Classical Composer Reacts to THE WHO: LIVE AT LEEDS (Side 2) - My Generation & Magic Bus - Ep. 809

[@Doug.Helvering]

Visit tinyurl.com/bded2ady or type in thedailydoug at checkout to get your special discount from Manta Sleep.

[@PuffTMagicDragon]

please do Toccata Boellmann

[@stevejohnston8254]

Three instruments creating a mountain of sound - the Sparks section of this jam is truly monumental. Greatest live band ever 🎸oh, and a great review

[@Bluesrockguy]

Follow The Who, and climb the "mountain" I get excitement at their feet

[@yenlard6683]

Sparks is so good 🔥

[@martyhopkirk6826]

You’re absolutely right that they are the best live band ever. And Doug’s right that they were at their peak in 1970. Basically, if Townshend”s wearing a white boiler suit and Daltrey’s wearing a fringed jacket and has a bare chest, your ears are about to be melted. Last time I saw them was in 2023. They were sill absolutely excellent, though obviously they don’t have the energy they had back in the day.

[@mojorider8455]

my gawd, I wore this album out in high school. Loved Pete's sound out of that SG. I still get chills listening to the My Generation medley...I mean, bloody hell, so many melodic lines in Pete's guitar work

[@danijelujcic8644]

I bought the box that contained both Leeds and Hull gigs. So, my favorite My Generation ... Hull :-)

[@tuckerrogerd]

When he said "Listen to Entwhistle's Bass!" it's exactly what I was trying to focus on. So good.

[@5jerry1]

~ There's no h in the name Entwistle.

[@garyscharf9232]

The Who have many great songs, but my favorites have always come from Live at Leeds. It was recorded at the perfect time when their youthful energy collided with musical mastery, creating a raw and powerful sound that knocks you off your feet. It also catches Pete at his finest. It's nice to finally see a few people reacting to one of the greatest live albums ever.

[@patmccormick9972]

I had seen Hendrix, Zep, Stones w/Mick Taylor, etc. Nothing prepared me, or us, for The Who, just another level.

[@petervandervlies6427]

Had to buy the vinyl three times, they ware out😅 Saw The Who in Amsterdam in 1972 for the first time. Best sound i've ever heard. 💪😁👍

[@mcanderson3511]

Saw that tour in Chicago, at The acoustically perfect Auditorium Theater!

[@petervandervlies6427]

@@mcanderson3511 wow, nice. Did you have Golden Earring as the support act too?

[@user-pv7js6qb2f]

I bought this album the day it was released, and I've still got it complete with all of the paperwork, photo's etc inside! It still gets played (loud of course) although the stereo has been changed a few times over the years (worn out)! A few months after the release, I went to see them at the local concert hall doing the same set, mind blown and still is, bleedin' marvelous. I blame my deafness to playing this and others like it, but who cares? Best music ever, long live rock n roll! RIP Moon the loon and the Ox always remembered!

[@runtt01]

After "See Me, Feel Me", there are excerpts from "The Naked Eye", which is a riff Pete and the guys jammed on prior to it becoming a song, "Captain Walker" and then "Sparks". The final riff was probably another one they jammed on, but was never hatched out as a full song.

[@DJPenguino51]

Live at Leeds was my introduction to The Who. Someone threw out their old records and The Who Live at Leeds was one of them. The album absolutely floored me and I've been a Who fan ever since. Since early 1987.

[@underwoodvoice9077]

Entwhistle was called "Thunderfingers" for a damned good reason.

[@bostonwhofan]

The thing I love about the Leeds version of My Generation is every time it feels like the song is starting to calm down a bit, the band *kicks* the door open and rises it up to the next level of intensity.

[@TK-fk4po]

Arguably best live rock album of all time.

[@peterstephenson9887]

This is the greatest live album of all time, great to see your reaction. I'd be inclined to do the Isle of Wight next, you'll love seeing them play some of this material, plus pointers to where they were going next.

[@yenlard6683]

Doug should watch the Isle of Wight concert. It’s pretty amazing 🎸

[@lucifer73]

Yeah, there's no talking amongst yourselves when The Who are on 🤘😜

[@CJ-Fischer]

You are the only one that makes sense here 😮

[@Gerry-wk6cv]

I recall Roger Daltry saying "if you want to end a party, put a Who record on!"

