Wow, Brian. That is some great writing. Great story. Makes me wish I had been there.
Thanks, Edson! I hope all the stories hold up. (Definitely needing some more editing.)
It really was a great show. It's funny to think back on how we were all polite young people sitting in our seats watching with eyes glued to the players, mouths hanging open. No mosh pits, no stage diving. Not even any security as I recall. A different world in '68.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Brian, you are right about the date being February 21, 1968. I saw the August date and just assumed that one was correct. Funny how back in the day bands sometimes did multiple tours in the same year. Your date was actually the kick off of a six week American and Canadian tour which was supported by Blue Cheer and a band named Sagittarius. My apologies!
Brian thank you so much for sharing and I must say, I love you how you write. Please let us know when the book is done. I still can't believe you had 2nd row for under $5!!! By the way, this is one of my favorite lines from your story: "As the last song neared the end, Pete formed an elongated “X” with his long spidery arms and legs, spreading his feet apart and holding his arms out wide, fingers straight, hands held flat, all the while his white Gibson ES-355 guitar hanging on its strap around his neck and shoulder, bleeding out glorious feedback while white clouds of smoke-bomb haze billowed forth from behind his Sunn amplifier, enhancing the overdriven, overheated grand finale. It was a glorious ending to a superb show." Man I can so picture this in my head.
Brian thank you so much for sharing and I must say, I love you how you write. Please let us know when the book is done. I still can't believe you had 2nd row for under $5!!! By the way, this is one of my favorite lines from your story: "As the last song neared the end, Pete formed an elongated “X” with his long spidery arms and legs, spreading his feet apart and holding his arms out wide, fingers straight, hands held flat, all the while his white Gibson ES-355 guitar hanging on its strap around his neck and shoulder, bleeding out glorious feedback while white clouds of smoke-bomb haze billowed forth from behind his Sunn amplifier, enhancing the overdriven, overheated grand finale. It was a glorious ending to a superb show." Man I can so picture this in my head.
Nowadays, that Pete pose is nicknamed "The Birdman," but Brian's way sounds better.
Holy f@ck did The Who rock the UC tonight. Flawless. So glad to make it to that show. Getting to meet Simon and Loren before the show was the cherry on top. Simon pretty much made my whole year just by calling me pretty. What a sweetheart.
Crazy to think we may not get to see The Who tour again after this. Live in the moment.
Going in Louisville tomorrow night. Has been postponed twice (first, from last spring, when 3 dates got bumped due to throat problems for Roger; again, when the whole fall tour got bumped for Roger's illness), so I've been sitting on the tickets for something like a year and a half. Can't wait--I'm also thinking this could be the last go-round with the band (my first shows were on the 96-97 Quadrophenia tour, when John was still alive; I saw the band since in 2002, 2006, and 2013).
Amazing show at the UC last night, PT was on fire and if it was the last major show in Chicago they went out in style! This music from this band has been the soundtrack to my life and as cliche as that is, it's the absolute truth! 13 shows for me and no regrets well, except never seeing them with Moonie! Long Live Rock and Long Live the Who!!
Post edited by vito on
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1992 SUMMERFEST MILWAUKEE 1995 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1998 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO1998 THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA KNOXVILLE 1998 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2000 ALLSTATE ARENA ROSEMONT 2000 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2003 HERSHEYPARK STADIUM 2003 TOLEDO SPORTS ARENA 2004 AIR CANADA CENTRE TORONTO 2005 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006 VERIZON CENTER DC 2008 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2009 NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS 2010 PJ20 NIGHT 1 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011 PJ20 NIGHT 2 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011 1ST MARINER ARENA BALTIMORE 2013 IWIRELESS CENTER MOLINE 2014 XCEL ENERGY CENTER ST. PAUL 2014 CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2016 CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2016 CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2018 CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2018 BOSTON 2 Fenway Park 2018 ENTERPRISE CENTER SAINT LOUIS 2022 Eddie Vedder Auditorium Theatre CHICAGO 2008
The 2006 show I saw was at the United Center, and it was fantastic! At one point, Roger had to go backstage to get a Benadryl mist due to his smoke allergy tightening his throat, so Pete did the vocals on "My Generation," something I'd certainly never seen or heard before. Roger was back for the encore, and nailed the scream on "Won't Get Fooled Again" (at least to my noise-addled ears in that high-decibel environment). I guess Benadryl works.
The 2006 show I saw was at the United Center, and it was fantastic! At one point, Roger had to go backstage to get a Benadryl mist due to his smoke allergy tightening his throat, so Pete did the vocals on "My Generation," something I'd certainly never seen or heard before. Roger was back for the encore, and nailed the scream on "Won't Get Fooled Again" (at least to my noise-addled ears in that high-decibel environment). I guess Benadryl works.
I was there and it was an awesome version of MG with a Cry If You Want tag thrown in. I believe that was the first time RD had this bizarre reaction from pot smoke...amazing since he was in a band that while alcohol and cocaine were their drugs of choice, certainly smoking pot was very commonplace!
