The Who - A Quick One While He's Away

[@longgrayline8055]

You just witnessed, in my opinion, the first alternative rock band. The Beatles had some alternative idea songs but the Who dedicated themselves to being the band that traveled the unbeaten path from day one. They had the musicians to do it. Their drummer Keith Moon always took things to the next level when it came to a performance. They were essential to the world of rock and roll. Long live The Who!!!!!!!

[@zaftra]

lol

[@arthurbishop3173]

FUCK YEAH we did!!!

[@davidjfoster2133]

This is the BEST live performance in rock & roll history!

[@stevenmcghee6649]

It's an amalgam of three different takes of the same number but, yes, I know what you mean!

[@capriwise7507]

After Live At Wight Who Festival, and Live at Leeds...

[@Ruda-n4h]

It's why the Stones didn't want the Rock n Roll Circus released as the Who showed them up.

[@EdwardGregoryNYC]

You're witnessing The Who blowing the Stones out of the water on their own 1968 TV special "Rock and Roll Circus". "A Quick One..." released in 1966, is also considered the birth of the rock opera format. As far as the first album-length rock opera, the Pretty Things beat The Who's "Tommy" by a year with "S.F. Sorrow" in 1968.

[@jasongreenberg5206]

The Rolling Stones were so mad that The Who played so well

[@FredGarnett]

Cool observation! I bought SF Sorrow at the time and still love it ;)

[@sib183]

the set was early, the Who were still sober, and they had just finished a tour so everything was tight. by the time the stones got on, they were drunk and spaced out, and the audience was drunk and inattentive. at least the stones eventually released it, recognizing that beauty should not be hidden.

[@msmilie]

Finally, a reaction to the Who when Keith Moon was in his mothereffin' prime! This song never quite made it in its studio form, but the live versions, particularly from 69-71 when the Who were arguably the best live rock band in the world, were so freaking good. Maddie, check out some of the videos floating around of the Who's performance at the Isle of Wight festival in 1970. It'll turn your brain into enjoyable pudding paste and your legs into jelly shake, rattle and roll.

[@bert0522]

I saw them in 1971 on the Who's Next Tour with Wishbone Ash as opener. What a great concert, they estimated about 8,000 would attend but over 30.0000 of us showed up. All for the price of a $2.00 lawn seat. From when we got there till we got home was roughly a 20 hour fun fest. Jim

[@MikeytheGeek7711]

They referred to this song as a mini rock opera. Townshend took a few different song ideas and combined them into one. At one point, when the song transfers from one part to another, their manager wanted them to incorporate a cello in the bridge, but instead of doing that, they all sing, "cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello..."! I love that!

[@sib183]

the story i heard (read in a book?) is a little flipped, pete wanted a cello (after hearing some beatles stuff) but the manager would not pay for it, thus the cello cello cello. either story is excellent

[@phosphorescentscotsman]

This was filmed in dec 1968. It is a segment of The Rolling Stones R&R Circus. The stones didn't release it for 3 decades, because they felt they were out-done by the other acts.

[@MrUndersolo]

Specifically, these guys!

[@tedleever3559]

It was in “ The Kids are Alright“ album and film… not 30 years from 1968 maybe 10?

[@danquinnell3502]

What’s just now occurring to me is the ABSOLUTE conviction that every one of them puts into every note and action.

[@mikemike1425]

Best live band in their time

[@bobschenkel7921]

The WHO is a London, England based band, and their songs reflect that. To get the full story of "A Quick One", listen to their classic "Live At Leeds" concert. Pete gives a summary of the mini-opera before they play it, that is almost as long as the sequence itself. This performance was so good it caused Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones to shelve their "Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus" for almost 30 years. Mick wasn't happy with The Stones performance, which wasn't that bad, but Brian Jones was noticeably under the influence, so... .

[@inviduallytwisted5423]

and Mick was a little flat going into the first chorus of Jumping Jack Flash

[@kbrewski1]

This was a precursor to the full Rock Opera Tommy that was done in 1969. Pete called it a "mini rock opera". Hence all the operatic type vocal interplay. Its rare all 3 sang together on one song. I heard this song on album/cd long before I saw this video performance. The video had been filmed way back in 1968, but it never was shown on TV as intended or released on video until just within the last 20 years. This is probably from the blu ray transfer so its the best I've ever seen it. Its much more fun to watch them playing it live, their antics, especially drummer Keith Moon, are hilarious and fascinating. The Rolling Stones hosted this "Circus" and The Who so outperformed them, that the Stones were embarrassed and blocked the release for decades.

