The Who at the Superbowl

[mrt2]

Interesting take.

I kinda see your point about the Who, I don't know if I agree with you on the Stones and you are flat out wrong about the Dead.

You may have stopped listening to these guys years ago but bands like the Dead have never stopped touring and attracting new listeners every day.

You realize there is even a 24 hour all Dead radio on XM?

:yes: And The Dead was always trying to make something new. This is why people have their favorite Dead years. Different set lists, different personell, and different musical approaches. And, I can't imagine the Dead doing a 12 minute medley of their hits at the Super Bowl complete with laser light show.

 

[mrt2]

In the original thread, a couple of months ago (or thereabouts) I made the statement that the Who weren't relevant (and this from a guy who has their complete collection, sometimes several albums many times over, and who has seen them at least a dozen times (unfortunately, all post-Moonie)...

They had no new album to promote (they're album a couple of years ago came and went very quietly).

I would have loved it had the Who kept putting out a new album every two or three years, talking about things that were relevant to what they were going through, but the quality of their albums dropped off so sharply that they obviously saw the hand-writing on the wall.

I would have loved it, though, had they paid homage to Entwistle and Moon by playing Entwistle's song Trick of the Light off of Who Are You? (one of the few high points, and not too high at that, on that album). Entwistle was writing about being an aging rocker and worrying about his, um, performance.

Or My Wife, or Boris the Spider.

 

[d-ray657]

Did they really do this? I hadn't heard.

That's horrible. That's the worst piece of news I could have ever possibly heard about The 'Orrible 'Oo.

****.

I don't think it was the Who making the change. It was in a promo obviously prepared by the network. No matter who made the change, it was sad to see it happen. I also wish they would have smashed the equipment, just for us old farts who remember the rebellious Who.

Regards,

D-Ray

 

[JohnVF]

I think the cut-off point for any band is the medley moment. If and when any band EVER performs a medley, it's time to pack it in.

 

[mrt2]

I think the cut-off point for any band is the medley moment. If and when any band EVER performs a medley, it's time to pack it in.

:scratch2:

 

[davidb]

You guys are a tough crowd. I say more power to you if you can get out there at 65. Give em a break.

 

[icenine]

I think the cut-off point for any band is the medley moment. If and when any band EVER performs a medley, it's time to pack it in.

You are correct. That is why the Beatles broke up after finishing Abbey Road...most of side two is a great medley.

 

[sfox52]

I'm too much of a fan to bust on the medley too much. They mangled some of it & did just fine on other parts. They have a couple more commitments, but I won't be surprised if Pete says "No Mas" soon. I'll aways respect thier efforts & treasure the memories.

 

[Jack Lord]

I think the cut-off point for any band is the medley moment. If and when any band EVER performs a medley, it's time to pack it in.

Ironically, the Who Live at Leads, a live album everyone loves, has a medley of sorts- My Generation>Jam>See Me, Feel Me (in Part)>Jam.

Other than that, medleys are the stuff of the Superbowl or maybe the Oscars. They are an anomaly. I agree that the Who should have done two or three songs. Hell, they should have done My Generation>Jam>See Me, Feel Me (in Part)>Jam. The irony would have been great.:yes:

 

[reggaenaut]

+1 on this.

There are tons of geezer bands out now. I've stopped going to arena rock shows for this reason. I like finding small, local bands that are still hungry. That captures the essence of what the music's all about for me.

:thmbsp:

 

[just dave]

I can't believe that so many of you think their set was an embarasment.lets see what you can do at 65!! I suppose Aerosmith/Spears was more to your liking or maybe PRINCE ? The only thing sad was seeing them now as compaired to that mental image we have of them jaming when they were younger.And btw Who are You is a great album!!

 

[cwall99]

I can't believe that so many of you think their set was an embarasment.lets see what you can do at 65!! I suppose Aerosmith/Spears was more to your liking or maybe PRINCE ? The only thing sad was seeing them now as compaired to that mental image we have of them jaming when they were younger.And btw Who are You is a great album!!

Here's how I rate the tracks on Who Are You? (on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best):

New Song: 3
Had Enough: 7
905: 6
Sister Disco: 5
Music Must Change: 3
Trick of the Light: 7
Guitar and Pen: 3
Love is Coming Down: 1
Who Are You?: 9

For a total of 44 out of 90 possible points, or a mean track rating (MTR, if you're into acronyms ) of just under 5.

