The Who - Who's Next: Albums That Changed Music 

What's your favourite Rock Album? In today’s video we look at the Who's groundbreaking album ‘Who’s Next’. In the wake of their incredible rock opera, Tommy, Pete Townshend and the Who spent most of 1970 teasing their next project to the press - the ill fated Lifehouse. The band spent months demoing, performing, recording and re-recording songs intended for Lifehouse. But by the spring of 1971, the film project had been abandoned and the remnants were repurposed as the band’s 5th studio album, ‘Who’s Next’.

In 1977, I was 14 and installed a Pioneer cassette player in my mom's Ford Torino. We sat back, screwdriver in hand and cranked up the first test song "Won't Get Fooled Again", sounded so good. That fond memory is forever burnt in my brain. Hey Warren, what you guys do is quite magical. Thanks PLaP!

"This album was THE album" - my exact thoughts, Warren! This album and Zep II and so many others from this specific time period are the pinnacle of rock music in my mind. Probably millions of others as well haha! Nice work on the video guys.

Woah love the new intro!

"My wife" is a slammer and hilarious. I love how the progression just chugs along with the bizarre tale unfolding. Always makes me smile.

There used to be a teen club in a suburb of Chicago called The Cellar where the big local bands as well as national and international bands played. Cream, Buffalo Springfield, John Mayall, The Yardbirds and The Who, as well as many others, played there, some on their first American tours. As a young drummer, aside from the jazz giants like Joe Morello, Buddy Rich and Louis Bellson, Keith Moon was a huge influence on my playing. I remember when I first heard "My Generation" coming out of the tiny mono dashboard speaker of my father's Dodge thinking "how is that huge sound coming from that crappy speaker, and who is that drummer?", and then I heard that bass solo where the guitar solo should have been and there was no turning back At 19 years old I was fortunate enough to be asked to play and record for a band that was on the Columbia Records label called The Cryan' Shames. On one of the Who's early American tours they opened for us at one of our concerts! A year or two later we opened for them. Funny how that goes. I met my wife at the Cellar when the Who first played there. We paid $2.00 each to get in. Years later we saw them at a very large venue and paid $250.00 each. Again, funny how that goes. Of the five times I saw them four were with Moon, Daltrey, Entwistle and Townshend. The last time sadly Moon and Entwistle were gone. And twice I was lucky to share a stage with them. Who's Next is, for me, the greatest rock album ever recorded from, again, for me, the greatest rock band of all time. There's not one member who wasn't the best of the genre. And "Won't Get Fooled Again" is the greatest rock song ever. Again, for me.

When I was about 13, my parents gave me a small tape player for my birthday and a couple of albums with it. Who's Next was one of them. One of the first albums I ever owned. I'll never forget my father hearing Baba O'Riley and asking "Is that a violin?". The Who have always been an important band to me. Only saw them once live, in 1982 at the Astrodome. Still get chills. Thanks for the video, Warren!

In 1974 I was 19, and I went with my family on a camping trip in the lakes region of Patagonia, in Southern Argentina. We had Who's Next on a cassette and played it over and over, in the car, at our campsite, everywhere we went. A couple of songs that really resonated with us were Mobile and The Song is Over (the lines "I sing my song to the wide-open spaces, I sing my heart out to the infinite sea, I sing my vision to the sky-high mountains, I sing my song to the free." as that was pretty much what we were doing at the time--just traveling and camping by some of the most beautiful lakes you've ever seen and singing along to these all-time classics. My favorites were Won't Get Fooled Again, and Baba O'Reilly. Epic.

Incredible that you released this video yesterday ! I was on a drive to the city and played "Who's Next" on my truck sound system. "Tommy" was released when I was in High School, and one of our teachers introduced it to my friend and I. I still listen to the album, and still have my mind blown by Keith Moon's drumming. My friend Mike, who passed years back, had the experience of seeing the Who in concert. I still envy him for that !! Thanks Warren for this excellent video !!

That isolated scream is what I use as a ringtone for anyone that isn't in my address book.

Thank you so much Warren for this wonderful episode ! Must feel incredible to have an ex bandmate playing with a band you grew up listening to. I remember the day I discovered them, around 13 of 15, my father comes to my bedroom with Who's Next, Are You Experienced and a U2 album, don't remember which one. "Here son, for your culture" and WOOW... You know... that episode means much to me ! Thank you !

An excellent video! I saw them in concert in Chicago, July of 1970 in the Auditorium Theatre on their tour for this album, literally the best concert of my whole life! A week later I saw saw CSN&Y there and David Crosby commented that he came to town a week earlier to see The Who too. 🙂 I saw them there again in 1971, and then again in a different venue in 1974 on their Quadrophenia tour, the last time that I saw Keith Moon. Both of those shows were wonderful but 1970 was the really special one.

