The Who - Water - Isle of Wight 1970

"Water" is a song by the English rock band The Who, originally appearing as the B-side to "5.15" in 1973, and again to the single "Love, Reign o'er Me."
Background
After the success of Tommy in 1969, Pete Townshend began work on Lifehouse. For the first recordings, he produced several demos at his Eel Pie Studios which were related to Lifehouse.[2]
Meaning
It was during these sessions that "Water" was first recorded in the spring of 1970.[3] The plot in Lifehouse revolved around a totalitarian society without rock music. In this society, there is also rampant pollution which becomes a teenage wasteland. "Water" talked of the toughness of everyday life and how:
"They need water, And maybe somebody's daughter."
Live/compilation appear
Live history
"Water" was played by The Who from 1970 until 1971, including at the final show at the Young Vic on 26 April 1971.[4] It made its first live appearance at the first show at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York on 7 June 1970.

[@jameshw9751]

When Daltrey opens up on vocals, it’s a revelation. The guy was one of the great rock singers of all time.

[@brianjacob8728]

greatest scream in rock and roll

[@n.s2353]

@@brianjacob8728 primal roar. The mythic scream of rock.

[@Floyd_Flynote]

He is still one of the greatest.

[@jaimedrum]

guy embodies a lion

[@allbottledup9513]

He’s my favorite rock vocalist of all time, hell maybe just my favorite vocalist period. Rock wise, he’s up there with the greats like Marriott, Plant, Mercury, Gillian, Scott/Johnson, Seger, Richard, etc etc.

[@shaunm.2738]

Daltrey... The power he had at that age was incredible.

[@n.s2353]

Even near 80 he ´s incredible. Pete too

[@steveprudell9976]

Looking / sing in very top notch 👌

[@steveprudell9976]

Keith omg sad loss

[@RichardMedhurst]

I must admit, this has to be one of Townshend's best works. It captures the blues so well but at the same time you can tell it's The Who. Love this song.

[@n.s2353]

And the slap is also great. RIP Keith the Moon. The first drummer hero…whit Bonzo of course.

[@wobblybobengland]

@@n.s2353 he invented drums

[@OlafProt]

It's probably my favourite track too. Pete's rhythm playing was truly at its height and there's minimal guitar noodling just loads of danceable bluesy groove. Fucking amazing.

[@MouthBreatherGaming]

Meh, there's usually a reason or more it wasn't on an album. It's just meandering and was obviously something they were working through. Also... "we need water... and maybe somebody's daughter."

[@antileft6776]

Absolutely the greatest live band ever.

[@bungalowbill4912]

Best live band of all time. No one touches them

[@meneymueller6471]

Absolut

[@remonholubek8123]

Watch Creams Sunshine of your love life at Royal Albert Hall 1968 (from their goodbye tour); they were an incredible live band as well 💪🏼

[@meneymueller6471]

@@remonholubek8123 Yes, creams are very good too

[@brianshockledge3241]

@@meneymueller6471 Especially with strawberries.

[@christophermclaughlin9845]

Fact

[@Gruntfuttock100]

Moon is the sonic equivalent of heavy artillery

[@anthonyfelker1712]

FIRE FOR EFFECT!!

[@macurban7946]

Probably better than Ringo

[@leftystevenson2436]

Great. Shame he didn't know how to play the drums though

[@jamesfetherston1190]

Nice to see footage of him in his prime. All too many old Who footage has them miming for tv. Watching him really play is killer.

[@allbottledup9513]

⁠​⁠@@macurban7946In his own way, yes. Two different styles of drumming though so hard to compare. Ringo was stylish and very careful, and all about feel to quote him. Kieth was wild and very loose, and more emotional in his drumming. Ringo was definitely more skilled, on a technical level, but I’d prefer Kieth any day.

[@nickfane6729]

That fill at the beginning of the song has got to be the single deciding factor that makes Keith Moon my favorite drummer.

[@OlafProt]

Yup ❤ it's funny though he plays a lot of the song quite straight (for him 😂). I can't decide if I prefer this or the Young Vic version

[@BernhardRottweiler]

Each one a real character - and they fit perfectly together...