[@richardyoung3462]

It was actually used in the documentary The Kids are Alright in 1979. We used to watch the midnight movies showing of it during the 1980s at the local theater. The rumor was that they (being the director of the Who documentary) heard about a rare showing of the footage from the unseen 1968 show and they snuck into the projection room while it was being shown, literally cut the film and collected it while it played, and then ran off with it. The other story had to do with Keith Moon rigging a pedal to a water hose/sprinkler, which is why you see the water going everywhere near the end of the song. It's one of the few times you can actually see John Entwistle crack a smile when he sees what's happening as Keith is hammering away.

[@kbrewski1]

@richardyoung3462 Are you saying this Rock and Roll Circus live video performance was shown completely in the Kids Are Alright documentary film? Because I've had that DVD for decades and I don't remember seeing it. The first time I was aware of it was when they finally released Rock and Roll Circus on DVD.

[@richardyoung3462]

@@kbrewski1 In the theatrical version, it was a part of the movie. I think there were some obvious rights issues when it came to being released on home video formats like DVDs. The local theater had a good run over several years showing movies like The Kids Are Alright, Stop Making Sense, The Last Waltz, and others. All film stock showings, as midnight movies on the weekends.

[@gregsager2062]

@@kbrewski1 It was definitely in *The Kids Are Alright* . In the documentary, the clip begins with Keith Richards, dressed in a ringmaster's costume with a top hat and an eyepatch, introducing them: "And now ... dig the Who."

[@davidburton9136]

I was already a big Who fan before I ever heard "A Quick One". Who's Next came out when I was 14 and it in a way changed my life. I kept buying their new albums and as I could afford, I started exploring their earlier stuff, and that's how I discovered "A Quick One". The studio version of this was not nearly as electrifying as this performance, plus here you got to see the showmanship of all the members. John Entwistle's showmanship mainly consisted of being the best bass guitarist on the planet, but he had that very compelling voice too, especially in these earlier years. Thanks for reacting to this one...and let's here for Moonie on drums!!

[@davidellis5141]

Many songs by The Who 🇬🇧 end in chaos ! 🎸

[@TheNeonRabbit]

8:15 "Where did all the water come from?" It's Keith Moon. Just be glad the building's not on fire

[@CeeHoff]

Or that he didn't put in too many cherry bombs into his kick drum and risk Pete becoming deaf in one ear... again XD

[@gumbowski]

at about the 6:19 mark, the band starts saying "Cello" over and over. Pete wanted cellos on the studio recording but is wasn't in the budget, so Pete had the band sing "Cello" where they would have been

[@priceduncan9]

Ivor the Engine was a black and white stop-motion cartoon using cardboard cut out figures against watercolour baackgrounds. It first aired in 1959.

[@claytonkaeiser6214]

Recorded on my birthday in 1968. The Who were reaching their peak as a live band and would be among the best--if not the best--live rock acts until 1972. This is an outstanding performance & glad they got it on tape.

[@loosilu]

from 1969-1974 or so, no one could touch them.

[@FleagleSangria]

The perfect melding of the english past with british humor the dramatic theatre and rock n roll. One of the greatest live performances in rock n roll.

[@mldkenny]

I saw them Live in 1968 on Hastings Pier, East Sussex England, only about 800 audience allowed, my ears were literally blown out! What a band!

[@geraldobrien7323]

Literally?

[@loosilu]

shut up! I'm jealous!

[@lupodelupis3672]

Lucky you...i want a time machine!

[@lokisez]

love how they sing "cellocellocellocello" because even though Entwhistle had written cello parts, they forgot to book the players

[@MaddyReactions]

😂😂☺️

[@davidrboland]

​@@MaddyReactions@lokisez They didn't forget to book the players - their manager Kit Lambert refused to pay for them, so they sang "Cello, cello, cello" as a p*sstake.

