The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey (vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass) and Keith Moon (drums). They became famous for his energetic live performances which often include damage to the instrument. Who has sold about 100 million records and charted 27 singles top forty in the United Kingdom and the United States with 17 albums top ten, with 18 gold, 12 platinum and five multi-platinum album awards in the U.S. only.
Who rose to be famous in the United Kingdom with a series of ten single, due in part to the pirate radio stations like Radio Caroline, began in January 1965 with "I Can not Explain." The album My Generation (1965), A Quick One (1966) and The Who Sell Out (1967) and, with the first two reaching the UK top five. They first hit the U. S. Top 40 in 1967 with "Happy Jack" and press the top ten later this year with "I Can See for Miles." Notoriety grew with impressive performances at Monterey Pop, Woodstockand Isle of Wight music festival. The press of 1969 Tommy was the first in a series of top ten albums in the U.S., followed by Live at Leeds (1970), Who's Next (1971), Quadrophenia (1973), The Who by Numbers (1975), which you (1978) and The Kids Are Alright (1979).
Moon died at age 32 in 1978 after the band released their second studio album, the United Kingdom and the United States five Face Dances (1981) and U.S. top ten It's Hard (1982), with drummer Kenney Jones, before splitting in 1983. They formed back on events such as Live Aid and as anniversary reunion tour visits 25 (1989) and the Quadrophenia tour in 1996 and 1997. In 2000, the three original surviving members talked about a new album recording material, but they plan to temporarily interrupted after Entwistle's death at age 57 in 2002. Townshend and Daltrey continue to perform as the WHO, and in 2006 they released the studio album Endless Wire, which reached top ten in Britain and the United States.
Who inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, their first year of eligibility. indicate that they have described as "main competitor in the minds of many people, for the title of the band's World's Greatest Rock." Time magazine wrote in 1979 that "no other group has ever pushed a stone so far, or to ask so much of him." The Rolling Stone magazine wrote: "With the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, The Who complete the holy trinity of British rock. "They receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Phonographic Industry in 1988 and the Grammy Foundation in 2001, more creative contributions of outstanding artistic merit in the field of recording. In 2008, surviving members Townshend and Daltrey honored at the 31st Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
