The Who

     The Who are an English rock band that formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend, vocalist Roger Daltrey, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. The band reached international success, became known for their energetic live performances, are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and ’70s, and recognized as one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time.
     From the early days of the British Invasion all the way to the ’80s, the Who broke new ground, equipment and ear drums. Former Small Faces drummer Kenny Jones joined the band in 1979, after the death of Keith Moon. The Who began their career under the moniker the High Numbers. The Who’s “Tommy” became a blockbuster rock opera, a movie and a hit Broadway show. The Who’s sound was unusual because drummer Keith Moon often played lead solos instead of guitarist Pete Townshend.
     The Who rose to fame in the United Kingdom with a pioneering instrument destruction stage show, as well as a series of top ten hit singles (including the celebrated “My Generation”) and top five albums, beginning in 1965 with “I Can’t Explain”. They first hit the top ten in the USA in 1967 with “I Can See for Miles”. The 1969 release of Tommy was the first in a series of top five albums for the group in the USA, followed by Live at Leeds (1970), Who’s Next (1971), Quadrophenia (1973), and Who Are You (1978) among others.

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Rolling Stones

     The Rolling Stones are an English band whose music was initially based on rhythm and blues and rock & roll. Formed in London and having their first success in the UK, they subsequently became popular in the US during the “British Invasion” in the early 1960s.[1]
     Forever the greatest rock band on the planet, the Stones have turned their bluesy brilliance into a way of life. The Stones’ founding bassist, Dick Taylor, would go on to form the underappreciated Pretty Things. Mick Jagger’s acting career has most famously included roles in “Performance,” “Ned Kelly” and “Freejack.” Mick Taylor joined the Stones in ‘69 based on a suggestion from legendary English blues man John Mayall. The first original Jagger/Richards single was “Tell Me (You’re Coming Back To Me),” released in 1964.
     The band formed in 1962 when original leader Brian Jones and pianist Ian Stewart were joined by singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, whose songwriting partnership later contributed to their taking the leadership role in the group. Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early lineup. Ian Stewart was removed from the official lineup in 1963 but continued to work with the band as road manager and keyboardist until his death in 1985.

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