours]], who performed with less than four hours' notice.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2013/02/the_who_drummer_scott_devours.php|title=How Local Drummer Scott Devours Scored a Gig With The Who With Four Hours to Learn 'Quadrophenia'|first=Arrissia|last=Owen|date=19 February 2013|work=OC Weekly|access-date=27 August 2014|archive-date=3 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903070534/http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2013/02/the_who_drummer_scott_devours.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The tour moved to Europe and the UK, and ended at the [[Wembley Arena]] in July 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturevideo/musicvideo/10919836/The-Who-Quadrophenia-Live-in-London-The-Sea-and-the-Sand-exclusive-footage.html|title=The Who: Quadrophenia Live in London&nbsp;– The Sea and the Sand&nbsp;– exclusive footage|first=Neil|last=McCormick|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=24 June 2014|access-date=25 November 2014|archive-date=29 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629080707/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturevideo/musicvideo/10919836/The-Who-Quadrophenia-Live-in-London-The-Sea-and-the-Sand-exclusive-footage.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== ''The Who Hits 50!'' and beyond ====
[[File:The Who, Oakland, CA, May 2016.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.9|Daltrey and Townshend on ''The Who Hits 50!'' tour in 2016]]
In October 2013, Townshend announced the Who would stage their final tour in 2015, performing in locations they have never played before.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gibsone|first=Harriet|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/24/the-who-quit-touring-after-2015-pete-townshend|title=The Who Quit Touring After 2015|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=24 October 2013|access-date=29 October 2013|archive-date=3 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103211426/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/24/the-who-quit-touring-after-2015-pete-townshend|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-who/73397|title=The Who announce they will quit touring after 50th anniversary gig in 2015|work=NME|date=24 October 2013|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029234603/http://www.nme.com/news/the-who/73397|url-status=live}}</ref> Daltrey clarified that the tour was unrelated to the band's 50th anniversary and indicated that he and Townshend were considering recording new material.<ref name="rsm2015">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-who-to-launch-last-big-tour-in-2015-20131029 |title=The Who to Launch 'Last Big Tour' in 2015 |last=Greene |first=Andy |date=29 October 2013 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=16 September 2017 |archive-date=30 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830184812/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-who-to-launch-last-big-tour-in-2015-20131029 |url-status=live }}</ref> Daltrey stated, "We can't go on touring forever&nbsp;... it could be open-ended, but it will have a finality to it".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28087350|title=The Who say UK tour begins 'long goodbye'|work=BBC News|first=Tim|last=Masters|date=30 June 2014|access-date=19 September 2014|archive-date=27 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927021629/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28087350|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kenney Jones reunited with the Who in June 2014 at a charity gig for [[Prostate Cancer UK]] in his Hurtwood Polo Club, alongside [[Jeff Beck]], [[Procol Harum]] and [[Mike Rutherford]].<ref name="gs" /> Later that month, the Who announced plans for a world tour with a possible accompanying album.<ref name="rs2015">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6055501/the-who-world-tour-50th-anniversary-new-album-details |title=The Who Launching World Tour This Year and 'Hoping' for New Album |last=Gallo |first=Phil |date=16 April 2014 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=21 April 2020 |archive-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920175027/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6055501/the-who-world-tour-50th-anniversary-new-album-details |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/10935153/The-Who-announce-50th-anniversary-goodbye-tour.html|title=The Who announce 50th anniversary 'goodbye' tour|first=Anita|last=Singh|date=30 June 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=17 September 2014|archive-date=21 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021000829/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/10935153/The-Who-announce-50th-anniversary-goodbye-tour.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In September, The Who released the song "[[Be Lucky]]", which was included on the compilation ''[[The Who Hits 50! (album)|The Who Hits 50!]]'' in October.<ref name="BBC News" /> That November, the group released a virtual reality app co-designed by Daltrey's son, Jamie, featuring events and images from the band's history.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/6312181/the-who-new-app-greatest-hits-virtual-reality|title=The Who Announce New App, Preview Foray Into Virtual Reality|first=Paul|last=Sexton|magazine=Billboard|date=10 November 2014|access-date=25 November 2014|archive-date=13 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113000425/http://www.billboard.com/articles/6312181/the-who-new-app-greatest-hits-virtual-reality|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Who headlined 2015's [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] Festival in June, and two days later, the [[Glastonbury Festival]]. Townshend suggested to ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'' that it could be the group's last UK gig.<ref name=mojo2015>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.mojo4music.com/20712/pete-townshend-the-who-exclusive/|title=Pete Townshend: "I Think The Who Will Stop After This Year"|magazine=Mojo|date=29 June 2015|access-date=29 June 2015|archive-date=4 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204210612/http://www.mojo4music.com/20712/pete-townshend-the-who-exclusive/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/the-who-to-headline-sunday-night-at-glastonbury-2015/|title=The Who to Headline Sunday at Glastonbury Festival 2015|publisher=Glastonbury Festivals|date=6 May 2015|access-date=6 May 2015|archive-date=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507044936/http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/the-who-to-headline-sunday-night-at-glastonbury-2015/|url-status=live}}</ref> To coincide with the Who's 50th anniversary, all studio albums, and the new compilation ''The Who Hits 50!'', were reissued on vinyl.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Who Hits Vinyl!|url=http://thewho.com/hits-vinyl/|website=thewho.com|date=27 January 2015|access-date=10 May 2015|archive-date=6 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406084702/http://thewho.com/hits-vinyl/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2015, all remaining US tour dates were cancelled after Daltrey contracted [[viral meningitis]]. Then Townshend promised the band would come back "stronger than ever".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/19/roger-daltrey-meningitis-puts-the-who-tour-hold|title=Roger Daltrey's meningitis puts The Who's tour on hold|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 September 2015|access-date=24 September 2015|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925131108/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/19/roger-daltrey-meningitis-puts-the-who-tour-hold|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Who embarked on the [[Back to the Who Tour 51!]] in 2016, a continuation of the previous year's tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewho.com/back-tour-2016/ |title=Back to the Who Tour 2016 |publisher=The Who Official Website |date=3 May 2016 |access-date=19 July 2016 |archive-date=17 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617054327/https://www.thewho.com/back-tour-2016/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://wror.com/2016/05/03/89061/ |title=The Who Heading Back On the Road |publisher=WROR |date=3 May 2016 |access-date=19 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701154349/http://wror.com/2016/05/03/89061/ |archive-date=1 July 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This included a return visit to the Isle of Wight Festival (at the Seaclose Park in Newport) on 11 June opening date. After 13 concerts, it concluded with a performance at the [[Desert Trip]] festival at the [[Empire Polo Club]] in [[Indio, California]] on 16 October.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thewho.com/the-who-to-return-to-the-isle-of-wight-festival/|title=The Who to Return to the Isle of Wight Festival|date=17 March 2016|publisher=The Who (official website)|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-date=28 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728230404/http://www.thewho.com/the-who-to-return-to-the-isle-of-wight-festival/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="axs.com The Who Tommy">{{cite web |url=http://www.axs.com/uk/series/2810/the-who-2017-tommy-and-more-tickets?skin=aegliveuk |title=The Who 2017 – Tommy and More |date=July 2016 |website=axs.com |access-date=27 July 2016 |archive-date=16 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916115139/http://www.axs.com/uk/series/2810/the-who-2017-tommy-and-more-tickets?skin=aegliveuk |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="thewho.com Tommy 2017">{{cite web |url=http://www.thewho.com/premiere-new-acoustic-presentation-tommy-teenage-cancer-trust-royal-albert-hall-30-march-1-april-2017/ |title=The Who to Premiere a New Acoustic Presentation of 'Tommy' at Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 30 March / 1 April 2017 |date=27 July 2016 |website=thewho.com |access-date=27 July 2016 |archive-date=30 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730172246/http://www.thewho.com/premiere-new-acoustic-presentation-tommy-teenage-cancer-trust-royal-albert-hall-30-march-1-april-2017/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In November, The Who announced that five UK dates the following April (previously scheduled for that August and September) would include a full live performance of ''Tommy''. The five-date tour was renamed "[[2017 Tommy & More]]" and included the largest selections from the album since 1989.<ref name="teamrock.com 2017 Tommy & More">{{Citation |last=Lach |first=Stef |url=http://teamrock.com/news/2016-11-23/the-who-to-perform-tommy-in-full-on-2017-uk-tour |date=23 November 2016 |title=The Who to perform Tommy in full on 2017 UK tour – The Who announce that 5 UK dates scheduled for April [2017] will include a performance of classic album Tommy in full |website=teamrock.com |access-date=24 November 2016 |archive-date=24 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124122745/http://teamrock.com/news/2016-11-23/the-who-to-perform-tommy-in-full-on-2017-uk-tour |url-status=live }}</ref> Two preliminary concerts at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust on 30 March and 1 April featured ''Tommy'' in full.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Who Concert Guide 2017|url=http://www.thewholive.net/concert/concert_list.php?Tag=&Monat=&Jahr=2017&city=City&song=Song|access-date=11 January 2019|date=11 January 2019|archive-date=12 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112095043/http://www.thewholive.net/concert/concert_list.php?Tag=&Monat=&Jahr=2017&city=City&song=Song|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2019, the band announced the [[Moving On! Tour]],<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Green |first1=Andy |title=The Who Plot Symphonic U.S. Arena Tour, New Studio Album for 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-who-plot-symphonic-u-s-arena-tour-new-studio-album-for-2019-777375/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=11 January 2019 |date=11 January 2019 |archive-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111163354/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-who-plot-symphonic-u-s-arena-tour-new-studio-album-for-2019-777375/ |url-status=live }}</ref> followed by their first studio album in thirteen years, ''[[Who (album)|Who]]'', to critical and commercial success.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/listen-to-the-whos-new-single-all-this-music-must-fade/ |title=The Who to Release New Album 'Who' in November; 'Ball and Chain' Single Available |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=13 September 2019 |access-date=28 May 2021 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126131713/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/listen-to-the-whos-new-single-all-this-music-must-fade/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== ''The Who Hits Back'' and ''The Song Is Over''====
[[File:WhoPryzm140220-18 (49646939258).jpg|thumb|The Who performing in February 2020]]
In February 2022, the band announced they would embark on a new North American tour entitled the Who Hits Back beginning 22 April 2022 in [[Hollywood, Florida]] and concluding 5 November 2022 in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]].<ref>{{cite web|last=DeSantis|first=Rachel|date=7 February 2022|title=The Who Announce New North American Tour: 'We Are Thrilled,' Says Roger Daltrey|url=https://people.com/music/the-who-announce-new-north-american-tour/|access-date=11 February 2022|website=People}}</ref> Shortly afterwards, Starkey left the band after a dispute over his playing style at a [[Royal Albert Hall]] gig.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/apr/16/the-who-appear-to-fire-drummer-zak-starkey-over-royal-albert-hall-performance|title=The Who appear to fire drummer Zak Starkey over Royal Albert Hall performance|newspaper=The Guardian|date=16 April 2025|access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> Starkey stated that he was "surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night" but that he would "remain their biggest fan".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/zak-starkey-firing-from-the-who-1235319105/|title=Zak Starkey Breaks Silence on Firing from The Who: 'I'm Surprised and Saddened'|first=Andy|last=Greene|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=16 April 2025|access-date=17 April 2025}}</ref> However, Townshend clarified a few days later that there had been a miscommunication and that Starkey would remain in the group.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/zak-starkey-back-the-who-pete-townshend-1235321402/|title=Zak Is Back, The Who's Pete Townshend Says: 'Not Being Asked to Step Down'|first=Althea|last=Legaspi|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=19 April 2025|access-date=19 April 2025}}</ref> The band announced their North American tour in mid-2025 would be their last.<ref name="Greene-2025">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-who-song-is-over-farewell-tour-1235333873/|title=The Who Announce 'The Song Is Over' North American Farewell Tour|first=Andy|last=Greene|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=8 May 2025|access-date=8 May 2025}}</ref>

