Drummer reacts to "A Quick One (While He's Away)" by The Who

[@JimWelsh-f6l]

The who is the greatest rock band ever ever. Saw them 5 times. No rock band comes close. Keith is the greatest rock drummer ever

[@BertJamesMcKinney]

Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus! The Who, having just come off tour, absolutely blew the Stones offstage. The Stones, after finally taking the stage in the wee hours of the morning, were so outclassed by the Who the whole project was shelved and didn't resurface until the internet age.

[@redadamearth]

Yeah, Jagger thought the Stones' performance of "Sympathy For the Devil" was "sub-standard", so it was never broadcast. Personally, I think it was great.

[@richarddefortuna2252]

Well, The Who's performance was only shelved until 1978, when it was included in the film The Kids Are Alright.

[@richarddefortuna2252]

​@@redadamearthSympathy?! What about You Can't Always Get What You Want? That was all around horrid.

[@johntarnowski9086]

Imo Jagger sounds terrible live

[@markhaus2830]

@@richarddefortuna2252 That is correct. I have it on VHS Tape. Young kids wouldn't know what those are.

[@bobschenkel7921]

The whole video of "The Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus" is an amazing moment in time, Mid-December 1968 in London, England, when anything was possible. In addition to The WHO's stellar performance you also get to see Jethro Tull, with a pre-Black Sabbath Tony Iommi on Guitar. The Dirty Mac, their ONLY performance, John Lennon and Eric Clapton Guitars, Keith Richards on Bass and Mitch Mitchell, from The Jimi Hendrix Experience, on Drums. And of course The Rolling Stones for about five songs, with a very smashed Brian Jones, just before he left the band, and drowned. My advice is get this Blu-Ray DVD, totally worth it.

[@hosehead58]

I`ve got it, I love it..even the Stones part

[@Peejay1966]

You can see why punks loved The Who. Nothing quite like The 'Orrible 'Oo.

[@NigelOrmsvik]

First time Keith used the water on the drum surface, absolutely legendary, and the whole band uniquely outstanding.

[@jaylarsen5699]

That’s his sweat dude!

[@NigelOrmsvik]

@@jaylarsen5699 ✌️🤣😂

[@thegrooveoperator]

It was brandy ol boy!

[@howarddickson8856]

Maybe the best performance ever live? Off the charts good. And it's the original line up.

[@silasmarner7586]

Perhaps (???) something off of Live at Leeds is as good, but it's arguable.....

[@johntarnowski9086]

Greatest Rock Band Ever

[@jraben1065]

I have been waiting for this one, my favorite Keith Moon video. Moon at his peak youthful energy, playing masterfully, with insane antics that are beyond comprehension. The "R&R Circus" has clear stage lighting and great multi-camera filming, so it's the clearest film of Moon playing. The water spray drum-trick is new, but Moon's other craziness was typical in concert, like at the Isle of Wight. I love Moon throwing the tom-tom over his head, although there is better edited footage out there from the "Circus". Pete's and Roger's physicality was somewhat hindered by the small stage, so Moon gets our full attention.

[@cynergy4]

Whenever I watch a Who video I can never take my eyes off of the Moon

[@steeleye2112]

Same. Always has been, he was out there and like it or not, it's impossible not to look.

[@aisle_of_view]

The rest of the band would stare at Keith in concert because he was so captive.

[@lupodelupis3672]

There won't be another Keith Moon...it's impossible!

[@CarlosMoreno-jt3vm]

THIS is where The Who launched the rocket ship that would take them to the peak of their powers. The breakthrough album Tommy would be released the following May, and tours that followed it would carry them into world domination as the most exciting live band in Rock for the next several years afterward. Pete described that period as "glorious years", because through Tommy, each member of the band found himself and realized the full potential they had as performers - "because we were balanced", as Pete later said. Anytime I try to turn someone onto The Who, this is one of the first vids I show them, and nobody has been left unimpressed yet! Pete would later refer to this song, originally recorded for their second English LP, as "Tommy's parents". Absolutely BRILLIANT!!

