The Who: Concert File (Paperback)

by Joe McMichael (Author), Jack Lyons (Author), Irish Jack Lyons (Author) "The group that became The Who began life in 1962 as The Detours, a band formed by Roger Daltrey with friends at the Sulgrave Boys'..." (more)
Key Phrases: kids are alright, smashed his guitar, rare encore, Get Fooled, New York, Keith Moon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This is an examination of the career of The Who as a live performing band. Beginning in 1960 as The Detour, the book follows their career through Woodstock, Live Aid and their reunion tours in the 1980s, right through to the Quadrophenia shows at Earls Court in 1996. It includes eyewitness accounts, background notes and audience reactions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Omnibus Pr (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0711963169
• ISBN-13: 978-0711963160
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,199,900 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Who's Playbook, July 10, 2000

By	MICHAEL L. OBRIEN (Greater Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you get an opportunity to see The Who (now on tour - summer/fall 2000) please do so. Other than Bruce Springsteen, they are without peer on stage.This book does a fine job of detailing Who gigs from the early 1960's (as the Detours)to the 1996-1997 Quadrophenia tour. The authors recap the songs, the stage "happenings" (smashed guitars, onstage feuds, etc.)and other "Odds & Sods". It's kind of like a baseball box score for Who fans! If you're already a Who fan (or are an aspiring one) this is THE book for you!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book with one significant flaw, November 25, 2004

By	Erik Denning "Bon vivant" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Who Concert File (Talking) (Paperback)

First thing you should know is that while this is a thick book, it is also small; around 6" x 5", which is quaint, and not a flaw in anyway, just a surprise. There are lots of great pictures, reviews, accounts, and set lists provided.

The flaw, to my mind though, is that there are no references about circulating RECORDINGS of these shows. Most of the hardcore fans who would buy this book probably collect tapes, bootlegs, and cdrs. Most of the time a setlist or stage comments are provided for a show it's because a recording exists. I would have loved it if the authors could have aknowledged this with brief comments like, "A clear, but distant audience recording exists for the first 80 minutes of the concert" or "A mixed soundboard recording of this show has been bootlegged and rereleased many times." There are websites with this kind of information and other highly collected bands, such as Led Zeppelin, have entire books devoted to the collection of unreleased material.

If you're a fan you're guaranteed to enjoy this book regardless, so get it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The essential Who book, December 18, 1999

By	oddjob (Richmond., VA) - See all my reviews

The Who from '69-'76 were considered the greatest live rock band. That reputation has placed them in an all-time status. As long as the Who had Keith Moon and John Entwistle, they had the best rhythm section in rock music. The book documents every Who concert through the spring of '97. This book contains everything significant, it's a great read with excellent concert photos. The most interesting read is how the Who blew Led Zeppelin off the stage at the Merriweather Post Pavillion on May 25, 1969. My favorite live Zep period yet the Who had the upper hand.