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1992 SUMMERFEST MILWAUKEE 1995 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1998 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO1998 THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA KNOXVILLE 1998 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2000 ALLSTATE ARENA ROSEMONT 2000 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2003 HERSHEYPARK STADIUM 2003 TOLEDO SPORTS ARENA 2004 AIR CANADA CENTRE TORONTO 2005 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006 VERIZON CENTER DC 2008 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2009 NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS 2010 PJ20 NIGHT 1 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011 PJ20 NIGHT 2 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011 1ST MARINER ARENA BALTIMORE 2013 IWIRELESS CENTER MOLINE 2014 XCEL ENERGY CENTER ST. PAUL 2014 CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2016 CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2016 CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2018 CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2018 BOSTON 2 Fenway Park 2018 ENTERPRISE CENTER SAINT LOUIS 2022 Eddie Vedder Auditorium Theatre CHICAGO 2008
Extra shoutout to all the super awesome Teen Cancer America volunteers. They do an awesome job. You can feel the passion that everyone has. I got to run into someone who really helped me out at the Rosemont theater last May. Good people, good times.
Question for those that saw on this tour -- how long did the opener play for? Approximate time The Who took the stage?
Seeing tonight. Thanks!
Tal Wilkenfeld played about 45 minutes. Went on at like 7:30-8:15.
The Who took stage a few minutes before 9? They play 2hrs no encore. Sorry that is not exactly appoximate. Does anyone know the exact time?
I was a little rushed to get to my seat because I met Simon and Loren before the opener. Really talented though, Tal Wilkenfeld so everyone pay attention to her! Have a good time!
Were these shows awesome or what? I just grabbed a ticket for Toronto on April 26. Had decided more than once I wasn't going to go but had a change of heart all of a sudden. No idea what I was thinking, this is more than likely their last go-around
Were these shows awesome or what? I just grabbed a ticket for Toronto on April 26. Had decided more than once I wasn't going to go but had a change of heart all of a sudden. No idea what I was thinking, this is more than likely their last go-around
I think it's worth it, and as you said, who knows if they'll be back around.
Comments
It really was a great show. It's funny to think back on how we were all polite young people sitting in our seats watching with eyes glued to the players, mouths hanging open. No mosh pits, no stage diving. Not even any security as I recall. A different world in '68.
By the way, this is one of my favorite lines from your story: "As the last song neared the end, Pete formed an elongated “X” with his long spidery arms and legs, spreading his feet apart and holding his arms out wide, fingers straight, hands held flat, all the while his white Gibson ES-355 guitar hanging on its strap around his neck and shoulder, bleeding out glorious feedback while white clouds of smoke-bomb haze billowed forth from behind his Sunn amplifier, enhancing the overdriven, overheated grand finale. It was a glorious ending to a superb show." Man I can so picture this in my head.
Hey, OP. You had some nice pics, too. I've got a show in May. Very excited.
Amazing how Roger and Pete can still rock it the fuck out almost 50 years later.
RIP Ox and Moon.
Crazy to think we may not get to see The Who tour again after this. Live in the moment.
SUMMERFEST MILWAUKEE 1995
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1998
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO1998
THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA KNOXVILLE 1998
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2000
ALLSTATE ARENA ROSEMONT 2000
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2003
HERSHEYPARK STADIUM 2003
TOLEDO SPORTS ARENA 2004
AIR CANADA CENTRE TORONTO 2005
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006
VERIZON CENTER DC 2008
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2009
NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS 2010
PJ20 NIGHT 1 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011
PJ20 NIGHT 2 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011
1ST MARINER ARENA BALTIMORE 2013
IWIRELESS CENTER MOLINE 2014
XCEL ENERGY CENTER ST. PAUL 2014
CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2016
CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2016
CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2018
CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2018
BOSTON 2 Fenway Park 2018
ENTERPRISE CENTER SAINT LOUIS 2022
Eddie Vedder Auditorium Theatre CHICAGO 2008
SUMMERFEST MILWAUKEE 1995
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1998
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO1998
THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA KNOXVILLE 1998
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2000
ALLSTATE ARENA ROSEMONT 2000
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2003
HERSHEYPARK STADIUM 2003
TOLEDO SPORTS ARENA 2004
AIR CANADA CENTRE TORONTO 2005
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006
VERIZON CENTER DC 2008
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2009
NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS 2010
PJ20 NIGHT 1 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011
PJ20 NIGHT 2 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011
1ST MARINER ARENA BALTIMORE 2013
IWIRELESS CENTER MOLINE 2014
XCEL ENERGY CENTER ST. PAUL 2014
CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2016
CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2016
CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2018
CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2018
BOSTON 2 Fenway Park 2018
ENTERPRISE CENTER SAINT LOUIS 2022
Eddie Vedder Auditorium Theatre CHICAGO 2008
So cool to hear these recent stories about The Who. Pete and Roger still doing it after all these years- fantastic!
Seeing tonight. Thanks!
The Who took stage a few minutes before 9? They play 2hrs no encore. Sorry that is not exactly appoximate. Does anyone know the exact time?
I was a little rushed to get to my seat because I met Simon and Loren before the opener. Really talented though, Tal Wilkenfeld so everyone pay attention to her! Have a good time!
headed to the Philly show tonight...
They are sounding fantastic!
DEGENERATE FUK
This place is dead
"THERE ARE NO CLIQUES, ONLY THOSE WHO DON'T JOIN THE FUN" - Empty circa 2015
"Kfsbho&$thncds" - F Me In the Brain - circa 2015