[@silasmarner7586]

Agreed!!

[@chitownlee]

John Lennon put a band together to play at this event. John vocals and guitar, Eric Clapton on guitar, Keith Richards on Bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums playing The Beatles song Yer Blues.

[@MaddyN999]

Please hit “Won’t get fooled again” Live at Shepperton Studios. Total banger and performance is amazing

[@johnruby1732]

A great clip, for sure! Filmed for the Kids are Allright movie. Love the movie, but if you watch Moonie, he's a shell of himself. As a who fan that saw him live, six times, this was sad to watch.

[@jons3808]

@@johnruby1732I prefer the studio version for that very reason. It’s so sad to see Keith like that.

[@FaceBat]

The Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus, December 1968. Mick Jagger wouldn't allow the whole film to be released for nearly 30 years because The Who totally blew away the Stones. This clip was released in 1979 as part of The Who's documentary, The Kids Are Alright (which you should watch & react to in its entirety).

[@jraben1065]

L33's reaction: "Dude, I don't know what sound that was,,,, but MAN! Keith Moon!" I have been there too, trying to understand how Moon could play like this. Basically, I think "that sound" was Keith trying to decide which drum to hit, and then deciding to HIT Them ALL! I liked to describe Moon's Style as sounding like a drum set falling down a flight of stairs! But in the best possible way!

[@richeaton5752]

...cello...cello...cello...cello...cello...cello...cello...cello I always laugh

[@SANPARR1]

Rolling Stones Rock n Roll Circus (1968), Video recovered in 1996.

[@Rick-f1i]

I must have watched this video over a hundred times over the years. It never ceases to amaze. The energy is outstanding. There was nobody like them. EVER.

[@jeffputnam3582]

I saw the Who in early 1968 on their I Can See For Miles Tour. It was so much FUN! That's what I miss about music from the '60's. Things were changing fast in '68. Next up later that year were concerts by Hendrix, Cream, and others. The world had turned.

[@purplenewbalance]

Me too. Fillmore East. They hit us with never before seen strobe lights. Wow!

[@anthonybalistreri5226]

Keith Moon was insane on this performance.

[@SavageGrace]

December '68. Jetho Tull also played this and they played with Tony Iommi on guitar (even though he mimed)! He was a 2 week replacement for Mick Abrahams before they got Martin Barre in to play. They played "A Song for Jeffrey" & "Fat Man". Ian Anderson sang and played flute live.

[@FrankieLeeFrancis]

Awesome, man. It’s from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus filmed in ‘68. I remember when this came out on the 90s. Rumor is that it wasn’t released initially because of this particular performance. Like, The Who was better than the Stones.

[@brewstergallery]

Ned from Spain jumping the gun coz I'm totally loving that you're reacting to this. There are so many sweet moments in this that I never get tired of it. Moon is on fire a rhythmic human avalanche of smashes n bashes and hilarious too. Pete hits the boom mic above Moon but is able to save it without messing up the song and does some of his best windmills, jumps and slams while playing amazing guitar. Roger and John are both impeccable and dynamic. It's miracle that this is on film and available for us to watch. Thanks Lee.

[@stevel2504]

Such a strange song but showcases Keiths drumming so well. Mad as a box of frogs.

[@silasmarner7586]

They made a strange song seem like a mythical dynamic rock armageddon maker.

[@tnottolini]

This is from 1968. It was billed as the rock and roll circus. The Stones were the ones that thought this up. The line up was Jethro Tull, Taj Majal, The Who and the stones. The stones didn't want to release it to the public because they thought their performance was not very good, but in reality they admitted that The Who blew them away.

[@bert0522]

And The Dirty Mac. Jim

[@EdwardGregoryNYC]

And they were right. The Who blew them out of the water.

[@tnottolini]

@@bert0522 you're right. Forgot about them.