[@Broadierevs]

There’s a reason why the Maximum R’n’B box set starts with Pete’s “sit down - stand up” rant

[@gabbleratchet1890]

If you’re listening properly, it’s because you can’t hear talking.

[@reaver5692]

Bought that album when it came out when I was 14 it was my go to album after the pub, if I was happy or pissed off the head phones went on and was turned up very loud. It still stands up today as a top live album. Shame I only saw them 52 times.😂😂

[@MrGb1965]

The entire Tommy performance from this gig is on the Deluxe version.

[@yenlard6683]

That would have been a treat for Doug.

[@georgekeenan72]

And it is glorious!!!!

[@paulramon3353]

So now do the deluxe version of Live at Leeds for full performance of Tommy - the medley also makes more sense in that conext

[@yenlard6683]

I agree. But I hardly doubt it now. It’s pretty long.

[@splitimage137.]

Always a treat when Dr. Doug listens to CLASSIC ROCK MUSIC! Right after this, in 1971, The Who released Who's Next, with the classics BABA O'RILEY ("The Teenage Wasteland song) and WON"T GET FOOLED AGAIN - a song so very timely before the next U.S. Presidential election.

[@alexshkoditch4593]

The Who used to use the end of My Generation to work out musical ideas, much like Led Zeppelin did with Dazed and Confused when they played it live. The song Naked Eye came out of the extended section and that is more apparent at The Isle of Wight version of My Generation did later that year. The record label of the vinyl was handwritten as if it were a bootleg album, hence no additional song credits other than My Generation. Aerosmith would mimic this a few years later on their "Live Bootleg" album where the listed track "Train Kept a Rollin'" actually plays a complete version of "Draw the Line" before kicking into Train.

[@howardyoung9987]

Quadrophenia, Quadrophenia, Quadrophenia, Quadrophenia.

[@phred23]

You're in luck! Doug's reacted to Quadrophenia over on his Patreon......

[@cindyrussell2028]

Yes!!!!

[@melthebell33]

one of my all time favourites i play the lp regularly

[@timmooney7528]

It's refreshing to hear them in a freeform jam environment. We're so used to hearing Pete's precise, studio works. As most bands, they began plying in live venues, and I feel this album provides a good sample of their live show at the time. other great albums from this era are Who's Next, and Quadrophenia. The album Odds and Sods is more of a compilation of leftovers and previously unreleased songs.

[@davidburton9136]

I first heard this version of "Magic Bus" on one of the Los Angeles early FM stations. I was sitting in a car waiting for my mom to return from some errand. I knew the song from the Who's early compilation album Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy, but the live version is actually quite a bit different. It blew me away, and I soon after owned a copy of Live at Leeds, the best live album ever.

[@ChristopherZen-ig2ih]

I am so happy that you played this album and especially this side of it! This version of My Generation is my favorite live song of all time. The excitement of the track, the improvisation, and especially the sparks section with its bone crushing distortion and raw power is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of rock music. Thanks for an enjoyable experience, Sir!

[@SteveMccart]

The very first time i saw the who was less than a year after this was released and it was one of my favorite records (still is) what was a big suprise was getting a preview of who's next. Back then concerts always had three or two bands but , that night only the Who played , and they played for hours...i walked home in a daze after that show. I have soo many anecdotes about that particular show. All shows in those days were an adventure.

[@BowlMN847]

I never get over how Keith blasts a fill as he comes into magic bus…..

[@oldad73]

Three guys going wild and Entwhistle just solid holding it all together. The reason you didn't hear the audience during the numbers is that we (I was there) were polite students who were completely spellbound by the performance. Also, the venue - the Uni Refectory (dining hall) - was quite small.

[@lofiloop9124]

Magic Bus was written in the 60ies, Doug. 100 British pounds was a lot of money back then!

[@johnapplegate1289]

The complete concert is on a double cd set. It is incredible. The performance of Tommy blows the studio album away. I saw The Who twice in 1969, the shows I saw were identical to Live At Leeds.