[@greenturtle8667]

I love Maddy's reactions of The Who! More please!!!

[@Roddy1965]

Pure effing genius. Magical. Silly, yet masterful. Pure rock.

[@gregsager2062]

What was I thinking when I first saw this clip of the Who performing a "A Quick One" at the *Rock and Roll Circus* TV show put on by the Rolling Stones? I was thinking it was the coolest, most amazing live performance I've ever seen anybody do. Still think that, many years later. The Who were in their own league as a live act, and this captures them back when they still did spot-on choirboy group harmonies while flailing around like maniacs and playing their instruments, which is no easy thing to do.

[@MaddyReactions]

So true!!

[@davidrboland]

They were a great live act, but it should be remembered that they had just finished a tour and were extremely well-rehearsed, whereas the Stones hadn't played live for a while & were extremely under-rehearsed - plus Brian Jones was in a poor state & would die only a few months later. If you watch the whole show you can see that Jagger is trying to single-handedly drag a lacklustre Stones through their set.

[@timothyburnside3229]

The creativity of the WHO is right next to the Beatles! Great to see you back, just not the same when we cannot see your smile while discovering our generation of classic rock!

[@MrUndersolo]

Absolutely one of the best performances by the Who in this period!

[@otaviorocha4156]

its great that you actually listen to the song, and did very few stops, and then you made your impressionsm thats rare nowadays thank you

[@chrislaustin]

This band was always just so ferocious, as they destroyed instruments at one time to get noticed, and before they became popular they performed together many times per day, most days of the week. So yeah, once they "made it", they were a cohesive band in their playing, harmonies, songs, etc. When I first started to see videos of their live performances, I just didn't know a band could attack the moment like this. They very much had an absolute controlled chaos I've never seen from any other bands, as I've seen other bands be chaotic, but never sound so good. And I've seen bands sound amazing, but could never be chaotic while doing so, The Who was truly one of a kind.

[@timwest78]

My favorite band. Cant say at their greatest. Everytime they took the stage. Was just awesome.

[@davescurry69]

The first time I saw that clip (several decades ago), I was completely blown away by it. It stands up incredibly well considering that performance was 56 years ago!

[@johnjacobs5766]

Maddy, Your assessment at the end of video where you speak of the song and The Who as a band was spot on.

[@chrislaustin]

I was born in 71 when The Who's best album(and most popular) "Who's Next" was released, and while I knew their radio tunes growing up(Pinball Wizard, WGFA, Bargain, Etc.) I didn't become a fan until 1994. That was when their "30 Years of Maximum R&B" was released and PBS locally had a donation drive offering that, and showing tons of Who content. At that time, this performance was only known from the "The Kids Are Alright" documentary on the band that had a very abbreviated version(shown on PBS), but it made me a fan all the same. It was originally part of the Rolling Stone's Rock & Roll Circus from 1966, and it was never released and rumors stated it was because of how well the Who performance was, and it made the Stones look bad(was finally released in 1996). I don't know how true that was, as the Stones are still a solid band, but no one could hold a candle to The Who at that time. This was before the band made it big, while many of their contemporaries of the time had HUGE careers in the States as well as abroad(The British Invasion of the time). And you could see how hungry they were in this performance, just showing an absolute skill set not match to this day. I was to young to ever get to see them with Keith Moon, but got to see them once with Entwistle, and twice without him. As I had a ticket to see them June 28, 2002 at the Hard Rock in Vegas for the launch of their tour that year, and John died the night before. While very saddened and upset by the news at the time(the band did make up the show), I couldn't be to upset, as he lived the rock star life his entire career. And going out doing blow and in the company of a working girl, how upset could you really be, we should all be so lucky. LOL Long Live The WHO!

[@mikerant4135]

One of the most lunatic, disconnected, innocent loads of old tosh you'll ever hear, but then, that was the Who! In amongst the mayhem and irreverence there were unlikely harmonies (as you remarked), a demonstration of drumming yet to be surpassed, a popular folk song of the 50's (intro) and enough windmill guitaring to power half of England. They did a good few of these 'romps', notably 'Boris the Spider' which was a chart hit. It's hard to take the music seriously, but then that was the whole point, and yet, it's like a car wreck - it's impossible to look away. They were, are and will always be, the ultimate experimenters - and when you see this kind of madness, they get into your mind and you're captured. Few bands could get away with this - even then - or now, but aren't we glad they did!!?:

[@calguy3838]

Two more songs by The Who that are absolute must do's: "Baba O'Riley" and, especially, "Love Reign O'er Me."