[@TheNightmare75II]

Meanwhile, John Entwistle lurks in the shadows, observing the show as his fingers do all the work.

[@carlosespinola1508]

TheNightmare75II Is the Ox.. rare see smiling or do something.

[@lupodelupis3672]

It's amazing how John played his bass effortless....and the sound that came out was so heavy and intense!!!

[@davidreichert9392]

He's the only one who can rock the house and look bored doing it.

[@93qketq8]

With the coolest clothes on the stage.

[@rabindranabraham2681]

This song belongs to John and Keith

[@JV-lq9gp]

This band deserves much more recognition.

[@carlosespinola1508]

for me this performance destroys zep and stones

[@carlosespinola1508]

jm v and queen

[@mikebennett153]

I feel like the who are pretty hyped still, equate them to zeppelin in terms of best live bands

[@TimSchmidt_art]

Not sure how much more recognition than "best band ever" needs.

[@DamnedDave]

They are the best ever live band.

[@war6431]

Cream, Hendrix and The Who getting it done at the highest level. Will never see powerhouse acts like these again.

[@joek7504]

Holy Christ this is incredible.

[@gcfcos]

Petes guitar sounds beautiful, best I've ever heard him play. Keith is in another dimension. Incredible

[@timhoovermusicman]

His solo in naked eye... The first 3 notes are like the meaning of life...😮

[@n.s2353]

@@timhoovermusicman Cette période musicale a va l’apparition de Géants. On a souvent tendance à oublier que la section rythmique est un pilier essentiel du groupe. L’apparition de l’importance de la batterie s’est produite avec Bonzo et Moon the Loom

[@timhoovermusicman]

@@n.s2353 i'm sorry,I can not translate your comment🙋‍♂️

[@gossard56]

i know Pete was far from the best technical guitarist of all time but the raw power and intensity that he plays with blows my mind. Enough so that I named my son after him!

[@MrBamcito]

just listen to odd&sodds

[@brianjacob8728]

His reputation has risen drastically over the last 20 years, according to Rolling Stone. For everything he brought to r&r: rock operas, power chords, feedback, on stage theatrics, his songwriting, multi-instrumentalism, his playing stands the test of time.

[@n.s2353]

Not a fine techicien, but full of agressivity. Many excellent guitarists are not agressive. Hl lvl of distorsion, or shredding is not the same.

[@p6x2]

I beg to disagree. Pete Townshend was extremely technical as a rythme guitar player. Check his right hand work in several of the Who's compositions; pinball wizard one example among many. True, he never was a soloist. Notable too, the ability to gesticulate and remain in time, even when making large amplitude right arm movements. He had an uncanny ability to use sus chords too, for maximum effect. The guitar parts were amazingly simple but so musical!

[@tedgreen6]

I named my son Tommy. Ha!

[@jakexou812]

I think this is the best performance from Keith Moon that I've been able to find online. His fills are incredibly quick and diverse. He changes time and direction at the tip of a hat but keeps the rhythm going. He even tones himself down at times when his bandmates are shining. He rocks.

[@777jones]

The footage and recording is beautiful. They did more energetic gigs, but this was a great era for them.

[@markgeiger7700]

just listen to the entire of both the 1969 and 1970 Isle of White shows..... mind blowing.....Moon is amazing... they all are

[@jordanjames2536]

This performance is incredible. The Who were the greatest live band of all time, and will never be touched.

[@piked261]

Absolutely 😊

[@chickentwisties2298]

Keith Moon hands down the greatest rock drummer ever

[@scottorme6032]

Nah Niel Peart

[@Philbatteurdrummer]

Yeah! But where did he get his inspiration?

[@alteredbeastbroadcasting]

Claude Coleman Jr., Mickey Cavs and Danny Carey all deserve a seat at the table in this discussion.

[@BranDZ7]

I agree 100%.

[@thegoldendog7991]

@@scottorme6032 Great drummer but his kit was too show biz ridiculous. Moon and Bonham accomplished a lot more with less.

