The Who Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids The Who
The Who in 1975 Left to right: Roger Daltrey (vocals), John Entwistle (bass), Keith Moon (drums), Pete Townshend (guitar)
Background information
Also known as	the Detours, the High Numbers
Origin	London, England, United Kingdom
Genres	Rock, hard rock, art rock, power pop, psychedelic rock, protopunk
Years active	1964–82, 1989, 1996–present (one-off reunions: 1985, 1988)
Labels	Brunswick, Reaction, Track, Polydor, Decca, MCA, Warner Bros., Universal Republic, Geffen, Atco

Members	Roger Daltrey Pete Townshend

Past members	John Entwistle Doug Sandom Keith Moon Kenney Jones

The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The main lineup from 1964 to 1978 was guitarist Pete Townshend, vocalist Roger Daltrey, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. They became known for high energy live shows. The Who have sold about 100 million records. Many people think that The Who are the greatest live band of all time.

The Who rose to fame in the United Kingdom with a series of top ten hit singles including: "I Can't Explain", "The Kids Are Alright", "My Generation", "Who Are You", and "Love Reign O'er Me". The albums "My Generation", "A Quick One" and "The Who Sell Out" followed. Their fame grew with memorable shows at the Monterey Pop and Woodstock music festivals. "Tommy," released in 1969, was the first in a series of top ten albums in the United States.

Keith Moon died in 1978. The band released two more studio albums with drummer Kenney Jones before disbanding in 1983. They re-formed at events such as Live Aid and for reunion tours such as their 25th anniversary tour and the Quadrophenia tours of 1996 and 1997. In 2002 planning for recording an album of new material was put on hold after John Entwistle's death at the age of 57. Townshend and Daltrey continued to perform as The Who and in 2006 they released the studio album titled "Endless Wire."

The Who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Images for kids

Pete Townshend attended Ealing Art College (pictured in 2010), and his experience there contributed to the Who's career.
The Who's aesthetic grew out of mod subculture with its high fashion, scooters for transport, and shaggy hairstyles.
Roger Daltrey (left) and Keith Moon, 1967
John Entwistle backstage in 1967
By the time the Who were touring Tommy, Daltrey's stage image had changed to include long hair and open shirts.
A blue plaque at Leeds University, where Live at Leeds was recorded
The Who at the Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, 20 November 1971
The Who at the Ernst-Mercke-Halle, Hamburg, 12 August 1972
Promotional photograph celebrating the band's tenth anniversary, December 1974
Keith Moon in 1975
Daltrey and Townshend, 21 October 1976, Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario—their last ever public gig with Moon
The Who in Toronto, 1980
John Entwistle performing with the Who at the Manchester Apollo, 1981
The Who on tour in 2007. L to R: Zak Starkey, Daltrey, Townshend, and John "Rabbit" Bundrick
Zak Starkey has been the Who's main drummer since 1994, and turned down an invitation to be a full-time member.
The Who performing the 2010 Super Bowl halftime show
Daltrey and Townshend on the Who Hits 50! tour in 2016
A selection of instruments used by the Who, including a Rickenbacker and Gibson SG Special guitar, and Moon's "Pictures of Lily" drum kit from Premier

The Who facts for kids

Images for kids

See also