Guide to British Music of the 1960s
March 1998
Book Review
The Who Concert File
The Who was a great live act. With over 2,000 performances during the career, the list includes great festivals like Monterey, Woodstock and Live Aid. The Concert File is effectively a highly detailed diary of the Who's performances covering set lists, notes, show reviews and many photographs. As such it covers the highs and the lows. Many people have claimed that the Who was the greatest live act in the world at their peak. Have a listen to the performance of A Quick One from The Rolling Stones Rock 'n' Roll Circus if you need proof of this. The phenonenum of the Who is unlikely to be equalled. This book is probably the best way to get close to it.
The book starts with the band as the Detours. The earliest gigs recorded were in July/August 1962 at the Paradise Club in Peckham South East London. This was some way from the band's own "manor" of Acton/Shepherd's Bush where they returned in September to play Acton Town Hall. Many of the early gigs were in West London and occasionally further afield such as Kent. By the beginning of 1964, the Who was opening for another local band on the up, the Rolling Stones. By February, the band was gigging as the Who having dropped the Detours name.
Jump forward to 1966 and we learn about the Who's performance on Ready Steady Go! Where they were reputed to have been paid one of the highest-ever fees for a UK TV appearance. Much of this remains on tape in the Who's vaults.
1969 and the Who play a double bill with Led Zeppelin in Columbia Maryland. The book suggests that the Who outplayed Zeppelin.
And so the book continues with immense details about the performances. As such this is a must for Who fans and those who want to understand live music of the 1960s. A quick glance at some of the concert posters reveals some amazing line-ups, reading like a Who's Who of 1960s music. Oh to have been there!
ISBN: 0711963169
First published 1997 by Omnibus Press.