Starkey was fired in May 2025, to be replaced by [[Scott Devours]] (who had played in Daltrey's solo touring band) for the remainder of the year; Starkey remarked he had been fired.<ref name=Kreps>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-who-part-ways-drummer-zak-starkey-again-farewell-tour-1235342140/|title=The Who Part Ways With Drummer Zak Starkey (Again) Ahead of Farewell Tour|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=18 May 2025|access-date=19 May 2025}}</ref> The band released a formal announcement reiterating their upcoming retirement and that Starkey "needs to devote all his energy" towards his other projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2308488/the-who-fire-zak-starkey-again/news/|title=The Who Fire Zak Starkey Again|first=Abby|last=Jones|work=Stereogum|date=18 May 2025|access-date=19 May 2025}}</ref>

== Musical style and equipment ==
{{See also|The Who's musical equipment}}
{{Quote box
 | quote = "The music of The Who can only be called rock & roll&nbsp;... it is neither derivative of folk music nor the blues; the primary influence is rock & roll itself."
 | source = — [[Jann Wenner]]{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=89}}
 | align = right
 | width = 25em
}}
The Who are primarily a rock band, yet have taken influence from other styles of music throughout their career. The original group played a mixture of [[trad jazz]] and contemporary pop hits as the Detours, and R&B in 1963.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=22, 26}} They moved to a mod sound the following year, particularly after hearing the Small Faces fuse Motown with a harsher R&B sound.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|pp=38–39}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Garage Rock and Its Roots: Musical Rebels and the Drive for Individuality|url=https://archive.org/details/garagerockitsroo00eric|url-access=registration|first=Eric James|last=Abbey|page=[https://archive.org/details/garagerockitsroo00eric/page/38 38]|publisher=McFarland|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7864-5125-8}}</ref> The group's early work was geared towards singles, though it was not straightforward pop. In 1967, Townshend coined the term "[[power pop]]" to describe the Who's style.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=253}} Like their contemporaries, the group were influenced by the arrival of Hendrix, particularly after the Who and the Experience met at Monterey.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=189}} This and lengthy touring strengthened the band's sound. In the studio, they began to develop softer pieces, particularly from ''Tommy'' onwards,{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=232}} and turned their attention towards albums more than singles.{{sfn|Campbell|2012|p=239}}

{{listen|filename=Won't Get Fooled Again.ogg|title="Won't Get Fooled Again"|description=The closing section of "[[Won't Get Fooled Again]]" merges Townshend's synthesised organ with power chords, Moon's drum fills and "the greatest scream of a career".{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=388}}}}
From the early 1970s, the band's sound turned more to [[art rock]] and [[hard rock]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inspired by The Who |url=https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/inspired-by-the-who/pl.01ba33f34a1c4c04a47394fb0bd23f46 |access-date=June 7, 2026 |website=[[Apple Music]]}}</ref> including epic compositions and synthesisers, particularly on ''Who's Next'' and ''Quadrophenia''.{{sfn|Atkins|2000|p=177}} Although groups had used synthesisers before, the Who were one of the first to integrate the sound into a basic rock structure.{{sfn|Atkins|2000|p=140}} In ''By Numbers'' the group's style had scaled back to more standard rock,{{sfn|Atkins|2000|p=222}} but synthesisers regained prominence on ''Face Dances''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Who: The Complete Guide to Their Music|first1=Chris|last1=Charlesworth|first2=Ed|last2=Hanel|page=92|publisher=Omnibus Press|year=2004|isbn=978-1-84449-428-6}}</ref>