[@victorbradshaw7359]

Interesting choice ty

[@MaddyReactions]

No problem!

[@TomReichner]

First time I ever heard this "song" and I loved it! And I am glad that I got to see you react to it as I was reacting to it. BTW, your hair looks beautiful and fun!

[@justingower4535]

Keith sometimes would put water in the drums. He even played with the bass drum full of water and goldfish.

[@tachikomakusanagi3744]

The Who - Lead Singer: Roger Daltry Lead Guitarist: Pete Townshend Lead Bass: John Entwistle Lead Drums: Keith Moon

[@markusjohannes9590]

That's so true!

[@io2467.]

I think this is one of the only times, that It's better to listen to this version of the song and not the studio version. The studio version is alright, but this is top tier

[@davidrboland]

Strangely both this & John Lennon's performance of "Yer Blues" with the Dirty Mac supergroup assembled for this concert are better than the studio versions. Keith Richards' bass part on the latter works much better than Paul McCartney's on the White Album.

[@io2467.]

@davidrboland I actually haven't listened to Yer Blues at the rolling stones circus (of course I've heard the studio version), I guess I'll have to find out for myself, if its better or not

[@davidrboland]

@@io2467. Here it is. John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix drummer). kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJapqJSNe7l6j7csi=kbpXCyJYzFkcG1nP

[@geraldobrien7323]

Wow, I never thought of the story in the context of a war, but it makes sense. Thinking about it now, that’s exactly how Tommy begins.

[@njwho68]

Another great reaction of my all time favorite band...not an easy song to react to...this is a killer version as well

[@TheRscorp]

One of the best live performances ever

[@davidpahlka6301]

It took me a while to understand it. Actually it took one of the band members a long time to understand it. He was thinking of an innocent boy taking a nap with the engineer when some music critic suggested it was about a pedifile relationship. He took therapy to regress him to childhood to find out if he had been molested as a child. It turned out he wasn't. Another song which confuses critics is "Behind Blue Eyes" which some people think it's about a serial killer or a hit man for the IRA. Writers like Bob Dylan won't tell you what they were thinking when they wrote what they did. I write poetry and if I don't take notes, I won't remember it or can tell you what exactly was going through my head.

[@memorylane7068]

Love the energy of the Who with their original lineup. They were all very talented as individuals. Check out a John Entwistle bass solo sometime. they were at the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus. Brian Jones was applauding in the audience after the song. The Who made a movie titled The Kids Are Alright.

[@VIDSTORAGE]

They were wild and creative up to the time drummer Keith Moon died of alcoholism and it never was the same with drummer Kenny Jones but Kenny is great .. chek out I CAN SEE FOR MILES by The Who

[@chrisowoc3463]

There is a reason there are certain bands who are considered true rock n roll legends. Long Live Rock!!!!!!

[@EmmaMonroe000]

The entire Rock n roll circus was bonkers , The Rolling Stones doing sympathy for the devil was a highlight .

[@priceduncan9]

Most of the Who's early songs used harmony. As did the Beatles, the Hollies, the Byrds, and of course, the Beach Boys. Before Keith Moon joined the Who he was in a surf band! Chris Hillman of the Byrds and Roger Daltrey of the Who had very curly hair, which, in order to look like the Beatles they had to have straightened.

[@barrycross2585]

they are English from London, thanks for posting this song, im a long time fan but this is a song that escaped me

[@feiny5008]

Hard to believe its Ox (base player John Entwhistle) with all those falsetto vocals...Legends!

[@stevel2504]

It's a mad crazy song but Keith moons drumming is fantastic. Great video.

[@davidrboland]

He was only 22 years old here. Townsend was only 23 & the other two were 24.

[@davidrboland]

Keith Moon was only 22 years old here. Townsend was only 23.

[@byronwoodleymaund1439]

Its a Joy to watch, "youre all forgiven !!"