[@vicprovost2561]

One of my favorite live albums and especially this side, some of their very best hard rock jamming, Pete is in guitar God Mode and the who!e band is just in suck peak form. Great choice! Rock On! 🎸

[@vicprovost2561]

Great reaction man, this really got me going and I've heard this at least a 1,000 times in my life. Still gets me every time...

[@1QU1CK1]

Back in those days My Generation was basically a jam song that wandered into other tunes sometimes- kinda like the Grateful Dead did live but way faster and more aggressive. The first time I heard it, it sounded like theme and variation to me- Pete would get an idea and everyone would join in. I even heard a bootleg that went into Cobwebs and Strange- pretty wild! And Magic Bus was never played the same way twice, they winged it. I saw a performance where Keith and Roger traded back and forth on the claves and the sound never changed, I was impressed. The Who jam at a psychic level, just amazing. Oh yeah, for Gin and Tonic try some Empress 1908 Indigo Gin with your Fever tree- it makes the most amazing color!

[@mikewyka5733]

Keith Moon is one of the main reasons I ever picked up drumsticks. I still borrow licks from his style to this day. Large nosed drummers gotta represent!

[@michaelwoods9005]

The university of Leeds refectory, where this was recorded, is about the size of a high school cafeteria:)

[@mattshaheen5333]

I love how you can hear the sound bounce around the hall in the recording. This album is just so incredibly good.

[@dbbubba1]

The drum pattern that Kieth Moon is playing during the verses in "My Generation" is the exact same pattern that Jerry Allison plays in the verses in Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away." This shows The Who's influences.

[@johntbd]

Fun to get your take on this classic. My number one live album. The sound is incredible. The deluxe version of the concert includes the entire Tommy. Great listening again. I mut check out your part one! I don't know clave's but they are short dense wooden sticks.

[@bobgross8761]

I wore out the vinyl, too, probably by about 1972. FYI, Doug, there is a 2008 digital release that also includes a full live recording of 'Tommy'. From my point of view, it's a must-listen for all classic rock fans. Thanks for the throw-back!

[@mojorider8455]

wow, didn't we all wear that thing out? 😁

[@bobgross8761]

@@mojorider8455 That's what happens when you tape a nickel to the top of your tone arm to keep it from skipping when you're playing air guitar in front of a mirror.

[@robm9999]

Doug, why the long outro on My Generation? Because they’re The Who!! The best live rock band in rock history! That’s why! This is why they are so beloved as live performers and as a band period. They were masters on stage. Someone structured like yourself would probably have difficulty with their improvisational live style I imagine. This is EXACTLY what someone who went to a Who show wanted to hear. And Live at Leeds captured their live essence perfectly and why for so many is considered the greatest live album in history.

[@modelcitizen8731]

There shite, pete's a nonce

[@Bluesrockguy]

There is only The Who...not The Why! 😄

[@itrywayytoohard]

when i first heard this album i got obsessed with Magic Bus. went deep into a The Who rabbit hole after this. Such a good album.

[@suffolkaudiophile]

Lemmy of Motorhead once cited Live At Leeds as one of the best heavy rock albums ever made

[@jonforti7691]

One of the BEST live rock albums!

[@Bluesrockguy]

I've been really looking forward to your reaction to this side of Live at Leeds....so epic.

[@davescurry69]

Thus ending the greatest live album of all time. In my opinion of course. The intensity The Who produce on-stage is unmatched by any just act. It sounds like a cross between metal and punk. Unlike each of those genres on their own; metal doesn't have The Who's intensity and attitude, and punk doesn't have The Who's incredible musicianship. I really enjoyed your reaction to this legendary album, Doug. More Who? What about Quadrophenia?

[@alanmartin-hz5bp]

Hi Doug you now have to listen to the cd version which has the whole concert it's out of this world

[@Alerivas1971]

At first it was going to be "Live at Hull" which in the end was "Live at Leeds". Technical problems with the bass in the first songs prevented its publication, luckily as a backup they recorded in Leeds. 40 years later, using technology, they managed to replace the Hull bass with the Leeds one, thus allowing its final publication in 2012. According to Pete, the band sounded better at the Hull concert. The result is the same: the best live rock band.