Townshend and Entwistle were instrumental in making extreme volumes and [[Distortion (music)|distortion]] standard rock practices.{{sfn|Atkins|2000|pp=14, 16}} The Who were early adopters of [[Marshall Amplification]]. Entwistle was the first member to get two 4×12 [[Instrument amplifier#Standard amp|speaker cabinets]], quickly followed by Townshend. The group used [[audio feedback|feedback]] as part of their guitar sound, both live and in the studio.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=43}}{{sfn|Harison|2014|p=199}} In 1967, Townshend changed to using Sound City amplifiers, customised by Dave Reeves, then in 1970 to [[Hiwatt]].<ref name="drozdowski" /> The group were the first to use 1000-watt [[PA systems]] for live gigs, which led to competition from bands such as the Rolling Stones and [[Pink Floyd]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec04/articles/iow.htm|title=The Isle Of Wight Festival Sound|first=Daniel|last=James|magazine=[[Sound on Sound]]|date=December 2004|access-date=29 September 2014|archive-date=5 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605021224/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec04/articles/iow.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Throughout their careers, the members of the Who have said their live sound has never been captured as they wished on record.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=2}} Live gigs and the audience have always been important to the group. "Irish" Jack Lyons said, "The Who weren't a joke, they were fucking real, and so were we".{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=9}}

=== Vocals ===
Daltrey initially based his style on Motown and rock and roll,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=43}} but from ''Tommy'' onwards he tackled a wider range of styles.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=328}} His trademark sound with the band, as noted in 1983, has been a characteristic scream, as heard at the end of "Won't Get Fooled Again".{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=388, 496}}

Group backing vocals are prominent in the Who. After "I Can't Explain" used session men for backing vocals, Townshend and Entwistle resolved to do better themselves on subsequent releases, producing strong backing harmonies.<ref>{{cite book|title=Please Please Me : Sixties British Pop, Inside Out: Sixties British Pop, Inside Out|first=Gordon|last=Thompson|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2008|page=95|isbn=978-0-19-971555-8}}</ref> Daltrey, Townshend and Entwistle sang lead on various songs, and occasionally Moon joined in. ''Who's Next'' featured Daltrey and Townshend sharing the lead vocals on several songs, and biographer Dave Marsh considers the contrast between Daltrey's strong, guttural tone and Townshend's higher and gentler sound to be one of the album's highlights.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=386}}

Daltrey's voice is negatively affected by [[marijuana]] smoke, to which he says he is [[allergic]]. On 20 May 2015, during a Who concert at [[Nassau Coliseum]], he smelled a joint burning and told the smoker to put it out or "the show will be over". The fan obliged, without taking Pete Townshend's advice that "the quickest way" to extinguish a joint is "up your fucking arse".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2015/05/the-who-roger-daltrey-threat-cancel-concert-smelling-weed-pot/|title=The Who's Roger Daltrey Threatens to Cancel Concert After Smelling Weed|work=Spin|date=22 May 2015|access-date=23 May 2015|archive-date=24 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524023410/http://www.spin.com/2015/05/the-who-roger-daltrey-threat-cancel-concert-smelling-weed-pot/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/the-who-hits-50-at-nassau-coliseum-smoke-impacts-roger-daltrey-s-voice-b27939|title=The Who Hits 50 at Nassau Coliseum: Smoke impacts Roger Daltrey's voice|first=Glenn|last=Gamboa|work=Newsday|date=21 May 2015 |access-date=23 May 2015|archive-date=24 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524033849/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/the-who-hits-50-at-nassau-coliseum-smoke-impacts-roger-daltrey-s-voice-1.10457387|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Guitars ===
[[File:Stuff from The Who (14165151158).jpg|thumb|A selection of instruments used by the Who, including a [[Rickenbacker]] and [[Gibson SG Special]] guitar, and Moon's "Pictures of Lily" drum kit from [[Premier drums|Premier]]|alt=Collection of Who memorabilia including guitars and clothes]]
Townshend considered himself less technical than guitarists such as [[Eric Clapton]] and [[Jeff Beck]] and wanted to stand out visually instead.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=43}} His playing style evolved from the banjo, favouring [[Downpicking|down strokes]] and using a combination of the [[plectrum]] and [[fingerpicking]]. His rhythm playing frequently used [[seventh chord]]s and [[suspended fourth]]s,<ref name="drozdowski">{{cite web|url=http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/Earthshaking-Sound-of-Who-Era-Pete-Townshend.aspx|title=The Earthshaking Sound of Who-Era Pete Townshend|first=Ted|last=Drozdowski|publisher=[[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]]|date=16 May 2013|access-date=29 September 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006151532/http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/Earthshaking-Sound-of-Who-Era-Pete-Townshend.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> and he is associated with the [[power chord]], an easy-to-finger chord built from the [[root (chord)|root]] and [[fifth (chord)|fifth]]{{sfn|Aledort|1994|p=57}} that has since become a fundamental part of the rock guitar vocabulary.{{sfn|DiPerna|1994|p=47}} Townshend also produced noises by manipulating controls on his guitar and by allowing the instrument to feedback.{{sfn|DiPerna|1994|p=44}}

In the group's early career, Townshend favoured [[Rickenbacker]] guitars as they allowed him to fret rhythm guitar chords easily and move the neck back and forwards to create [[vibrato]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The History of Rickenbacker Guitars|first=Richard|last=Smith|publisher=Centerstream Publications|year=1987|pages=81–82|isbn=978-0-931759-15-4}}</ref> From 1968 to 1973, he favoured a [[Gibson SG Special]] live,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/SG/Gibson-USA/50th-Anniversary-Pete-Townshend-SG.aspx|title=50th Anniversary Pete Townshend SG|publisher=Gibson|access-date=20 September 2013|archive-date=10 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910010558/http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/SG/Gibson-USA/50th-Anniversary-Pete-Townshend-SG.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> and later used customised [[Gibson Les Paul|Les Pauls]] in different tunings.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/20-iconic-guitars-20120523/pete-townshends-5-gibson-les-paul-0875883|title=20 Iconic Guitars : Pete Townshend's #5 Gibson Les Paul|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=23 May 2012|access-date=29 September 2014|archive-date=9 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009182530/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/20-iconic-guitars-20120523/pete-townshends-5-gibson-les-paul-0875883|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Listen|filename=Pinball Wizard.ogg|title="Pinball Wizard"|description=The opening of "[[Pinball Wizard]]" demonstrates Townshend's acoustic guitar with a flamenco influence.}}
In the studio for ''Who's Next'' and thereafter, Townshend used a 1959 [[Gretsch 6120]] Chet Atkins hollow-body guitar, a [[Fender Bandmaster]] amp and an Edwards [[volume pedal]], all gifts from [[Joe Walsh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/myth-busters-townshend-415.aspx|title=Myth Busters: Pete Townshend's Recording Secrets|first=Dave|last=Hunter|publisher=Gibson|date=15 April 2009|access-date=29 September 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006081848/http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/myth-busters-townshend-415.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>  Townshend started his career with an acoustic guitar{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=17}} and has regularly recorded and written with a [[Gibson J-200]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=News Line|first=Christopher|last=Walsh|magazine=Billboard|date=14 February 2004|page=8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uw8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22The+who%22+gibson+J-200&pg=PA8|access-date=22 November 2020|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815195109/https://books.google.com/books?id=uw8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22The+who%22+gibson+J-200&pg=PA8|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Bass ===
A distinctive part of the original band's sound was Entwistle's lead bass playing, while Townshend concentrated on rhythm and chords.{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=24}}{{sfn|Campbell|2012|p=239}} Entwistle's was the first popular use of [[Rotosound]] strings in 1966, trying to find a piano-like sound.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Bass Handbook: A complete Guide for Mastering the Bass Guitar|first=Adrian|last=Ashton|publisher=Backbeat Books|year=2006|page=42|isbn=978-1-4768-5301-7}}</ref> His bassline on "Pinball Wizard" was described by Who biographer John Atkins as "a contribution of its own without diminishing the guitar lines";{{sfn|Atkins|2000|p=116}} he described his part on "The Real Me" from ''Quadrophenia'', recorded in one take, as "a bass solo with vocals".{{sfn|Unterberger|2011|p=203}} Entwistle's basses include a "Frankenstein" assembled from five Fender [[Fender Precision Bass|Precision]] and [[Fender Jazz Bass|Jazz]] basses, and [[Warwick (guitar manufacturer)|Warwick]], [[Alembic Inc|Alembic]], and Status Graphite basses.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1420595/Entwistles-guitar-sale-to-include-his-pink-Frankenstein.html|title=Entwistle's guitar sale to include his pink Frankenstein|date=31 January 2003|first=Hugh|last=Davis|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=29 September 2014|archive-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008060908/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1420595/Entwistles-guitar-sale-to-include-his-pink-Frankenstein.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Drums ===
Moon further strengthened the reversal of traditional rock instrumentation by playing lead parts on his drums.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=88}} His style was at odds with British rock contemporaries such as [[the Kinks]]' [[Mick Avory]] and [[the Shadows]]' [[Brian Bennett]], who did not consider [[tom-toms]] necessary for rock music.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=109}} Moon used [[Premier Percussion|Premier]] kits starting in 1966. He avoided the [[hi-hat]], and concentrated on a mix of tom rolls and [[cymbal]]s.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=152}}