[@hosehead58]

I have to say that I enjoyed their songs, sorry

[@johntarnowski9086]

Rolling Stones rock and roll circus

[@jimhardiman3836]

You should watch the kids are alright. The greatest rock n roll film IMO.

[@davidwalsh7128]

Thank you. Thank you for the redo. All time favorite video. The band had just come home from a long tour of the US and were at the peak of their 1960’s power. They blew the roof off the Stone’s Rock n Roll Circus....

[@bluetopguitar1104]

Rock and roll circus is a must. Eric Clapton,John Lennon, Mitch Mitchell are there too. Moon was one of a kind. One of the best drummers.

[@jackpearson1110]

All of this show is well worth watching. One night in rock history. Great production, great sound.

[@Ginger7024]

The Who discovered that they bring their audience up and down after they started playing Tommy live. And they do…the speed and loudness changes make me feel like I am on a roller coaster…take me on an emotional journey. One of the things I love the most about this band is the way all of the songs have very different sounds (other than the concept/opera albums) but unique.

[@brianshockledge3241]

By the way the year is 1968.

[@alvarhanso6310]

The Rolling Stones put on a big event with most of the major bands of the time, or representatives of them. It was planned for Christmas broadcast, but after The Who blew the Stones away with this performance, the Stones shelved it until 1996. The Who's performance was so legendary, when Jeff Stein was making his rockumentary The Kids Are Alright, he was able to obtain this video (and the audio for the soundtrack) in 1979. Part of this is used extremely well in Wes Anderson's Rushmore in a scene of an escalating feud between Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman's characters. Also of note, The Who were playing the fabled Fillmore East for the first time (under that name) in April 1968, and A Quick One was in the setlist, and was used poignantly the night Martin Luther King, Jr was shot and killed, and Townshend at the end said, "and that certain someone who shot that other certain someone is forgiven". Ironically, the next time they played the Fillmore East, Pete kicked a police officer in the balls for coming onstage to get the place to evacuate due to a fire next door, so forgiveness only extended so far...

[@cromulentwords]

They look like they're from 4 different bands here. I love how their outfits couldn't possibly have less to do with each other. Part of their unique energy, especially in their early days, came from them all competing with each other onstage.

[@jeffmartin1026]

If they are playing to a bunch of clowns, they are the luckiest clowns around.

[@L33Reacts]

life's just a big joke when your playing for a bunch of clowns LOL

[@patrickcadge-moore6916]

I'm going to have to chase down more of this show

[@aisle_of_view]

Jethro Tull with Tony Iommi playing guitar. Mitch Mitchel, Keith Richards, Clapton, Lennon jamming.

[@BritIronRebel]

The Stones do a few tunes and John Lennon plays with Dirty Mack in this same Rock N Roll Circus program.

[@JimWelsh-f6l]

Pete Townshend is a musical genius

[@jeanphilippebaye1713]

The Who, why is it my favorite group? Each Who album is unique and unlike other albums. As soon as I heard “Tommy” in 1976 when I was 11, I became a fan. Pete Townshend is a genius and his solo albums confirm that. Thank you for this analysis.

[@silasmarner7586]

Filmed as part of the unreleased-until-1997 special "The Great Rock and Roll Circus". Filmed in Dec. 1968, and there were several notable bands. The song came out in 1966 on record (not nearly as dynamic as this). THe Stones sponsored this film. However, The Who so out-performed, out-crushed all comers including the Stones that the Stones refused to release it. Yes, The Who's performance so dominated the entire special. Tommy was released in March. 1969, and they commenced 18 months of touring to support it, included the mythical Live at Leeds, recorded in Feb. 1970. Live on KZbin is The Who at Tanglewood Music Shed, 7-7-70 as well. A good show. Lastly live at the Isle of Wish 1970 is available. Anyhow you can consider how close to the Tommy release that this is, made this sort of a warmup for the upcoming live shows... this performance RADICALLY differers from even earlier in the year (TOwnshend switched to SGs as here from Stratocasters, and added the Hiwatts (here early prototypes) and cranked 'em way up.. but it thickened up their sound tremendously))... and '69-'71 are considered The WHo's golden years of live performance.