[@julienthomas8321]

Thanks a lot Doug, that was so cool to hear that mesmerizing stuff again, knowing every single note of it by heart, but just having the sensation of discovering it again with you ! As you pointed out, that stretched-out version of My Generation is a medley featuring various bits from Tommy (the See Me Feel Me bit, Captain Walker, Sparks) plus a break derived from their song Naked Eye, alongside with various jam sections. Just as the thunderous take on Magic Bus, it shows the band's taste for jamming and ability for improvising, in the typical Who tradition, that is, one night they could play quite lousily, being drunked or high on something, then the following night they would be absolutely otherworldly. And it seems that night in Leeds was one of their best nights ever obviously. I've heard many live recordings from that specific period, that is the 1969-70 tour they did, bringing Tommy both in opera houses and huge festivals, many of these shows were fantastic, but I feel I've never heard any as good as the Leeds one. Be it for the performance, the relaxed and cheerful atmosphere between the band and the audience, and the general sound, everything here is just so perfect.

[@julienthomas8321]

What happens at 30'08'' (that feedback-drenched A chord) is still one of the most exciting moments in rock and roll I've ever heard ! Then they fiddle a bit with the riff to I Don't Even Know Myself (a tune from that time, they'd eventually include as a B-side to the single release of Won't Get Fooled Again), then they just make sure they set the whole place on fire entirely, then call it quits, bid goodnight and that's it. That's amazing.

[@simonagree4070]

If I were a radio DJ, it would be fun to segue from "I'm A Boy" to "It's A Girl" to " It's A Boy", just to mess with Florida politicians. 😜😄

[@motodork]

Finally someone giving some love to this stellar live album.

[@Johns690]

Doug, there's no delay effect on "My Generation " . I read that that effect is caused by the indoor venue bouncing the sound back into the audience microphones by the stage.

[@simonagree4070]

If you were in the audience, John always was on the left, to the best of my knowledge. Keep in mind, Doug, that you are listening to encores. Oh, and if you want a nice, sharp, no-medley version of "My Generation", try the version from The Smothers Brothers Show on the anthology The Kids Are Alright. Beware of Moonie's exploding drum kit, which Pete blamed for his tinnitus.

[@Tarkus7]

It would be great to hear more from Quadrophenia. "The Real Me", "The Punk And The Godfather", or anything. Arguably the best rock album ever.

[@solicitr666]

The extended version of the album includes the rest of the concert, which was a live performance of Tommy

[@chrisridley5287]

Keith Moon... brilliant! Playing on the melody line some of the time whilst playing on the bass line at others... he really was a one off

[@vaheica]

I love the story about how Jonhn got his bass heard on the album

[@BSD0614]

Doug… it was echo and not delay in this recording. The Leeds University Refectory had some spaces with acute angles which caused the sound out of the PA’s to bounce around a bit.

[@simonagree4070]

The long version is worth having (CD) -- you still don't get the "full" Tommy, but you do get a lot of the show that wasn't on the original LP -- most especially Entwistle's wonderful "Heaven And Hell", which usually led off the live shows of the period. Townshend later ruefully admitted that he might have spitefully omitted "Heaven And Hell" from Leeds and Meaty, Beaty, Big And Bouncy. For the "full" live Tommy experience, see the 2 CD Isle Of Wight Festival 1970.

[@bryanporter2240]

Fantastic live album , great reaction, Doug, enjoyed that

[@alfredoegea8973]

Marty Friedman. Album: Scenes. Song: Night. Enjoy it. Beautiful album

[@sethkaicer319]

Doug don't need to fight, to prove he's right, Doug don't need to be forgiven yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah. 😎💪🎸🧠👽👺👹🍕😁

[@markdeloria20]

For some John Entwistle love, "Boris the Spider"... he wrote and sings it. Real departure from what they usually sound like.

[@mysteriousplankton]

Bassist John Entwistle has to be the most underrated bassist of all time. He was always in the shadows of the other three's antics because he never smashed his gear, but his technique was original and amazing.