Jones' concise, supportive drumming style was in sharp contrast to Moon's. The Who were initially enthusiastic about working with a completely different drummer.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=539}} Townshend later stated, "we've never really been able to replace Keith"{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=543}} and Daltrey ultimately believed Jones was not right for the band, while still speaking highly of him as a friend and drummer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/the-who-kenney-jones/|title=The History of Kenney Jones' Time With The Who |website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=January 2016 }}</ref> Starkey knew Moon from childhood and Moon gave him his first drum kit.

Starkey has been praised for his playing style which echoes Moon's without being a copy.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=543}}<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2006/11/zak-starkey/| title=Channeling Keith and More| work=Modern Drummer| date=16 November 2006| access-date=2 November 2010| archive-date=14 April 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414105046/http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2006/11/zak-starkey/| url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Lyrics ===
Townshend focused on writing meaningful lyrics{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=8}} inspired by [[Bob Dylan]], whose words dealt with subjects other than boy–girl relationships that were common in rock music; in contrast to Dylan's intellectualism, Townshend believed his lyrics should be about things kids could relate to.{{sfn|DiPerna|1994|p=46}}  Townshend also cited the inspiration of [[Ray Davies]] of [[The Kinks]] for having inventing "a new kind of poetry and a new kind of language for pop writing that influenced me from the very, very, very beginning".<ref name="Rock Hist">{{cite video|year=1995 |title=The History of Rock 'n' Roll |medium=Television |publisher=Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution}}</ref> Early material focused on the frustration and anxiety shared by mod audiences,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=8}} which Townshend said was a result of "searching for {{interp|his|original=my}} niche".{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=118}}  By ''The Who Sell Out'', he began to work narrative and characters into songs,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=282}} which he fully developed by ''Tommy'', including spiritual themes influenced by Baba.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=318}} From the mid-1970s onwards, his songs tended to be more personal,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=460}} which influenced his decision to go solo.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|pp=518–519}}

Entwistle's songs, by contrast, typically feature [[black humour]] and darker themes.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=252}} His two contributions to ''Tommy'' ("Cousin Kevin" and "Fiddle About") appeared because Townshend did not believe he could write songs as "nasty" as Entwistle's.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=323}}

== Personal relationships ==
{{quote box|width=18em|align=right|quote="We're not mates at all."|source=—[[Roger Daltrey]], 1965{{sfn|Ewbank|Hildred|2012|p=28}}}}
{{quote box|width=18em|align=right|quote="I just couldn't get through to Pete and Roger. We have absolutely nothing in common apart from music."|source=—[[Keith Moon]], 1965{{sfn|Ewbank|Hildred|2012|p=28}}}}
The Who are perceived as having had a poor working relationship. In the original band, Doug Sandom acted as the peacemaker and settled disputes. Moon, by contrast, was as volatile as Daltrey and Townshend. Entwistle was too passive to become involved in arguments.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=87}} The group established their live reputation and stage show in part out of insecurity and aggression amongst its members,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=122}} and Townshend recalled that all decisions had to be made democratically "because we always disagreed".{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=140}}

The only genuine friendship in the band during the 1960s was between Entwistle and Moon. The pair enjoyed each other's sense of humour and shared a fondness for clubbing. Journalist Richard Green noted a "chemistry of playfullness that would go beyond playfullness".{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=126}} Their relationship diminished somewhat when Entwistle got married in 1967, though they still socialised on tour.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=189}} When Moon was destroying toilets in hotels, Entwistle admitted he "was standing behind him with the matches".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2002/jun/28/local/me-john28/2|title=John Entwistle, 57; Innovative Bass Player Co-Founded The Who |first=Geoff|last=Boucher|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=28 June 2002|access-date=6 December 2014|archive-date=22 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222125424/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/jun/28/local/me-john28/2|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The group regularly argued in the press,{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=140}} though Townshend said disputes were amplified in print and the group simply found it difficult to agree on things.<ref name="waddell">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EgHgDgiLzqMC&q=%22the+who%22+%22concert+for+new+york+city%22&pg=RA5-PA19|title=Q & A&nbsp;– Pete Townshend|first=Ray|last=Waddell|magazine=Billboard|date=9 January 2010|access-date=6 December 2014|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815195109/https://books.google.com/books?id=EgHgDgiLzqMC&q=%22the+who%22+%22concert+for+new+york+city%22&pg=RA5-PA19|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Tommy'' mutually benefitted Townshend and Daltrey's standing in the band because of the former's songwriting and the latter's stage presence, yet even this did not make them close friends.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=144}} The pair quarrelled, particularly in the mid-1970s, over the group's direction.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=426}} During his time with the band, Jones was subject to intermittent criticism from Daltrey.{{sfn|Marsh|1983|p=517}}

Entwistle's death in 2002 came as a shock to both Townshend and Daltrey, and caused them to re-evaluate their relationship. Townshend has said that he and Daltrey have since become close friends.<ref name="waddell" /> In 2015, Townshend confirmed their friendship was still strong, adding their acceptance of each other's differences "brought us to a really genuine and compassionate relationship, which can only be described as love".<ref name=mojo2015 />

== Legacy ==
{{quote box|align=right|width=20em|quote="The one thing that disgusts me about The Who is the way they smashed through every door in the uncharted hallway of rock 'n' roll without leaving much more than some debris for the rest of us to lay claim to."|source=—[[Eddie Vedder]]<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Substitute: The Songs of The Who|publisher=Edel Records|id=0126242ERE|year=2001}}</ref>}}