[@richeaton5752]

I liked Tommy, but Quadrophenia (and the tune, Naked Eye) is what turned me into a Who fan. In '75, I turned 18, graduated HS, and could buy beer. I saw Jaws in the theater and the Frampton "Comes Alive" tour in the summer, but the absolute highlight of the year was seeing The Who with Mooney in November. Great year! I saw the Tommy tour twice in '89 and saw them once again in the early 2000s, before John passed. Here's another 10 from Pete. (and some of his best lead playing) It's Kenny Jones on drums, not Mooney, but still great. Genius lyrics. The Who Naked Eye kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaK0dI2EjMaAeLs RIP Mooney and John. Thank You!

[@brianshockledge3241]

Talking about Roger has a front man, in the early days of Zep in the States Plant said he got so many chicks because they thought he was Roger.

[@kathybwell]

That was like a shot of espresso in my coffee, maybe two! Great rocking out with The Who Wednesday mornings- thanks 😊 Lee.

[@theeloquentbaby]

Exuberant! I love them! Keith 😀! To me, Pete Townshend has a classy genius. A pure artist. Thank you, Lee and Lee!

[@mikeross14]

"The Old grey Whistle Test" show! the Who play a song that predicts the Internet"the Relay!"Kick ass song,mad drumming by Keith Moon! play it and revue it for us1

[@mikemitton6447]

This is from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. If you haven't seen it, pick it up. It has Jethro Tull, The Who, and a Supergroup 'The Dirty Mac' consisting of John Lennon, Mitch Mitchell, Keith Richards, and Eric Clapton!

[@JoTracy]

I think you'd like an Haitus Kaiyote "Red Room", "The Lung" and many more great tracks Also The Saints, and Ed Keupper

[@msfoodiediva]

BTW Roger maintained that same physique well into 60s and 70s

[@soulsurvivor5555]

That performance is from the film The Rolling Stones Rock N Roll Circus.

[@peglanier3577]

Marvelous, indeed.

[@vegdagol2843]

That was a great performance

[@jons3808]

This version is king. No one rocked this hard back then. Well done!!

[@Humb7757]

Outstanding Performance ! The best I’ve seen for this song! Period! Keith is on fire!! I love this quality and power play! Excellent! ( I am happy to own the dvd of this unreleased show at the times)

[@paulbewlay4527]

The Rolling Stones Rock'n'Roll Circus is a must see/react. You might want to do it as a watchparty, I'd be there! Let's see, we have Jethro Tull (when Tony Iommi was on Guitar), Taj Mahal, The Who, The Rolling Stones, The Dirty Mac (John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Mitch Mitchell), Maryanne Faithful, and others, along with real circus acts! I have the DVD, it's a prized possession, great features and cover art.

[@chrisowoc3463]

True rock n roll legends. LONG LIVE ROCK!!!!!!!!

[@barbarjinx3802]

Best performance in The Who’s career.

[@anthonybalistreri5226]

LOL, totally agree on John's haircut!

[@Sirala6]

It wass the 60s baby and it was groovy baby, yeah! This is a happening and it's a freak-out...

[@javier3585]

La canción pertenece al LP a Quick one de 1966 y el video corresponde al rock and roll circus de 1968. Adelantados años luz !!!!!

[@edwinawilcox663]

Absolute Who GEM! One of many. I lose my mind every time I watch this video. Never gets old!

[@gadam53]

I’ve been a Who fan since I was 9 years old, back in 1979! The best advice I can give you is to watch The Kids are Alright, it’s 1:49 minutes of the greatest Rock n Roll Rockumentary ever filmed on The Who, I’ve seen it hundreds of times, and each time is like the first time that I watched it! Now that’s Rock n Roll!!! Great reaction!!!!!

