Won’t Get Fooled Again…A Review of The Who

There’s never been a time in my life as a Cincinnatian and as a fan of live music that the specter of the 1979 tragedy at The Who concert at Riverfront Coliseum hasn’t hung over me. I was just 6 at the time, but remember it being a big deal. My dad talked about it. It was all over the news. And later there was even an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati that addressed the tragedy. For those who don’t know, on the evening of December 3, 1979 11 people were killed outside The Who concert in Cincinnati as the crowd rushed the only open door at the arena when a trailer for Quadrophenia convinced them the show had begun. The show went on as the band was unaware of the tragedy that unfolded before the show began. My cousin knew two of the kids who died. He recalled the day a limo with the band went down his street to visit and console one of the families. The aftermath of this disaster influenced safety at concerts in Cincinnati and the rest of the country for years to come.

That arena, now Heritage Bank Center, would not host another general admission show until 2002 when Bruce Springsteen asked the ban be lifted for his show on November 12th. In the years between 1979 and 2002 many shows skipped Cincinnati at least in part because our main arena didn’t host GA shows. The Springsteen show changed the GA policy in town but the pall of the tragedy remained. I’ve attended countless shows at that arena but would not see a GA show there until 2011.

Almost any time I find myself in a tight crowd, whether at a concert, sporting event, airport, or really anywhere I would think about The Who tragedy. Often, I or someone nearby would worry aloud about a “Who situation”. Not in a joking manner, but in a genuinely cautiously anxious observation. CIncinnatians may not always be polite but this is one event we all collectively approach with reverence.

There’s been several concerts, Guns n Roses in Dayton in 1991 and Green Day in Columbus (at a club) in 2016 come to mind, where I was genuinely concerned for my safety. I always know where the exits are and I always plan for a safe entrance and exit from any big event. My kids get the speech before any big event they attend…and they always will.

I love The Who. The influences most of the bands I love. Their songs are covered from everyone from Pearl Jam to Van Halen to the aforementioned Guns N Roses. But I never thought I’d see them live, and certainly not in Cincinnati. But on Sunday May 15th, 2022 that’s exactly wha happened. My buddy approached me with tickets to the show and of course I said yes! 43 long years after they last played Cincinnati, The Who ended their self imposed exile and returned to town as part of their The Who Hits Back! tour.

Now a lot of time has transpired. It’s actually amazing that these guys are even touring in their late 70’s. The crowd was full of 50-80 year olds - rock isn’t the music of the young anymore. The show took place at TQL Stadium, a brand new soccer stadium in Cincinnati’s west end, just a few miles away from the arena. It was the first concert hosted at the stadium. It turns out its a great venue for stadium rock and the weather cooperated as well. It was a beautiful night in the East End as thousands -safely- packed in to the stadium. Its clear that the band carefully considered how to address the tragedy. The opening band comprised of Finneytown graduates who were friends with some of the folks who lost thier lives in 1979. It was a good old fashioned cover band and they did great. And while that was an insanely cool gesture, we were there for one thing. An evening with The Who.

Before the show, the names of the eleven were scrolling on a screen around the stadium. A short video tribute shared photos of them in a nice, appropriate tribute. Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, who was apparently supposed to attend the show, sent in a nice video instead.

And then, it happened. For the first time in 43 years, The Who hit the stage in Cincinnati. And it was glorious.

There was almost s shudder in the stadium, a collective sigh of relief, and no doubt a few tears were shed as the lights turned off and Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, joined by longtime drummer Zak Starkey, the rest of the band, as well as a full orchestra came on stage. The first four songs, Overture, 1921, Amazing Journey and Sparks were clearly arranged in such a manner as to protect Roger’s voice. Truth is, he sounded great out of the gate. But once he warmed up, around Pinball Wizard, he sounded fantastic. And for a man of his age-he sounded almost otherworldly.

This was a night full of cathartic moments. Every Pete windmill, Roger growl, and familiar intro was met with unbridled enthusiasm, as if each note was offering an emotional release 43 years in the making. Playing with an orchestra added depth to the songs. They sounded full and rich, familiar but newly revitalized. Familiar songs like Eminence Front and The Seeker went down as well as the new songs they added to the setlist to keep things fresh.

But it was of course the mega hits that brought the crowd (average age 62?) slowly to their feet. You Better You Bet, Won’t Get Fooled Again, Who Are You, and Behind Blue Eyes; each song met with a response as if it every one was every single person’s favorite song.

The highlight of the show was Won’t Get Fooled Again. The hit was met with the loudest pop of the night. Starkey drove the song hitting the drums like a mad man -channeling Keith Moon just for a moment. Townshend windmilled like a maniac and the showcase moment-the past breakdown scream from Paltry was present, accounted for and unexpectedly amazing. Seriously. At near 80 years old Roger Daltrey is delivering a legendary scream for a legendary moment.

Midshow, Pete took a brief opportunity to address the tragedy. He was humble, soft-spoken, and clearly moved by the gravity of it all. He said its time to not move on but to move forward. And I feel like we all finally can start to move forward and out of the shadow of this tragedy that has long cast a pall over the rock loving community in Cincinnati.

By the time the opening of Baba O Riley hit, everyone in the stadium, the band, the fans, the entire city was emotionally exhausted but rocked out to the classic hit as though it was the last song of a concert that started over four decades ago.

This was far and away one of the best shows I have ever seen. I’ve seen countless shows at clubs, arenas, stadiums, the basement of abandoned buildings and even the back of a restaurant. I’ve seen new bands, classic acts, and living legends, but this was something special. The talent is undeniable, the songs legendary, and even at their advanced age Roger and Pete played with the energy, power, talent, and enthusiasm of a band more than half their ages. This was more than a rock show, it was an experience that brought closure and healing to a city that needed just that.