The Who are considered one of the most influential [[Rock music|rock]] bands of the 20th century.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29374342|title=The Who unveil first new song in eight years|publisher=BBC News|access-date=26 September 2014|archive-date=26 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926084437/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29374342|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Britannica vid">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/642975/the-Who|title=The Who|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|access-date=16 May 2008|archive-date=19 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619080347/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/642975/the-Who|url-status=live}}</ref> Their appearances at Monterey and Woodstock helped give them a reputation as one of the greatest live rock acts<ref name="webb">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2071810.stm|title=The how and why of The Who |first=Alex|last=Webb|publisher=BBC News|date=28 June 2002|access-date=29 September 2014|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608183807/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2071810.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and they have been credited with originating the "[[rock opera]]".<ref name="Britannica vid" />

The group's contributions to rock include "perfecting the [[power chord]]",<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pareles |first=Jon |editor-first1=Glenn |editor-last1=Pillsbury |date=2024 |title=Heavy metal in the United States |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/omo/9781561592630.013.90000349739 |journal=[[Grove Music Online]] |doi=10.1093/omo/9781561592630.013.90000349739 |isbn=978-1-56159-263-0 |quote=The Who perfected the power chord. |via=Wikipedia Library|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/jan/12/childprotection.society2|title=Power chord pioneer's artful life|first=Charles|last=Shaar Murray|newspaper=The Observer|date=12 January 2003|access-date=30 September 2013|archive-date=4 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104134239/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/jan/12/childprotection.society2|url-status=live}}</ref> [[guitar showmanship|windmill strum]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Legends of Rock Guitar: The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists|first1=Pete|last1=Prown|first2=Harvey|last2=Newquist|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|page=73|year=1997|isbn=978-0-7935-4042-6}}</ref> and the use of non-musical instrument noise such as feedback.{{sfn|DiPerna|1994|p=44}} The band influenced fashion from their earliest days with their embrace of [[pop art]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Art Into Pop|url=https://archive.org/details/artintopop00frith|url-access=registration|first1=Simon|last1=Frith|first2=Howard|last2=Horne|publisher=Methuen|page=[https://archive.org/details/artintopop00frith/page/101 101]|year=1987|isbn=978-0-416-41540-7}}</ref> and the use of the [[Union Jack]] for clothing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20966371|title=The union jack: A very complex flag|first=Richard|last=Cable|work=BBC News|date=10 January 2013|access-date=30 September 2013|archive-date=9 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609072140/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20966371|url-status=live}}</ref>  The guitar-smashing incident at the Railway Hotel in 1964 is one of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine's "50&nbsp;Moments That Changed the History of Rock 'n' Roll".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6085455/the_moments |title=50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock 'n' Roll |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=24 June 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101091918/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6085455/the_moments/ |archive-date=1 January 2009}}</ref>

[[Pink Floyd]] began to use feedback from their early shows in 1966, inspired by the Who, whom they considered a formative influence.{{sfn|Whiteley|2003|p=27}} Shortly after arriving in London in 1966, [[Jimi Hendrix]] visited Marshall's music shop demanding an amp setup like Townshend's{{sfn|DiPerna|1994|p=46}} and manipulated electronic noises in ways that Townshend had pioneered.{{sfn|DiPerna|1994|p=44}} [[The Beatles]] were fans and socialised with Moon in particular during the mid-1960s.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=127}} In 1965, [[Paul McCartney]] said the Who "are the most exciting thing around"{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=127}} and was inspired to write "[[Helter Skelter (song)|Helter Skelter]]" in the group's "heavy" style;{{sfn|MacDonald|1997|p=261}} [[John Lennon]] borrowed the acoustic guitar style in "Pinball Wizard" for "[[Polythene Pam]]".{{sfn|MacDonald|1997|p=319}} [[Ramones]] guitarist [[Johnny Ramone]] has stated that the Who was what first inspired him to make music and named their debut as one of his favorite albums.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Browne |first=David |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/04/15/read-ews-1990-interview-joey-ramone/ |title=State of the Art |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=15 April 2001 |access-date=3 November 2012 |archive-date=24 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524210459/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,106547,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The loud volume of the band's live show influenced the approach of hard rock and [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]].{{sfn|Knowles|2013|p=140}} A wide variety of [[proto-punk]], [[punk rock]], and [[alternative rock]] bands such as the [[MC5]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guitar.com/articles/wayne-kramer-and-mc5-still-kickin |title=Wayne Kramer and the MC5&nbsp;– Still Kickin' |publisher=Guitar.com |access-date=3 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129072237/http://www.guitar.com/articles/wayne-kramer-and-mc5-still-kickin |archive-date=29 November 2012 }}</ref> [[the Stooges]],<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Andy |last=Greene |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-stooges-ron-asheton-remembered-20090106 |title=The Stooges' Ron Asheton Remembered |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=6 January 2009 |access-date=27 July 2011 |archive-date=28 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628223156/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-stooges-ron-asheton-remembered-20090106 |url-status=live }}</ref> the Sex Pistols,{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=396}} [[the Clash]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=20531&source_type=A |title=The Who |publisher=The Kennedy Center |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224133639/http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=20531&source_type=A |archive-date=24 December 2013 }}</ref> [[Pearl Jam]] frontman [[Eddie Vedder]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Dave |date=16 May 2006 |title=Pearl Jam – Explore and Not Explode |url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/pearl-jam-explore-and-not-explode |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205075136/https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/pearl-jam-explore-and-not-explode |archive-date=5 February 2025 |access-date=3 May 2025 |website=[[The Skinny (magazine)|The Skinny]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brannigan |first=Paul |date=10 February 2022 |title=Watch Eddie Vedder hail The Beatles, The Who, Fugazi in cosy chat with Bruce Springsteen |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/watch-eddie-vedder-hail-the-beatles-the-who-fugazi-in-cosy-chat-with-bruce-springsteen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125232917/https://www.loudersound.com/news/watch-eddie-vedder-hail-the-beatles-the-who-fugazi-in-cosy-chat-with-bruce-springsteen |archive-date=25 January 2025 |access-date=3 May 2025 |website=[[Classic Rock Magazine]]}}</ref> [[Green Day]] frontman [[Billie Joe Armstrong]],<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Montgomery |first1=James |last2=Stolz |first2=Kim |date=11 May 2009 |title=Green Day On 21st Century Breakdown: 'We're Capable Of Doing Anything' |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1611003/20090508/green_day.jhtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514134007/https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1611003/20090508/green_day.jhtml |archive-date=14 May 2009 |access-date=3 May 2025 |website=[[MTV]]}}</ref> and [[Melvins]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Rory |date=2023 |title=The Stink of Influence: In Conversation with The Melvins' Dale Crover |url=https://astralnoizeuk.com/2023/01/16/the-stink-of-influence-in-conversation-with-the-melvins-dale-crover/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004172336/https://astralnoizeuk.com/2023/01/16/the-stink-of-influence-in-conversation-with-the-melvins-dale-crover/ |archive-date=4 October 2023 |access-date=8 January 2025 |website=Astral Noize |quote=I would say [The Who] are probably even a bigger influence on us than people realise. Certainly, that’s one of [[Buzz Osborne|Buzz]]'s, if not his very favourite band, and definitely I like Keith Moon.}}</ref> cite the Who as an influence. An early influence on [[Queen (band)|Queen]], guitarist [[Brian May]] referred to the Who as being "among our favourite groups".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hodkinson |first1=Mark |title=Queen: The Early Years |date=2009 |publisher=Omnibus Press}}</ref> The Who inspired [[mod revival]] bands, particularly [[the Jam]],<ref>[[Erlewine, Stephen Thomas]]. "[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=the-jam-p4585/biography|pure_url=yes}} The Jam: Biography]". AllMusic.</ref> which helped other groups influenced by the Who become popular.<ref name="webb" /> The Who influenced hard rock bands such as [[Guns N' Roses]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/interviews/a26336/slash-best-guitarists/|title=Slash Gives Us His Official List of the Greatest Guitarists Ever|date=17 September 2014|magazine=Esquire|access-date=4 December 2016|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220043822/http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/interviews/a26336/slash-best-guitarists/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the mid-1990s, [[Britpop]] bands such as [[Blur (band)|Blur]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Azad |first=Bharat |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2007/aug/14/isdamonalbarnthenewdavid |title=Is Damon Albarn the new David Bowie? |newspaper=The Guardian |date=14 August 2007 |access-date=3 November 2012 |archive-date=24 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224102135/https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2007/aug/14/isdamonalbarnthenewdavid |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] were influenced by the Who.<ref>{{cite book|title=Pop Cult: Religion and Popular Music|first=Rupert|last=Till|publisher=A&C Black|year=2010|page=87|isbn=978-0-8264-4592-6}}</ref> The Who have also influenced [[pop rock]] band [[Panic! at the Disco]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Panic at the Disco's Secret Influences|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=28 October 2012|access-date=16 February 2016|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/panic-at-the-discos-secret-influences-19691231|archive-date=6 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206180429/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/panic-at-the-discos-secret-influences-19691231|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Who have inspired many tribute bands; Daltrey has endorsed the Whodlums, who raise money for the [[Teenage Cancer Trust]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Roger Daltrey backs Newcastle tribute band |date=1 September 2010 |first=Katie |last=Davies |work=Evening Chronicle |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/09/01/roger-daltrey-backs-newcastle-tribute-band-72703-27178948 |location=Newcastle upon Tyne |access-date=18 September 2012 |archive-date=10 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710070124/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/09/01/roger-daltrey-backs-newcastle-tribute-band-72703-27178948/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many bands have covered Who songs; [[Elton John]]'s version of "Pinball Wizard" reached No.&nbsp;7 in the UK.<ref>{{cite book|title=Rock movers & shakers|first1=Dafydd |last1=Rees|first2=Luke|last2=Crampton|year=1991|publisher=ABC-CLIO|page=278|isbn=978-0-87436-661-7}}</ref>

