The Who

The Who Live at the Isle of Wight - Full Concert (1970)

Isle of Wight, United Kingdom

The Who - Magic Bus Performance at Live At Leeds Concert

The Refectory, University of Leeds
Leeds, England, United Kingdom

• In February 1970, The Who were in the midst of a significant phase in their career, having just released their critically acclaimed album "Tommy" in M... Read Full Description >

  In February 1970, The Who were in the midst of a significant phase in their career, having just released their critically acclaimed album "Tommy" in May 1969, which marked a pivotal point in their evolution as a band and solidified their status in rock history. The live recording of "Magic Bus" from their performance at the University of Leeds on February 14, 1970, is part of the famous "Live at Leeds" album, which would be released later that year. This concert is often hailed as one of the band's most electrifying performances, showcasing their raw energy and musical prowess. Notably, "Magic Bus" features a unique structure, and its performance at this show was instrumental in cementing The Who's reputation for dynamic live shows. "Live at Leeds" has since been celebrated as one of the greatest live albums in rock music, highlighting the band's importance in the genre.

The Who Performs 'Water' Live at Metropolitan Opera House, New York

The Metropolitan Opera
New York, New York, United States

• On June 7, 1970, The Who performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, capturing a pivotal moment in their career following the release of th... Read Full Description >

  On June 7, 1970, The Who performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, capturing a pivotal moment in their career following the release of their celebrated rock opera, *Tommy*, in 1969. During this period, the band was transitioning artistically, as they had begun exploring the ambitious *Lifehouse* project, intended to follow *Tommy*. The live performance of "Water," a song that would later appear as a B-side to the 1973 singles "5.15" and "Love, Reign o'er Me," reflects their evolving sound and the heightened emotional depth that characterized their work during this phase. Interestingly, the 1970s marked a time when The Who became known for their explosive live performances, and this concert at the Metropolitan Opera House was part of their celebrated early touring schedule, where they showcased their energetic style and musical innovation, setting the stage for their future successes.

The Who - Heaven And Hell Live at Tanglewood Concert

Tanglewood Music Center
Lenox, Massachusetts, United States

• On July 7, 1970, The Who performed at Tanglewood, showcasing their powerful live presence. At this time, the band was riding high on the success of th... Read Full Description >

  On July 7, 1970, The Who performed at Tanglewood, showcasing their powerful live presence. At this time, the band was riding high on the success of their 1969 rock opera, "Tommy," which solidified their reputation as a major force in the rock music scene. "Tommy" not only achieved critical acclaim but also included classic tracks that became staples in their live sets. The performance of "Heaven And Hell" at Tanglewood reflects the band’s energetic and innovative spirit during this period, as they were known for their dynamic live shows and Pete Townshend's explosive guitar work. Furthermore, this concert occurred during a time when The Who was transitioning into a more mature sound, experimenting with complex themes in their music while maintaining their youthful exuberance. This live recording captures a pivotal moment in their career, illustrating the band’s evolution from the mod rock era to becoming pioneers of rock operas.

The Who - 'Heaven And Hell' Live at Tanglewood Concert

Tanglewood Music Center
Lenox, Massachusetts, United States

• On July 7, 1970, The Who performed a live recording of "Heaven and Hell" at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. This performance came shortly after th... Read Full Description >

  On July 7, 1970, The Who performed a live recording of "Heaven and Hell" at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. This performance came shortly after the release of their landmark album, "Led Zeppelin II," which was released in October 1969, and just before "Live at Leeds," recorded in early 1970. The Who was at a pivotal point in their career, transitioning from the studio success of their earlier albums to showcasing their explosive live performances, which were becoming legendary for their energy and intensity. Notably, “Heaven and Hell” is part of the rock opera "Laluna," which The Who had been experimenting with, displaying a shift towards a more cohesive and theatrical approach in their music. The live setting at Tanglewood amplified the raw emotionality and the band's signature sound, illustrating their growing prowess as a live act and contributing to the legendary status they would achieve in the rock world.