[@ImYourOverlord]

Not only is Entwistle nowhere near underrated, but he's venerated as the absolute GOAT by plenty of pro and less than pro bass guitarists the world over. No one will ever surpass him.

[@Tarkus7]

@@ImYourOverlord I say just listen to "The Real Me" to see what Entwistle is all about. Love Quadrophenia. Shout out to McCartney and Jamerson as well.

[@ImYourOverlord]

@@Tarkus7 That's usually the song I mention first as an example of his greatness :D

[@RichardRodi526]

@Doug Helvering You need to watch some videos of the Who and see if you can catch close ups of John Entwistle playing. The fingers on his right had are like a blur at times.

[@triledink]

All the songs they play after my generations were like teasers for things to come. I know a guy that showed me this live album and I became obsessed with this part. Also react to deep purple, April, river deep mountain high or Anthem.

[@dwhite849]

As both a bass player and drummer in bands The Who wrote the book on the rhythm section

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

I disagree. They were a one- off that broke all the rules as a rhythm section. Never duplicated That was part of the unique magic chemistry of this band.

[@petervandervlies6427]

@@dwhite849 Rotterdam Ahoy 1975,John Entwistle playing extremely loud, Keith Moon joined the party. Roger Daltrey screaming his head off,smiling all the time. We had a two hour rithme section concert, and maybe ten minutes of Pete Townshend, doing a great HOWEVER MUCH I BOOSE. Really huge Pete Townshend fan here,but this was one of the best concerts I've ever heard. Your comment is right on. 😁👍💪

[@Bassman2353]

Seeing them live in 1972 was one of the premium highlights of my concert-going life. The most powerful performance I ever saw.

[@richardberesford3993]

I was 14 years old when this was recorded and I have never heard another band reach the levels of creativity and spontaneity of this great band with these two compositions. This is the best.

[@doughaviland1729]

The huge fill in My Generation is the intro from TOMMY!

[@kurtb8474]

I wore by LAL album out. Check out their performance on the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus.. "A Quick One" medley. They blew the Stones away.

[@garryokeefe1605]

What a heavy progressive classic, so many changes of mood and tempo, delicate one moment but then going into explosive pieces propelled by those drums, gentle jangling notes and echo, but then majestic power chords and that amazing bass man just standing there sizzling. Daltrey must have found it hard to fit in between such medley, but the links and extended sections are so commanding and powerful and live rock of a kind you just don't hear today.

[@TsunamiBeefPies]

Thanks, as always, Doug! It was so much fun watching you hear this great album for the first time. Like lots of other commenters, I bought this album right off the bat when it came out. I was in high school, and The Who was one of my top bands (and I worshiped Keith Moon!). I bought the CD re-master, but it's been a while since I've listened to it. The one thing I couldn't get out of my mind while watching you listen to both "sides" was the ENORMOUS amount of sonic real estate that John Entwhistle occupied when that band performed live. Never heard a bass player who can also fill the role of rhythm guitarist quite like The Ox. Just astounding (and probably overwhelming in the front rows of the auditorium) the amount of sound that three instruments can produce!

[@badbruise]

It don’t get any better

[@NoLegalPlunder]

This album is life affirming.

[@jamespuleo3269]

Part of that jam became "Underture" (as opposed to an overture), the big instrumental in the *middle* of Tommy. That version features Entwhistle's french horn, as well as supplementing Keith's kit with a set of tympani. Loved it when I was eleven. Still do.

[@dennisduncan9695]

I have a cousin who spent a couple of years in England. When he returned, he gave me a copy of this LP. Awesome then, it's still awesome now.

[@joex9865]

It's been thirty years since I've listened to this. Bringing back lots of memories

[@jameslynch7826]

And just 25 years after the end of ww2. What a massive leap in music and youth culture.

[@roxammon5858]

I used to drink my home-made beer and get freaked out listening to this whole album. Along with Grand Funk, Sabbath, Purple etc. I mellowed in later years to bands like Jethro Tull. Maybe check them out ?

[@roxammon5858]

I saw them in Birmingham around 1970. My hearing has never been the same since !

[@sturgeonslawyer]

John Entwhistle _hated_ playing "Magic Bus," because he mostly played one note through the main body of the song.