=== Media ===
During the Who's hiatuses in the 1980s and 90s, Townshend developed his skills as a music publisher to be financially successful from the Who without recording or touring. He countered criticism of "selling out" by saying that licensing the songs to other media allows a wider exposure and widens the group's appeal.<ref name="waddell" />

The American police procedural franchise ''CSI'' (''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'', ''[[CSI: Miami]]'', ''[[CSI: NY]]'', ''[[CSI: Cyber]]'' and ''[[CSI: Vegas]]'') feature Who songs as theme music, "[[Who Are You (The Who song)|Who Are You]]", "Won't Get Fooled Again", "Baba O'Riley" and "I Can See for Miles" respectively.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VbJJhtvGVy0C&q=%22the+who%22+csi&pg=PA110|title=Reading CSI: Crime TV Under the Microscope|first=Michael|last=Allen|page=110|publisher=I.B.Tauris|year=2007|isbn=978-1-84511-428-2|access-date=22 November 2020|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815195110/https://books.google.com/books?id=VbJJhtvGVy0C&q=%22the+who%22+csi&pg=PA110|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Paton|first=Jamie|url=http://www.watchingthewasteland.com/2014/05/10/csi-cyber/|title=The CSI Franchise Rises Again With CSI: Cyber|publisher=Watching the Wastland|date=10 May 2014|access-date=26 May 2014|archive-date=27 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527220532/http://www.watchingthewasteland.com/2014/05/10/csi-cyber/|url-status=live}}</ref> The group's songs have featured in other popular TV series such as ''[[The Simpsons]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/the-simpsons/a-tale-of-two-springfields-3805/ |title=''The Simpsons''&nbsp;– 'A Tale of Two Springfields' |publisher=TV.com |access-date=3 September 2012 |archive-date=18 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118034046/http://www.tv.com/shows/the-simpsons/a-tale-of-two-springfields-3805/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'', which had an episode where the presenters were tasked with being roadies for the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.topgear.com/uk/tv-show/series-8/episode-8|title=All the vans : Series 8, Episode 8|publisher=Top Gear (official website)|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927133219/http://www.topgear.com/uk/tv-show/series-8/episode-8|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rock-oriented films such as ''[[Almost Famous]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fBEEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22the+who%22+%22almost+famous%22&pg=PA94|title='Almost Famous' CD A Souvenir of the '70s|first=Carla|last=Hay|magazine=Billboard|date=2 September 2000|page=94|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815195110/https://books.google.com/books?id=fBEEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22the+who%22+%22almost+famous%22&pg=PA94|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[School of Rock]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IBEEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22the+who%22+%22school+of+rock%22+%22jack+black%22&pg=PA18|title=Black Back From Media Blitz, Really Wants To play Ozzy|first=Carla|last=Hay|magazine=Billboard|date=25 October 2003|page=18|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=17 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217074751/https://books.google.com/books?id=IBEEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22the+who%22+%22school+of+rock%22+%22jack+black%22&pg=PA18|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny]]'' refer to the band and feature their songs,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mUMLAAAAQBAJ&q=%22the+who%22+%22tenacious+d%22+%22pick+of+destiny%22&pg=PA270|title=Cengage Advantage Books: Visual Storytelling|first=Ronald|last=Osgood|publisher=Cengage Learning|isbn=978-1-285-60709-2|date=29 January 2013|access-date=22 November 2020|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815195138/https://books.google.com/books?id=mUMLAAAAQBAJ&q=%22the+who%22+%22tenacious+d%22+%22pick+of+destiny%22&pg=PA270|url-status=live}}</ref> and other films have used the band's material in their soundtracks, including ''[[Apollo 13 (film)|Apollo 13]]'' (which used "I Can See For Miles")<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/apollo-13-mw0000644960|title=Music from the Motion Picture Apollo 13|first=Stephen Thomas|last=Erlewine|website=AllMusic|access-date=24 September 2013|archive-date=20 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120021844/http://www.allmusic.com/album/apollo-13-mw0000644960|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me]]'' (which used a take of "My Generation" recorded for the BBC).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/austin-powers-the-spy-who-shagged-me-mw0000666856|title=Original soundtrack&nbsp;– ''Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged'' Me|first=Gina|last=Boldman|website=AllMusic|access-date=24 September 2013|archive-date=21 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821023243/http://www.allmusic.com/album/austin-powers-the-spy-who-shagged-me-mw0000666856|url-status=live}}</ref> Several of the band's tracks have appeared in the video game ''[[Rock Band (video game)|Rock Band]]'' and its sequels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/The+Who|title=The Who // Songs|publisher=Rock Band (official site)|access-date=24 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928042928/http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/The+Who|archive-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>

=== Awards and nominations ===
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by The Who}}
The Who have received many awards and accolades from the music industry for their recordings and their influence. They received Lifetime Achievement Awards [[Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music|from the British Phonographic Industry]] in 1988,<ref name="BPI">{{cite web |url=http://www.everyhit.com/awardbrit.html |title=BRIT Awards |publisher=Everyhit.com |access-date=24 November 2010 |archive-date=19 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419142717/http://www.everyhit.com/awardbrit.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award|from the Grammy Foundation]] in 2001.<ref name="Grammy">{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Awards/Lifetime_Awards |title=Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards |publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences |date=8 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826002047/http://www2.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Awards/Lifetime_Awards/|access-date=25 November 2014|archive-date=26 August 2010}}</ref>

