The Who was one of the first sold out rock shows Charlotte had. I didn't start out in the front row; when the band strolled onstage a near riot ensued and I was actually pushed to the front. The police began tossing people over a barrier in front of the stage just to get rid of them. I remember one cop swinging some unlucky fan around by the guy's shoulder-length hair. After the opening number of I Can't Explain, an exasperated Townshend leaned over the stage with his hands extended in a "Stop!" gesture. Eventually the cops quit pushing people around and the crowd settled down. After that, the band seemed to enjoy themselves. It was the first stop on the 2nd leg of their 1971 North American tour. Moon commented on the size of the crowd, saying "It's nice to see so many people in Charlotte. I didn't know there WAS this many people in Charlotte." They played some of their old standards in addition to I Can't Explain, such as Summertime Blues, Baby Don't You Do It, and Magic Bus. Most of the concert revolved around "Who's Next" and "Tommy," and ended with an extended My Generation that included Naked Eye. Something pissed Townshend off during Magic Bus and he almost jerked sound man Bobby Pridden over an amplifier. He then flipped his guitar in the air at the end of the song, letting it crash to the stage. It was the best rock concert I have ever seen.

Eric Clapton/Keith Moon '74

Eric Clapton/Pete Townshend '74

NY Times' ads for "Tommy" at the Met - 1970

"How The Who And A Bald-Headed Albino Changed My Life"

See The Who's section at

Add Pete Townshend (as a solo artist) to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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The Who On Record: A Critical History, 1963 - 1998 by John Atkins