I was always glad that Music Must Change was at the end of Side One so I could flip the record as soon as it began. New Song was just embarrassing to listen to. And Love is Coming Down was so bad that it made me want to just queue up Who Are You (and skip the first two songs on Side 2) so I wouldn't have to listen to it.

 

[Jack Lord]

I can't believe that so many of you think their set was an embarasment.lets see what you can do at 65!! I suppose Aerosmith/Spears was more to your liking or maybe PRINCE ? The only thing sad was seeing them now as compaired to that mental image we have of them jaming when they were younger.And btw Who are You is a great album!!

While I agree with your premise, I think it was pretty clear that Prince put in one helluva Superbowl performance. Probably the best ever. Aerosmith was ok until Britney came out there.

Who are You, IMHO, is mediocre. Entwistle's song is the only one I really like. But I think the Who jumped after Quadrophenia. But, like any huge vessel of talent, they always put out a few decent nuggets here and there (Slip Kid for example).

Anyway, as the rotation goes, I figure its Bob Dylan's turn next year. OMG...

 

[just dave]

Well I don't like Prince so I can't agree with you there.The thing I don't like about halftime shows is that there so rushed, the band just gets warmed up and its over.And I agree with cwall about The Music must Change and Love is coming Down, those songs suck but the rest of the album is great.

 

[JohnVF]

I can't believe that so many of you think their set was an embarasment.lets see what you can do at 65!! I suppose Aerosmith/Spears was more to your liking or maybe PRINCE ? The only thing sad was seeing them now as compaired to that mental image we have of them jaming when they were younger.And btw Who are You is a great album!!

In general, my issue with the whole thing isn't that I thought their set was an embarrassment. They did great for their age. It's that the powers that be shouldn't be putting on a show, for the entertainment of the world, where it becomes more about how great something is for how old they are, instead of simply: how great it is.

 

[Jack Lord]

Well I don't like Prince so I can't agree with you there.The thing I don't like about halftime shows is that there so rushed, the band just gets warmed up and its over.And I agree with cwall about The Music must Change and Love is coming Down, those songs suck but the rest of the album is great.

Well you like what you like of course. Nonetheless, Prince jammed out big time and in the rain. I like his stuff and were he bad, I would say so.

I agree about the halftime show in general. Let's face it- its a spectacle. I don't fault the Who or anyone else for playing it. Its a gig nobody could turn down.

My friend is a Who fanatic and he likes Who Are You. I would give it a C+. Its ok but a far cry from Tommy or Who's Next.

I saw the Who on the first date of the Its Hard tour. They were.....FANTASTIC. They need no defense from you or I. Their history is written and its mostly impressive.:thmbsp:

 

[d-ray657]

I was thinking of worthy artists from that great era, and thought of Neil Young or Stills & Young. I do believe, however, that NY has the fortitude to tell the superbowl folks "NO!" He has put out enough critiques of commercialism that he probably wouldn't get asked. I wouldn't mind hearing Hey Hey My My or Southern Man in a halftime show.

We could continue with the Canadian connection by mentioning Rush. They probably have a wide enough audience and enough recognizable material to fit. Personally, I can't stand Geddy Lee's voice, but I do acknowledge their stature.

Too bad Freddy Mercury is gone. Queen's music is made for a spectacle (and I say that with deep respect).

Another performer with Rock God status is Clapton. He is still performing, and appears to still have the chops. To the extent he would be doing blues, blues performers just improve with age. The rougher the voice, the more bluesy it is (and Clapton's voice could use a little toughening up for the blues.) Of course, he would be expected to include Layla, Little Wing, Crossroads, and maybe Sunshine of Your Love or After Midnight. The powers the be would likely veto Cocaine.

Being as the next SB is in Dallas, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the faux country performers. I don't even know who the big names are, but I'll pull out the crystal ball and say Garth Brooks.

Regards,

D-Ray

 

[SBEEZ]

I was thinking of worthy artists from that great era, and thought of Neil Young or Stills & Young. I do believe, however, that NY has the fortitude to tell the superbowl folks "NO!" He has put out enough critiques of commercialism that he probably wouldn't get asked. I wouldn't mind hearing Hey Hey My My or Southern Man in a halftime show.

NY, to the best of my knowledge, still hasn't sold out his work for use in commercials. I greatly admire him for that.

 

[d-ray657]

NY, to the best of my knowledge, still hasn't sold out his work for use in commercials. I greatly admire him for that.

No, he ripped that practice in "This song's for you." Many, many things to like about Mr. Young, not the least of which is his songwriting.

Regards,

D-ray

 

[SBEEZ]

Damn.