The Who - Full Concert at Tanglewood 1970 Performing Hits including 'My Generation'

Tanglewood Music Center
Lenox, Massachusetts, United States

• In July 1970, The Who performed at Tanglewood, a pivotal moment in their career as they transitioned into a more ambitious sound, bolstered by the suc... Read Full Description >

  In July 1970, The Who performed at Tanglewood, a pivotal moment in their career as they transitioned into a more ambitious sound, bolstered by the success of their earlier works. Leading up to this live recording, the band had released their groundbreaking album "Tommy" in 1969, which was a rock opera that garnered significant acclaim and transformed the landscape of rock music. By 1970, The Who were riding high on the success of "Tommy" and were solidifying their reputation as one of the premier rock bands of the era. The Tanglewood concert is notable for showcasing a blend of their earlier hits and new material, demonstrating their dynamic stage presence and innovative approach to live performance. The band's ability to fuse theatrical elements with rock music was further on display during this concert, reflecting the creative evolution they were experiencing at that time.

The Who - Tanglewood 1970 Full Concert Featuring Multiple Songs

Tanglewood Music Center
Lenox, Massachusetts, United States

• In July 1970, during the time of The Who's live concert at Tanglewood, the band was experiencing significant momentum following the release of their a... Read Full Description >

  In July 1970, during the time of The Who's live concert at Tanglewood, the band was experiencing significant momentum following the release of their album "Tommy," which came out in 1969. "Tommy" marked a pivotal point in their career as it was their first rock opera, helping to solidify The Who's status as innovators in the rock genre. By 1970, they were also promoting the soundtrack for "Tommy," which featured songs from the film adaptation that was released in 1975. The Tanglewood concert showcases several tracks that reflect their evolving sound, including "Young Man Blues" and "Amazing Journey." Notably, this performance is remembered for its energetic display and the powerful vocal and instrumental dynamics that define The Who’s live shows. Furthermore, it is an early example of their transition from a traditional rock band to a theatrical performance group, setting the stage for their future endeavors.

The Who - See Me Feel Me Performance at Isle of Wight Festival

• In August 1970, when The Who performed at the Isle of Wight Festival, they were experiencing a pivotal moment in their career. This concert took place... Read Full Description >

  In August 1970, when The Who performed at the Isle of Wight Festival, they were experiencing a pivotal moment in their career. This concert took place shortly after the release of their highly acclaimed rock opera, "Tommy," which came out in 1969 and solidified their status as one of the leading bands in the rock genre. The band's performance included "See Me, Feel Me," a notable track from "Tommy," showcasing their theatrical style and musical prowess. This festival was significant not only for its grand scale, drawing an audience of over 600,000, but also marked a culmination of an era for The Who, as it was one of their last major performances before they experienced internal changes and personal challenges in the years that followed. The live recording captures the raw energy and innovative spirit that The Who was known for during this dynamic period in their history.

The Who - Live Performance of 'Pinball Wizard' at Isle of Wight Festival

Isle of Wight

• In August 1970, The Who delivered an electrifying performance at the Isle of Wight Festival, one of the largest music festivals of the era, in front o... Read Full Description >

  In August 1970, The Who delivered an electrifying performance at the Isle of Wight Festival, one of the largest music festivals of the era, in front of an audience of approximately 600,000. This live recording of "Pinball Wizard" captures a pivotal moment for the band, shortly after the release of their critically acclaimed album "Tommy" (1969), which marked their emergence as significant figures in rock music. The concept album, which tells the story of a deaf, dumb, and blind boy, solidified The Who's innovative approach to rock and helped cultivate their reputation for energetic live shows. Notably, their performance at the Isle of Wight showcased the band's raw power and theatricality, further cementing their legacy. This concert not only underscored their position in the rock pantheon but also highlighted their transition from emerging artists to major rock icons, with Pete Townshend's guitar work and Roger Daltrey's vocals capturing the audience's rapt attention.