[@bigfoot-id8bv]

The WHO was my jam back when I was a youngster, saw them a bunch of times and was devastated when Kieth Moon died, thanks for the reaction video, I came for the music but I’ll be back cause Maddy is the cutest thing ever!

[@BernardWilkinson]

Ivor the Engine Driver was a cartoon shown in England/Britain in the 1960's-1970's in which Ivor the Engin Driver would go on adventures helping people with his talking train (he would talk to the train engine and it would reply to him with a whistle or a "woo woo, chuga-chuga chuga-chuga" a bit like the dog Lassie the dog - "Whats that Lassie, the kids are stuck down the mine and the walls are caving in.........Woof, and there are only seconds to spare......Woof" I loved my childhood!

[@gadam53]

Priceless reaction!

[@garymorse7249]

This song is the Who's first venture in writing a rock opera. The rock opera Tommy was next on the Who's horizon. There is a documentary on you tube called "the Who's Tommy, the Amazing Journey, a tv documentary 1993". It is about an hour and shows with interviews by the Who and others. It shows bits of the Who's songs from 1965 up to and including Tommy, being performed live and explains what drove them to write Tommy and how it evolved into the movie in 1975, then into the broadway play in 1993. Excellent. It gives you a good representation of the Who's brilliance.

[@lupodelupis3672]

This performance is what rock'n roll is all about...

[@aisle_of_view]

Michael Lindsey Hogg directed this, as he did the Get Back sessions the following month

[@patbrewer4205]

For some reason this is first review of yours I’ve seen in at least a month

[@anthonyflynn9953]

Actually a series of shorter musical ideas stitched together, a predecessor to “Tommy”, this charming non-sequitor gets overwhelmed by the power of the Who’s live performance. Filmed for the Stones “Rock n Roll Circus TV special, the band blew everyone else off the stage. To put it simply, at their peak The Who were the greatest live band in the history of Rock & Roll.

[@timwest78]

You have to understand the story about the song. There are six parts to this song. . Was the precursor to their album Tommy. That is something to watch. The london concerr in1969 is fantastic to watch.

[@ednicholson7839]

The entire Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus film is worth checking out. There are also great performances by Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal and Marianne Faithful. The Rolling Stones are good too but the weakness of the film is that the Stones seem a bit ragged compared to their best live performances elsewhere.

[@alonzocoyethea6148]

It may have been the Rolling Stone's Circus, but the Who stole the show!! ( Keith had a water-balloon sprinkler pedal near his set). They were getting ready for thier upcoming rock opera LP and film , "Tommy" with songs like this. As for your summary, I think it's about Ol' Ivan knoiwing all the war wives were lonely and made sure he stopped in the towns regularly for...Um, service.

[@VintageWanderer]

one of the best live songs ever!

[@gadam53]

The who had 10 minutes left on their 2nd album, and couldn’t ( at the time) write a 10 minute song, so Pete Townsend wrote a 10 minute story, made up of 2:30 songs , it was called the mini opera, A quick one while he’s away, it has nothing to do with the war, just about a girl who waits on her lover and cheats on him when he is late to get home! I was 9 years old when I first saw this performance on The Kids are Alright!

[@michaelwebster8389]

I don't know if it's about soldiers, but it's sure about a guy who goes away for a long time, and his very sad and lonely partner/wife has her faithfulness tested, and it comes off second best. They were children of WW2 though, so the trauma of their parents generation certainly haunted their music.

[@justitia257]

Great band, Gorgeous Maddy

[@MaddyReactions]

Thank you!!

[@Jonathan-iq3sg]

No glasses and still adorable....🤗

[@MaddyReactions]

💞

[@Jonathan-iq3sg]

@MaddyReactions Seriously, you're drop-dead gorgeous.

[@michaeldavid6284]

Both a bizarre and brilliant concept. It's also known as the Mini Opera, and foreshadowed the album "Tommy" that was released a little over 2 years later.