[@daredevildaryl2645]

I can't think of another Live album that is more sorely in need of a remaster. I loathe having to turn up the volume to hear the band comments and crowd response between songs on my version. I guess your version doesn't have that

[@richarddefortuna2252]

The entire show - in the correct order - was remastered at half speed at Abbey Road Studios only a few years ago. All of the extended dialogue/banter is quite clear and clean, so it's likely worth you picking up if you have the interest.

[@daredevildaryl2645]

@@richarddefortuna2252 Yes, because the banter is cool. But blasting me once the next song comes on is not cool. I have it cranked just to hear him speak, sounds like a whisper otherwise

[@martyhopkirk6826]

Entwistle hated playing Magic Bus. As he put it, while rolling his eyes, “Fifteen minutes of A!”. And yes, Keith was on claves.

[@neile2001]

Best live album ever. I dont know if trying to follow keys actually helps. Pete and John have a basic schema they follow and the rest is impro. My Generation has all sorts in it. My Generation, parts of Tommy, parts of Naked Eye, its a stewing mass of ideas and its all brilliant.

[@Miwna]

It doesn't get much better than this!

[@pauleverett1628]

I don't usually comment but My Generation from Live at Leeds in my opinion is one of the the best live recordings ever made. I first heard it over 50 years ago and it has been with me ever since, in fact it is probably largely responsible for my tinnitus. Thanks for reviewing such a wonderful recording that doesn't have the profile it deserves.

[@musicbybackinnyc1]

I went to the university of Leeds to see gigs many times during the 80s and 90s . Saw the cult ,the alarm ,killing joke ,the human league,the mission etc

[@budo1968]

One of the best albums ever

[@HughCorbyCruick]

They are my definition of a “muscular” sound. So much power in how they play.

[@kurtb8474]

They often stated that they were a group more guys than girls. Aggressive.

[@caramanico1]

I will forever think that Made In Japan by Deep Purple is the best live rock album ever, Live At Leeds is most probably #2, with Carnegie Hall by Renaissance, Elton's Here and There, Zep's Song Remains The Same and Return Of The Champions by Queen+ Paul Rodgers taking up the following slots (order being determined by current mood). It's an English audience, that's the reason for the silences. That's their norm, quite the opposite from us bloody 'merkins.

[@Bill_Yarkakar_XVIII]

This is not *quite* the same version I had on LP back in the day - the bass solo bits in MG are just slightly different. That long outro was probably them stepping off the stage for a drink of water (or to tease out an encore call from the audience, who had just had their ears and minds completely blown).

[@Bluesrockguy]

I had to laugh at Doug's reaction to the My Generation bassline solo..."Wooh! Bass!" 😀

[@davidbewick9208]

Entwhistle changed the way the bass guitar was used and played. Massive influence and a genius.

[@davidschecter5247]

Great reaction. Sympathetic Nervous System! First time that has ever been mentioned on a reaction video. LOL! Great stuff!

[@johntarnowski9086]

Greatest Rock Band Ever

[@pjones8404]

Have to remember that this was recorded in what most of us would know as a student union area or cafeteria. The volume that must have been present had to be staggering!! That only makes the recording even that much more impressive!! No band in rock history had this kind of power during this period. They had no peer! The only way to listen to this album is via high resolution download. It is the only version that has not only the entire show, but in the correct concert running order!!! It is THE definitive version of this monumental recording.

[@theonewhoknows2]

Audiences were not cheering as they knew this would be a recording for their Album as they were told by the band and management not to make noise or clap. Small audience too

[@andycoombes]

Saw them lots. VISCERAL!

[@teebag4581]

You've just listened to the greatest 14 minutes of live music ever recorded

[@brandonjones1349]

Whewwww....love this vinyl! Slainte, Doug ☘️

[@tannadice1000]

Absolutely has to be Quadrophenia next. Townshend's masterpiece

[@yenlard6683]

He’s already done it

[@funincatalonia]

Probably the best live album ever put down on vynal

[@johntbd]

At times Pete is responding to his guitar coming back to the stage.

[@anthonyperugini424]

At that time British audiences were very quiet