The band were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1990 where their display describes them as "prime contenders, in the minds of many, for the title of World's Greatest Rock Band",<ref name="MTV Montgomery">{{cite web |last=Montgomery |first=James |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1556171/artists-that-never-had-1.jhtml |title=Always Second Place? David Bowie, Public Enemy, Kiss Never Topped Charts |publisher=MTV |date=3 April 2007 |access-date=3 November 2012 |archive-date=2 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702064036/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1556171/artists-that-never-had-1.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/the-who |title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |publisher=Rockhall.com |access-date=24 November 2010 |archive-date=17 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517061209/https://rockhall.com/inductees/the-who/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[UK Music Hall of Fame]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.everyhit.com/halloffame.html |title=UK Music Hall of Fame |publisher=Everyhit.com |date=11 November 2004 |access-date=24 November 2010 |archive-date=7 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407184638/http://www.everyhit.com/halloffame.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The single "My Generation" and the albums ''Tommy'' and ''Who's Next'' have each been inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award|title=Grammy Hall of Fame|publisher=Grammy Awards|date=18 October 2010|access-date=2 January 2019|archive-date=3 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403154648/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/hall-of-fame|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey received [[Kennedy Center Honors]] as members of the Who.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kennedy-center.org/pages/specialevents/honors/|title=Kennedy Center Honors|website=kennedy-center.org|access-date=2 January 2019|archive-date=31 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231192302/http://www.kennedy-center.org/pages/specialevents/honors/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, ''[[My Generation (album)|My Generation]]'' was selected for preservation in the United States [[National Recording Registry]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2009-06-09-recording-registry_N.htm?csp=34 |title=Etta James, The Who make National Recording Registry |newspaper=USA Today |date=9 June 2009 |access-date=24 November 2010 |first=Natasha T. |last=Metzler |archive-date=27 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727060224/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2009-06-09-recording-registry_N.htm?csp=34 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2003, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine{{'}}s [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]] list included ''[[Who's Next]]'' at number 28,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/whos-next-the-who-19691231|title=Who's Next ranked no. 28|publisher=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902125159/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/whos-next-the-who-19691231|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=2 September 2011}}</ref> ''[[Tommy (The Who album)|Tommy]]'' at number 96,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/tommy-the-who-19691231|title=Tommy ranked no. 96|publisher=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902080013/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/tommy-the-who-19691231|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=2 September 2011}}</ref> ''[[The Who Sell Out]]'' at number 113,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/the-who-sell-out-the-who-19691231|title=Sell Out ranked no. 113|publisher=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902080003/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/the-who-sell-out-the-who-19691231|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=2 September 2011}}</ref> ''[[Live at Leeds]]'' at number 170,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/live-at-leeds-the-who-19691231|title=Live at Leeds ranked no. 170|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902024740/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/live-at-leeds-the-who-19691231|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=2 September 2011}}</ref> ''[[My Generation (album)|My Generation]]'' at number 236,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/the-who-sings-my-generation-the-who-19691231|title=My Generation ranked no. 236|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902125119/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/the-who-sings-my-generation-the-who-19691231|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=2 September 2011}}</ref> ''[[Quadrophenia]]'' at number 266,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/quadrophenia-the-who-19691231|title=Quadrophenia ranked no. 266|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902075756/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/quadrophenia-the-who-19691231|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=2 September 2011}}</ref> and ''[[A Quick One]]'' at number 383.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/a-quick-one-happy-jack-the-who-19691231|title=A Quick One ranked no. 383|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902124005/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/a-quick-one-happy-jack-the-who-19691231|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=2 September 2011}}</ref> And in 2004, on their [[500 Greatest Songs of All Time]] list, ''Rolling Stone'' included "[[My Generation]]" at number 11,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page|title=Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time 2004 1–100|publisher=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619072533/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> "[[Won't Get Fooled Again]]" at number 133,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/2|title=Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time 2004 101–200|publisher=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620035744/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/2|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=20 June 2008}}</ref> "[[I Can See for Miles]]" at number 258,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/3|title=Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time 2004 201–300|date=6 September 2007 |publisher=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619105433/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/3|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> "[[Baba O'Riley]]" at number 340, and "[[I Can't Explain]]" at number 371.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/4|title=Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time 2004 301–400|publisher=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621075825/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/4|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=21 June 2008}}</ref> The same publication ranked them the 29th greatest artist of all time. [[Eddie Vedder]] wrote in tribute: <blockquote> The Who began as spectacle. They became spectacular. Early on, the band was in pure demolition mode; later, on albums like ''Tommy'' and ''Quadrophenia'', it coupled that raw energy with precision and desire to complete musical experiments on a grand scale. They asked, "What were the limits of rock & roll? Could the power of music actually change the way you feel?" Pete Townshend demanded that there be spiritual value in music. They were an incredible band whose main songwriter happened to be on a quest for reason and harmony in his life. He shared that journey with the listener, becoming an inspiration for others to seek out their own path. They did all this while also being in the ''Guinness Book of World Records'' as the world's loudest band...

The songwriter-listener relationship grows deeper after all the years. Pete saw that a celebrity in rock is charged by the audience with a function, like, "You stand there and we will know ourselves". Not "You stand there and we will pay you loads of money to keep us entertained as we eat our oysters". He saw the connection could be profound. He also realized the audience may say, "When we're finished with you, we'll replace you with somebody else". For myself and so many others (including shopkeepers, foremen, professionals, bellboys, gravediggers, directors, musicians), they won't be replaced. Yes, Pete, it's true, music can change you.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-artists-147446/the-who-3-91715/|title= The Who ranked 29th greatest artist|magazine= Rolling Stone|date= 3 December 2010|access-date= 11 July 2020|archive-date= 4 August 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200804052329/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-artists-147446/the-who-3-91715/|url-status= live}}</ref></blockquote>

== Band members ==
{{Main|List of The Who band members}}
[[File:Mod symbol.svg|thumb|200px|alt=Red, white, and blue circles|The Who's mod [[roundel]]]]

=== Current members ===
* [[Roger Daltrey]]&nbsp;– lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, percussion, ukulele (1964–1983, 1985, 1988–1989, 1996–present)
* [[Pete Townshend]]&nbsp;– lead and rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals, keyboards (1964–1983, 1985, 1988–1989, 1996–present)

=== Current touring musicians ===
* [[Jody Linscott]]&nbsp;– percussion (1989, 1996–1997, 2025–present)<ref name="ucrlineup">{{cite web |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/who-farewell-tour-2025/ |title=The Who Kicks Off Farewell Tour in Italy: Videos and Set List |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=21 July 2025 |access-date=31 July 2025}}</ref>
* [[Simon Townshend]]&nbsp;– guitar, vocals, mandolin (1996–1997, 2002–present)<ref name="ucrlineup"/>
* [[Loren Gold]]&nbsp;– keyboards, backing vocals (2012–present)<ref name="ucrlineup"/>
* [[Scott Devours]]&nbsp;– drums, percussion (2013, 2025–present)<ref name="Kreps" /><ref name="ucrlineup" />
* [[Jon Button]]&nbsp;– bass guitar (2017–present)<ref name="ucrlineup"/>
* John Hogg&nbsp;– backing vocals, percussion (2025–present)<ref name="ucrlineup"/>

=== Former members ===<!-- The Who's personnel page does not list members of the Detours as members of "The Who". Unless this is changed, Colin Dawson, Scot Halpin and Gabby Connolly should not be included here. -->
* [[John Entwistle]]&nbsp;– bass guitar, horns, backing and lead vocals (1964–1983, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1996–2002; ''his death'')
* [[Doug Sandom]]&nbsp;– drums (1964; ''died 2019'')
* [[Keith Moon]]&nbsp;– drums, backing and lead vocals (1964–1978; ''his death'')
* [[Kenney Jones]]&nbsp;– drums (1978–1983, 1985, 1988)