[@markusjohannes9590]

John Entwistle called "The Ox" one of the best bass players! RIP

[@concernedcitizen-1958]

Welcome back!! :) I can't speak for everyone, but as for me, I've missed you, your smile and your special energy! And of course, the reactions. I hope all has been well with you. Interesting reaction choice.Please check out Neil Young's "Cortez The Killer" next. ✌️ ☮️ ❤️ 🎸 🎶 🎵

[@MaddyReactions]

Thanks so much for the kind words 🥹

[@concernedcitizen-1958]

@@MaddyReactions 😉

[@nicholasthomas3635]

She's back! Yes, I too saw the Who in '80 (Blackfoot was the lead act, check them out) & '82.

[@MaddyReactions]

💞💞💞

[@patsow4797]

The video is from what was called the Rolling Stones rock ‘n’ roll Circus. I definitely suggest you watch the entire gig, watching the stones

[@JOHNWLOUCKS]

I first heard A Quick One when the Happy Jack album came out here in the U.S. This live performance takes A Quick One to a new level. I eventually saw the original four 11 times. Sitting through 2+ hours of the live Who was an uplifting and jaw dropping experience. Personally although I like some of the early RS stuff I thought they were dreadful live. As soon as I heard my first Who record, I quickly forgot about the RS.

[@alkholos]

This was always one of my favorite Who songs. I love the part where Ivar the Engine Driver is introduced and the song slows a bit while Keith plays at double time. So intense.

[@hesketh1965]

Love Pete's accent when he talks, unashamedly west London (like my own accent).

[@sib183]

bit of trivia, the band manager refused to hire a cello player, so they sang "cello cello cello" and "bow bow bow" where it belonged

[@javier3585]

The Who. Adelantados a su época. 1966 LP "A quick one" 1968 live, "Rock and Roll Circus" (Rolling Stones)

[@PFay]

This clip is from the Stones’ Rock and Roll Circus. This explains the odd looking venue and audience, Brian Jones among them seen near the end of this clip. If viewing Rock and Roll Circus in its entirety, many famous faces appear among the audience including John Lennon.

[@torreydunn7034]

Great great choice.

[@davidwalsh7128]

They had just come off months touring the US and were at their 60's peak as the ultimate Power Pop Band

[@kbrewski1]

I would hardly call them power pop. They were clearly a hard rock band.

[@timbaker6540]

The Bloody WHO ! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@robertscola4762]

considered a mini opera , this is from The Rolling Stones rock and roll circus the performance was so much better than the stone’s performance that they shelved the movie for decades

[@nicholasthomas3635]

Yes, they are English. And like America there are different accents & slang spoken. Especially since this song was written & performed nearly 60 years ago England.

[@MaddyReactions]

Ahhh

[@MrMissy1964]

My first thoughts, were how intensely, passionately, and earnestly these boys used their considerable skills to deliver a message that seems intended for me. "You are forgiven." I am forgiven. We are all forgiven. I nearly cried.

[@richpardey766]

Long time no see , good to have you back , I missed you 👍✌️💜

[@saverioc2929]

Insanely good

[@Patsy_Parisi]

A great song hosted by a stunning model

[@philerrup9948]

This is called the 'rolling stones rock and roll circus'. It was available on dvd.

[@johngolden5257]

Moonie at his musically maniacal best!

[@Juanjin1961]

Best band

[@davidgriffith3938]

This was the Who at the peak of the all out circus act phase. After this, Pete got more serious about their music.

[@peterbeard3567]

Oh yesssssss my boys!!🇬🇧

[@foxbor0]

I love them singing "cello cello cello cello...." instead of having cellos playing

[@paulschauerman2052]

This is The Who pre-Woodstock and they were as tight as can be.

[@Lemmingadventures]

The first punk band.

[@JimWelsh-f6l]

Pete Townshend is a musical genius. He writes stories and very successful rock Ioperas. Saw the who 5 times greatest rock band ever

[@michaelm6948]

It's 1968, John Lennon of the Beatles and Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones can be seen in the studio audience.

[@jonmcalister1802]

I have always loved this performance, but I was much older when I learned that the “girl” in the song is underage. The lyrics say, “Little Girl Guide…” A Girl Guide is like a Girl Scout in the US. The age range is 11-17.

[@optimusprime2]

The Who: baby don't you do it (Who's Next) extended version

[@woverby1963]

I dont know for sure but at 6:30 i heard they wanted cellos playing here but couldnt afford it so they just all say cello together. I personally think its way cooler and great sounding than a cello would be!