I love the minimal music elements on the album since I heard them the first time without knowing about minimal. Years later, I learned about Terry Riley and his music and thought "I know that minimal stuff from somewhere...". Thanks for the great presentation. My favorite album by The Who, and one of my favorites overall.

Scoop was the light bulb moment for me. Sold the Marshall,bought a Tascam 244 Portastudio. It was the Shel Talmy sound that got me revved up,still does. Thanks Pete!

A fantastic sounding album to this day ❤

This makes me think of the rides at old Elitche's Gardens in Denver. The Who, Yes, and Spinners.

Love this breakdown. Big fan of Quadrophenia too.

In the early nineties, I discovered my dads vinyl of Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy, which I loved to bits (I was about 8 or 9, and that was all I knew of the who for a long time, then I discovered this which opened up a whole new dimension - more serious and way ahead of its time.

One of the greatest Rock albums ever made. I got it when it came out…the songwriting is so great…3 or 4 masterpiece songs at least, well the whole album is a masterpieces…it sounds so alive. Its sad to think that any drummer trying to play like MOON today would immediately be stifled by any producer…Entwhistles style too would be discouraged. I read that PT used a Gretsch Country Gentleman for most of the album , not an SG as one might expect.

Excellent video, thanks Warren! This album indeed changed my life, it came out when I was 12 and I immedately got into it and pleyed it endlessly, I still listen to it regularly. It inspired me as a budding musician - my first instrument was drums and Keith was my hero - then I got into Pete's fascinating guitar playing which hugely influenced my own playing, especially when playing in a trio format. John's thundering bass and Roger's powerful, soaring voice were the cherry on top. With just 3 instruments and a voice the Who managed to sound like an orchestra, playing songs by one of the greatest songwriters ever. One of the most powerfuyl bands and albums ever. Can't imagine my life without them . . .

Thanks Warren. I love the Who, and this is the first album I bought of theirs. I don't remember which period or who the engineer was but, he said (essentially) that he miked Keith with two overheads and kick mics, basically out of fear for his equipment. : )

The first Who album I ever heard. Someone used to bring it in to grade 10 art class and play it. It's probably my favourite Who album. Used to do 'Behind Blue Eyes' when I was a busking impoverished student.

I love The Who

Pete Townsend took the lifehouse concept forward with his psycho derelict album in the 90s and finally lifehouse chronicles in the early 2000s including live shows

"Behind blue eyes" is a beautiful track, showing vulnerability, before it rocks out. Quadrophenia and The Graduate are two films where the music is integral to the story. They don't make 'em like they used to.

As a longtime Who fan I couldn't have explained the Lifehouse concept better myself, Warren. Nicely done!

One of your best yet in this series--especially for a big Who fan like me. Thanks PLAP.

I remember when The Who played The Concert For NYC after 9/11. They played in order "Baba O'Riley," "Behind Blue Eyes," and "Won't Get Fooled Again." 100+ dB scream therapy. The Who were THE highlight. I got into classic rock in 1990-ish. I was 18. Many of the 60's and 70's acts were still touring and all over the radio. I knew The Who's highlights, but listening to "Who's Next" was a cohesive whole. No weak spots. "Life House?" I figure the music made by instruments could not match the idea of it in Pete Townsend's mind. He put so much effort that he had to stop or just have a breakdown. I remember seeing Sugar in the early 90's. Bob Mould and band were loud as HELL and did a ripping cover of "Armenia-City in the Sky." "The Who Sell Out" is underrated because "Tommy" and "Who's Next" came after.

I heard *hi-hats* in the isolated drum tracks of 'Won't Get Fooled Again'! 😳 🤯 😄

Keith's snare rung like hell in the Spectrum.

Superb as always Warren, love hearing your take on music -- this, as you said, is a record like no other and one of those that causes me to reflect on how fortunate I was to hear this when it was released and not, in retrospect, as a 'classic rock album.' There seems to be very little art in music these days but these guys are evidence of what it's like when music and art come together -- timeless ❤

My favorite album. 4 musicians at the top of their game playing amazing songs. Sounds as good today as ever. Rock on

You’d love to chat with him. Could you try for an interview with him please. He’s a fascinating dude. Our paths have crossed over the years, eventually leading to a meeting in a studio, then recording The Who. As a kid, I’ve always loved his playing, whilst trying to copy him on guitar😂 Then one day he’s starting to teach me engineering. My mind blown, I got to take away some amazing tricks. This happened many moons ago.

Great Trivia and history tips of sound recording too!

The remastered deluxe version is FANTASTIC 🤘

Making fun of the monolith or in England "Taking the piss out of it". Cliff Richard was once asked why he sang with an American accent, he gave the example that if he sang the word dance in american he sang it as as "dence" which flows smoothly but if he sang it in English it would come out "darnce" which disrupts the smooth flow of words.