[@JohnLedger-g4i]

Organic is the word you’re looking for Lee

[@sirslice7531]

John and Yoko are in the audience, too!

[@joshoberg9797]

You've been doing Woodstock, and now it's time to do The Who's six song set for Who Wednesday. Look for The All Officially Released Material at about 28 minutes.

[@johnruby1732]

The were the Stars of Woodstock!

[@enchantedwooddesigns3462]

This shows up on their The Kids Are Alright movie that has a bunch of so good songs, interviews and just plain fun ) The song if I remember hearing right was something needed for 10 minutes that were needed to fill the album. The cello singing was because though the wanted one to play in the song they could not get someone to do it.

[@yes_head]

Hah, you gave in to all of us intertube blowhards. 😄 The 'Rock and Roll Circus' looks so good because it was produced and directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, the same guy who produced promo films for the Stones and The Beatles, including all of the footage used in the "Let It Be" and "Get Back" films. It's a treasure, especially The Who's appearance.

[@aisle_of_view]

Plus he directed the Revolution video

[@RalphSpoiledsport]

This puts a lot more context the vinyl. This would have never been seen in my area in the '60 (or the 70's really).

[@jimreeves1]

reporting for doodie sir

[@esq315]

Maarrvelous!

[@jamespopeko9557]

This is the best version and it’s totally live. Watch the “Dirty Mac” from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus also. Lennon, Clapton, and Keith Richard’s in the same band! Yeah baby, now that’s rock n roll!

[@Rikkykins57]

Like Ringo for the Beatles, Bonham for Zeppelin, Moonie was the perfect drummer for The Who. All were the grit in the oyster that created pearls. 😁

[@pnadell9231]

This was filmed for the " Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus Maximus " The Who delivers such a performance that the Stones didn't release it for decades.

[@JohnLancaster-b5x]

I have the dvd for Rock and Roll Circus. It is amazing.

[@thedogwoods5716]

You’re emotions from amazed to confused when the clowns show up is hilarious haha

[@brianshockledge3241]

As you mentioned your liking of Eminence Front watch it live from 1982.

[@hyposomniac76]

The version on the Rushmore soundtrack is the best

[@psychedelicbadger4092]

Rolling Stones... Rock n Roll Circus on blu-ray. Great show! And features the 'scratch' band of Mitch Mitchell, Lennon, Keith Richards (on bass!) and Clapton.

[@L33Reacts]

Thank you! I'm definitely interested in seeing more from this show. No matter the band. The quality is insane!

[@jonathanroberts8981]

We are all forgiven. And I can use it.

[@redadamearth]

This was "The Rock & Roll Circus" - it was put together by the Rolling Stones and it had John Lennon, Eric Clapton, The Who, The Stones (of course) and others and was a crazy live show made for the BBC at the time but was never broadcast because Jagger thought the Stones' performance was sub-standard (it wasn't). You can watch the whole thing on KZbin, I believe, or at least most of the segments. It's a pretty extraordinary time capsule of a very special moment in 1968 where the best artists of the time just got together to watch each other play. It was Brian Jones' last performance with the Stones, as well, as he drowned 7 months later. FUN FACT: Led Zeppelin had *JUST* been formed as a band and was going to be included, but they didn't make the cut. NOBODY had ever seen "Rock and Roll Circus" until 1996, when it was finally released. So nobody in 1968 *ever* saw this concert special.

[@msfoodiediva]

Because the who blew the stones away the rock n roll circus didn't surface until several decades later. Also one of the last appearances of Brian Jones in the stones before he was kicked out and passed away

[@brucedetroy719]

at the rolling stones rock and foll circus

[@Asymmatrix]

Cello cello cello cello

[@johnruby1732]

The story behind the Cello Cello was that they wanted to add a Cello to the original recording. They couldn't afford to hire one, so they improvised! Also, Brian Jones was shown at the end, dressed as a clown, next to the little person!