=== Former touring musicians ===
''For a complete list, see [[List of The Who band members#Former touring members|former touring members]]''
* [[John Bundrick]] – keyboards (1979–1981, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1996–2011)
* [[Tim Gorman]] – keyboards (1982)
* [[Steve Bolton]] – guitar (1989)
* [[Simon Phillips (drummer)|Simon Phillips]] – drums (1989)
* [[Zak Starkey]]&nbsp;– drums, percussion (1996–2025)<ref name=Kreps />
* [[Pino Palladino]] – bass guitar (2002–2016)
* John Corey – keyboards, backing vocals (2012–2017)
* [[Frank Simes]] – keyboards, mandolin, banjo, percussion, backing vocals, musical director (2012–2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thewho.com/history/current-touring-band/|title=Current touring band|publisher=The Who (official website)|access-date=25 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315065515/http://thewho.com/history/current-touring-band/|archive-date=15 March 2015}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Main|The Who discography|List of songs recorded by the Who}}
* ''[[My Generation (album)|My Generation]]'' (1965)
* ''[[A Quick One]]'' (1966)
* ''[[The Who Sell Out]]'' (1967)
* ''[[Tommy (The Who album)|Tommy]]'' (1969)
* ''[[Who's Next]]'' (1971)
* ''[[Quadrophenia]]'' (1973)
* ''[[The Who by Numbers]]'' (1975)
* ''[[Who Are You]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Face Dances]]'' (1981)
* ''[[It's Hard]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Endless Wire (The Who album)|Endless Wire]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Who (album)|Who]]'' (2019)

== Tours and performances ==
=== Headlining 1960s–1990s ===
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[The Who 1962–63 performances|1962–1963 performances]]
* [[Tommy Tour]]
* Quadrophenia 1973–1974 tour <small>(28 October 1973 – 24 February 1974)</small>
* [[The Who by Numbers Tour]]
* [[The Who Tour 1979|1979 tour]]
* [[The Who Tour 1980|1980 tour]]
* 1981 tour
* 1982 tour
* 1985 and 1988 reunions
* The Kids Are Alright Tour
* 1999 performances
{{colend}}

=== Headlining 2000s–2020s ===
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[The Who Tour 2000|2000 tour]]
* [[The Concert for New York City|2001 The Concert for New York City appearance]]
* 2002 tour
* 2004 tour
* [[Live 8|2005 Live 8 appearance]]
* [[The Who Tour 2006–2007|2006–2007 tour]]
* 2008–2009 tour
* [[Super Bowl XLIV halftime show]]
* 2010 performances
* 2011 performances
* [[Quadrophenia and More]]
* [[The Who Hits 50!]]
* [[Back to the Who Tour 51!]]
* [[2017 Tommy & More|2017 ''Tommy'' & More]] <small>(March – April 2017)</small>
* 2017 tour
* [[Moving On! Tour]] <small>(May – October 2019)</small>
* The Who Hits Back! <small>(April 2022 – August 2023)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewho.com/previous_gig_period/2022/ |title= The Who Official Website – 20s – Previous Gigs – 2022 |publisher=Thewho.com |access-date=29 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewho.com/previous_gig_period/2023/ |title= The Who Official Website – 20s – Previous Gigs – 2023 |publisher=Thewho.com |access-date=29 August 2024}}</ref>
* The Song Is Over: The North American Farewell Tour <small>(August – September 2025)</small>
{{colend}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite magazine|last=Aledort|first=Andy|title=Maximum Rock 'n' Roll|pages=57–63|magazine=[[Guitar World]]|date=June 1994}}
* {{cite book|last=Atkins |first=John| title=The Who on Record: A Critical History, 1963–1998| publisher=McFarland|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7864-0609-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Campbell|first=Michael|title=Popular Music in America:The Beat Goes On|publisher=Cengage|year=2012|isbn=978-0-8400-2976-8}}
* {{cite magazine|last=DiPerna|first=Alan|title=Not F-F-F-Fade Away|pages=40–50|magazine=[[Guitar World]]|date=June 1994}}
* {{cite book|title=Woodstock: Three Days that Rocked the World|first1=Mike|last1=Evans|first2=Paul|last2=Kingsbury|publisher=Sterling Publishing Company|year=2009|isbn=978-1-4027-6623-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/woodstockthreeda0000unse}}
* {{cite book|title=Roger Daltrey: The biography|first1=Tim|last1=Ewbank|first2=Stafford|last2=Hildred|publisher=Hachette UK|year=2012|isbn=978-1-4055-1845-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Fletcher|first=Tony|author-link=Tony Fletcher|title=Dear Boy: The Life of Keith Moon|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-1-84449-807-9|year=1998 }}
* {{cite book|url=http://www.cairn.info/revue-volume-2014-1.htm|title="Is It in My Head?": The Pleasure and Pain of Listening to The Who, 1964–1973|last=Harison|first=Casey|publisher=[[Volume!]] / Éditions Mélanie Seteun|year=2014|isbn=978-2-913169-35-7|access-date=17 August 2014|archive-date=10 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810012334/http://www.cairn.info/revue-volume-2014-1.htm|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|last=Howard|first=David|title=Sonic Alchemy: Visionary Music Producers and Their Maverick Recordings|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|year=2004|isbn=978-0-634-05560-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Knowles|first=Christopher|title=The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TMHr1g7T8gQC|year=2013|publisher=Cleis Press|isbn=978-1-57344-564-1|access-date=12 January 2016|archive-date=19 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519180145/https://books.google.com/books?id=TMHr1g7T8gQC|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |last=MacDonald |first=Ian |author-link=Ian MacDonald |title=[[Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties]] |year=1997 |edition=First Revised|publisher=Pimlico/Random House|isbn=978-0-7126-6697-8}}
* {{cite book|title=Before I Get Old: The Story of The Who|last=Marsh|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Marsh|publisher=Plexus Publishing Ltd|year=1983|isbn=978-0-85965-083-0 }}
* {{cite book|last1=McMichael|first1=Joe|last2=Lyons|first2=Jack|year=1998|title=The Who: Concert File|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-7119-6316-0}}
* {{cite book|title=Anyway Anyhow Anywhere: The Complete Chronicle of The Who 1958–1978|first1=Andrew|last1=Neill|first2=Matthew|last2=Kent|publisher=Sterling Publishing|isbn=978-0-7535-1217-3|year=2009}}
* {{cite book|last=Townshend|first=Pete|author-link=Pete Townshend|title=Who I Am: A Memoir|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-06-212726-6|year=2012}}
* {{cite book|last=Unterberger|first=Richie|author-link=Richie Unterberger|title=Won't Get Fooled Again: The Who from Lifehouse to Quadrophenia|publisher=Jawbone Press|year=2011|isbn=978-1-906002-75-6}}
* {{cite book|last=Whiteley|first=Sheila|title=The Space Between the Notes: Rock and the Counter-Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tkSIAgAAQBAJ|year=2003|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-91662-7|access-date=12 January 2016|archive-date=16 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616184604/https://books.google.com/books?id=tkSIAgAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Barnes|first=Richard|year=1982|title=The Who: Maximum R & B|publisher=Eel Pie Publishing|isbn=978-0-85965-351-0}}
* {{cite book|editor1-first=Ross|editor1-last=Halfin|year=2002|title=Maximum Who: The Who In The Sixties|publisher=Genesis Publications|isbn=978-0-904351-85-9}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{sister project links|auto=1|d=Q93346}}
* {{Official website|http://www.thewho.com/}}
* [http://www.thewholive.net/ The Who Concert Guide]
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5822}}
* {{discogs artist}}
* {{Rockhall}}

{{The Who}}
{{The Who singles}}
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| title = [[List of awards and nominations received by The Who|Awards for the Who]]
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