That incredible energy accompanied by a certain vulnerability the band had, made them unique. The work of The Who is a statement that lasts. To me I t’s about dealing with the circumstances you’re in - at any age, btw. That album in particular was a brilliant choice. Thank you.

I believe it was a PT's Lowrey Organ. TBO-1 maybe?

No autotune on the vocals - REAL human!

Great album from a great band. The interesting thing is that for such a popular band Roger is not the most recognisable member and Pete is not a virtuoso in the same way that Hendrix and Page were. However what a band!

Getting that bass Sound . . . Decca rushed out Live at Leeds to keep the flame alive until Who's Next. I now realize the same instrument used for all the Tommy tours is the one we hear on Who's next. I wrongly surmised it was the T-Birds as John started using those on the Who's Next tour. It's also conceivable John would have wanted the LAL bass sound to be heard on Who's Next, but good engineers never let a bass guitar sound like John Entwistle on a studio recording. When I saw them live on 03 Aug. 1971, I reckon Pridden struggled to get John's bass sound dialed in, albeit that was indeed the most ferociously loud bass guitar I'd heard to that date. Also, two-thirds of the stage frontage was PA speakers, powered by dozens of WEM heads. The bass was DI'd, the guitar wasn't.

Days of future past! we need it! loved the video.

Jon is doing a great job with The Who!

A rock masterpiece - I first heard it far too late in life (in the early 2000s) - but I’m glad my cousin played it for me that night! 6 months later we were watching them (sadly without Keith Moon) at Wembley Stadium. Pete Townshend’s demos for the Lifehouse Project (on RU-vid) are brilliant - he plays everything - rather well as it goes!

WGFA is a rare example of Keith using Hi hat. He used them a lot more in the studio than he did live.

Absolute favorite band and album!!! Thank you for this video

One of my top favorite albums. And I saw them play some of it about a week before it came out, so THAT was awesome!! Haha! One of the very best bands ever.

Thanks for all your hardwork ❤🙏

Such a great record. Have you checked out Townsend's Scoop stuff? Some really cool demos and previously unreleased, home studio recordings. Very cool.

A true masterpiece, sounds as fresh today as it did 50 yrs ago. Perhaps just beaten by Quadrophenia, but too close to call!

The way 3 piece bands played then. They played off eachother. Zeppelin did things that way, especially live.

Warren amazing! thanks just flippin brill! When are you going to interview Pete Townsend?

New intro is 🔥🔥🔥

How fantastic your old band mate is playing in The Who! Did you get to meet them courtesy of John?

Actually they were already The Who when Moon joined. They changed their name to The High Numbers at the behest of their Mod Pete Meaden, but they soon changed it back to The Who after parting ways with Meaden when their lone single as The High Number failed to trouble the charts.

This was an amazing video. Love this album. Close your eyes and listen again through your best headphones or speakers. Great to hear the breakdown of tracks and instruments so clear. Good stuff! More please!

And another video thats costing me money as I have to go and get the album in question! Got a whole bunch of Who songs, but no full albums so will rectify that pronto :)

Photographer Ethan Russell toured, showing and explaining his pics. At the showing I was at, he claimed that everyone in the band actually peed on the monolith, except one of them couldn’t go, and needed one of the other guys who was there, not in the band, to pee for him. This is not always the story he tells I guess.

Well, not so much of a rock album but i love the album Escapology by robbie williams the mixing and overall sound is incredible

Hey Warren- could you possibly talk about Bill Nelson and Be Bop Deluxe? I believe that the first album that John Leckie ever produced was co-produced with Bill Nelson (Be Bop Deluxe’s 3rd album Starburst Finish) Her went on to produce 7 albums with Bill Nelson over the years. The last time I tried to count how many albums Bill has put out it was something over 40. In the early 80s his double album Confessions off a4-track Mind was an amazing collection of home recordings which he released during the time I got my first multi track (Fostex X-15). After Be Bop Deluxe broke up, Bill released Bill Nelson’s Red Noise album Sound on Sound. A phenomenal ground breaking album. If you’ve never heard it check out the songs I’m Out of Touch, Furniture music, the Atom Age, and Stay Young!

Yeeeees love this album. 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

Great dissection! So interesting and informative... on and up!

Great take Warren. The Who! My favorite. My first concert was Elton John. My second The Who. It was the make up gig in Boston Gardens. My brother took a date to the first show. Kieth was not in good form as you know. Bros date couldn't make the second show insert baby brother. Laser beams! I have a radio show and the Who keep making appearances. Thanks for what you do.

Love all of your videos through the years Warren!!! Could you please do a review or comparison of the Neve 1073spx.

Photographer Ethan Russell toured, showing and explaining his pics. At the showing I was at, he claimed that everyone in the band actually peed on the monolith, except one of them couldn’t go, and needed one of the other guys who was there, not in the band, to pee for him. This is not always the story he the I guess.