[@Leonwhitaker-f9j]

the Muppets tv show used Keith as their inspiration for Animal their drummer

[@thescrewfly]

I don't know why I assumed this would be the album version. Totally forgot about the Rock 'n 'Roll Circus. Have you done The Dirty Mac tracks from this show? If not, you'll definitely want to. That's definitely a very aggressive, unforgiving "forgiven"...

[@johncampbell756]

The fun thing about the Jethro Tull performance is that they were playing their single, which they couldn't play live as Ian sings, plays flute and harmonica. So Ian's vocals and flute is live, but the rest of the band is miming to the record. The guitarist on stage is not the guitarist on the recording so the CD and DVD have different credits. The guitarist seen was only in Tull for maybe two months before returning to his band Earth. He complained about how Ian ran the band like a dictator, reheasring and rehearsing. He hayed it, but he knew it worked so he did it to hus own band. Soon, they would rename themselves Black Sabbath. You get to see Tony Iommi miming skide guitar on a white Stratocaster. I was blown away when I bought the DVD having had no idea Tony was ever in Tull. He never actually recorded with them.

[@pauloles2475]

They called themselves The 'Orrible 'Ooo😂

[@shanemcivor8319]

They wouldn't give the cash for Chellos so they decided to sing it instead

[@827dusty]

This was a video/movie, that the Rolling Stones put out to showcase their upcoming album, and also to compete with The Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour." The Who were one of maybe 5 "guest artists and Bands." They completely stole The Stones Thunder, and the show itself. It was called, "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus." People were in an audience of about 50, and they were all made up as odd clowns, and fantasy figures. It was very psychedelic and surreal. You have to see it to for yourself. This was about 1967, I think.

[@Keith_M00N66]

John has completly the Joan of Arc's haircut, look your History's books...😂

[@jamespopeko9557]

This is from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. Jethro Tull, John Lennon, and a fantastic performance from the Stones. But…,The Who blew the other bands away with this performance.

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

There was talk years ago about Pete T. being a watcher of improper movies with children in them. He was investigated for it. He said he was doing research about it. I don’t know what came of this investigation.

[@lassekristoffersen5906]

TUSEN TAKK = thousend thanks.

[@joannparker1977]

Very early stuff. I’ve never heard this.

[@johntarnowski9086]

🤘😎🤘

[@robertscola4762]

This is from The Rolling Stones rock and roll circus the who made the stones look weak so it was never released until later on

[@javier3585]

Buddy Rich amaba a Moon, él admiraba la frescura y libertad de Moon, lo cual es todo un cumplido dada la reticencia de Rich, respecto a los bateristas de rock. Tony Williams respetaba mucho a Moon, y Elvin Jones cuando escuchó Tommy dijo "es todo un baterista, mantiene el ritmo cuando cae" Moon era distinto, en los primeros discos se manifiesta su técnica clásica de jazz o shuffle, pero luego su creatividad fue absoluta, decayendo a medida que las drogas y el alcohol lo consumían. Tal vez si hubiese sido más disciplinado hubiese logrado una performance ortodoxa, empero no sería Keith Moon! Es lo que creo. Saludos cordiales

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

A very favorite performance by The Who! 😎

[@percyrd1]

That clown is Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones

[@tomtompkins7546]

I love how Keith just yeets The floor Tom away after the soon be home part.

[@AdaedA1]

Beatles, Stones, Zepplin, Who. That’ll keep you busy for a couple years.

[@AdaedA1]

Sprinkling a little Dead here and there on the weekend!

[@profjohnfrinks]

Since you fancy eminence front, so much... you must do it live... also, john pioneered splitting the high and low frequencies and a lot of the sound you are hearing is actually him, even though you think you are hearing a lot of low end. John is a major contributor to the who sound and Pete has spoken at length about it. Chris Squire and other good company would follow!