I can honestly say I never listened to a single side of an album and then turned it over after two weeks. That is strange!

Watching this brought it all Back for me. Sometimes you forget how great something was until reminded. Your commentary was eloquent and RIGHT ON THE MONEY…

Sold my Synclavier-II to them. Regrated selling it. But its in good place

Stupid question: How did you divide the stems?

I love your vids. It's all about loving music. The best content on the Tube, really. It's really hard to say what is my fave Rock album, I'd go with Van Halen... the 6 albums with DLR

Hey dig the intro visual. Not sure how long you’ve been doing that but I’m not that much a fair weather subscriber/student lol. Keith Moon……your sentiment on appreciating his style and identifiable sound and playing is spot on. Especially in context to today’s offerings. We have some great proficiency players out there but lack song players (and songs unfortunately). Plus the production side of things is just ass backwards to what we should be witnessing imo. I can’t help but see that as an imagination lacking.

The difference in time between "Tommy" in -69 and "Who's Next" in -71 is only two (2 !!!) years. Yet the difference in the music and the sound - _the quality of Townshend's writing and arrangements, the power in Daltrey's vocals, the tightness and heaviness of the band, the punch and clarity of the production (The drum sound alone !!!)_ - is simply INSANE. It's almost as if "Tommy" was made by an amateur school band in the 50s and "Next" by some kind of rock'n'roll juggernaut in the 80s... They went from being slightly _behind_ the times (compared to The Beatles, for instance) to being so ahead of everybody else it is almost unfathomable. "Who's Next" sounded like NOTHING that came before it, and them Shepherd's Bush boys more or less singlehandedly created the entire genre of "Stadium Rock" in the process. (For better and worse... 😁) And I haven't even mentioned the amazing mix of rock and "electronica" on _"Baba O Riley"_ and _"Won't Get Fooled Again"._ 15 - 20 years before everybody else was trying to do it... The fact that this album was made in *1971* just wrecks my brain. 🤯

A perfect album , as is Quadrophenia imo, thanks for the documentary of an iconic album 🤟🏻

Excellent vid! thanks

What a great new intro

Thanks Warren, as always!

Will you ever discuss any of the albums by The Alan Parsons Project? I think Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson's legacy as amazing musicians should be shared with generations anew.

Groundbreaking album for sure! Fantastic episode Warren!

Thanks, Warren. Really well done, as usual.

please talk about Raw Power haha

Thank you !😀🎼🎶🎹🎸🎙🎧

14:41 synthesiser * riff

Walk about Styx Kilroy Was Here or even The Grand Illusion

Keith played the drums as if they were a lead instrument.

Cover Art: If only The Beatles had hung on a bit, and NICKED this cover art theme, the resultant album could have been called, "Beatle Juice".

Thanks warren for the video. The WHO classic BAND all of them very talented dudes. Who by numbers is also interesting!

I prefer their pre-Tommy work, but really appreciate the sound of this record. Technological and engineering advances, as well as Glyn Johns, help to capture the power of the band better than their earlier recordings by Shel Talmy and Lambert. You really get to hear Moon on this record. Side note, maybe we're making a mistake doing dozens and dozens of vocal takes, cutting and pasting, and then pitch correcting them, these days. Roger is pitchy and warbly on the isolated vocal track but sounds incredible in the mix. I wonder if the pendulum will swing the other way in the A.I. era. People will want to hear real singers?

🤴 👸🏼

Great job, Warren!

didnt pete connect the output of the organ to an arp 2600 and used an lfo on the input?

Please do The Stooges 1st album.

A great video Again !

You're really getting OFF on those tracks hey? 🤘

Four guys all playing lead

Hi Warren,good afternoon,i wish you make the story of the english hard rock band UFO,congratulations by your video,cheers!!!!!!!!!!!

🔥

There once was a note…

It's commentary about the great reset that's been happening over and over for thousands of years

I tried listening to them but it just wasnt my thing.

Of all the bands from this era this is the one I just don't get at all. I just can't see what the fuss is about. I think they're an odd case in that the band is actually less than the sum of its parts. Daltrey is a great singer, Moon was no average drummer, Entwhistle's bass sound is killer. Personally, I think Pete Townsend more than just a little overrated but he does what he does well. But as a whole it really does have a touch of that 'Emperor's New Clothes' feel to it. 'Baba o' Riley' has nearly 50 seconds of a monotonous intro and no real memorable tune. The breakdown in the middle is just power chords until it all goes a bit haywire. I don't really see or hear anything 'landmark' about it. Anyway, obviously this is just my opinion and if you love it, you love it - that's the beauty of music. But I'm of the opinion great music exceeds and succeeds on three levels: emotional, intellectual and technical - JS Bach springs to mind, as do a host of more recent bands and artists. I just don't see that in The Who.