[@BigDaddy-xx1gk]

The Who is the band every other band has tried to imitate since the late 60s. When you think of the exemplar of a "rock band", you think of the Who: A super talented and musical genius lead guitarist, a steady-as-a-rock bassist, a completely wild and dominating drummer, and a lead singer who blasts out vocals and struts like a rooster. They had every element, and they had it first. No other band had all of these together until the Who. Not to mention they had the best lead, the best bassist, the best drummer all together in one band. Sometimes, you get bands with one or two of these elements, but they had all four together. Plus, they'd split your head open with their volume.

[@brianjacob8728]

Led Zeppelin's ears are burning.

[@jeff2333]

Zeppelin #1

[@wobblybobengland]

Spinal Tap

[@brianjacob8728]

@@jeff2333 copied off of the who, which even gave them their name.

[@patcola7335]

Other than the name. Led Zeppelin and the Who sound nothing alike.​@@brianjacob8728

[@CapAnson12345]

2:27.. Keith charging up is epic.. you know you're in for a ride.

[@pathayes2806]

goosebumps from watching that

[@ChimozuFu]

He’s so eager to play. All that excitement and energy comes flooding out of him when he plays. Truly amazing to watch

[@isaacl.baldeonguerra1623]

My man Keith surely ended up completely tired after a whole set...

[@karstenfuglsang1638]

From one Wildman to another rock on Keith

[@markgeiger7700]

yes yes!!

[@CJM333]

This is Keith at his best....unpredictable, showman, playing the melody. At first you think he is all over the place, but if you really hear it he is holding it all together

[@wheretwoormoregather]

EXACTLY!

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

A massive wash of cymbals

[@flochroland6112]

Avec des vidéos de ce genre Les Who sont éternels ! Keith Moon le batteur fou, Daltrey la voix des anges, Entwistle, rigide dans son squelette, Townsend, le pompiste de service ! Intemporel chevaliers du Rock !!! God bless The Who !

[@williamnimbach6419]

Isle of wight 1970 is my favorite live performce from the who. a lot of people say live at leeds and rock n roll circus they seem to forget this one!!

[@fan5407]

Keith and Pete have such English senses of humor.

[@packstevewood]

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes. Been a Who fan and Moonie fan since 1965 and this is the best footage of Keith and the whole band I've seen yet. In their prime and at the top of their game.

[@cutcutish]

I use to work for a roofing company and met a man who use to be Rodger Daltreys personal assistant. Their still best friends and he got Rodger to sign my Isle Of Wight Festival record.

[@war6431]

Hall of Fame performance. The Who one of the all-time greats.

[@Whoanjo]

Fuerza Elegancia Dominio Genio. Todos tenemos gustos diferentes, pero tengo claro que solo hay un The Who. Ninguna banda, orquesta o forma musical ha tocado mi alma. TheWho si.

[@AshCosgrove]

One of the best songs to listen to when you're running. I've finished marathons listening to The Who.

[@itsmeabbylee]

By the way Keith is adorable

[@TK-fk4po]

White jumpsuit + SG special = best Who era.

[@stopgoleft]

I can't love The Who more. What an incredible experience.

[@mywhimsylifed.3055]

Love this live. Keith winding up to start gets me every time. 😉

[@GoldShower1]

Lest anyone doubt the genius of Keith!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@monkeyliver1986]

Greatest rhythm section in rock n roll history

[@RockyStradlin]

The Who lucky band... They had the best drummer, the best bassist and have one of the best guitarist. Good Singer.

[@lethayle3388]

One of the best singers...

[@ailishbethd4033]

Best rock singer EVER,!

[@andyboerger]

and one of the best looking singers

[@RockyStradlin]

@@andyboerger indeed

[@transbender5906]

Good singer 🧍‍♂️

[@carloseugeniocarlos4287]

Daltrey voice is splendid. The who rocks the whole damn place,man.

[@Kimberlytheresam]

This whole concert is great

[@nickzaytz5712]

Keith Moon catching that drumstick was cool)

[@shawnoneil2046]

In order to enjoy listening to the Who, you have to WATCH them play, as well as listen. Greatest live performance of their career.

[@timhoovermusicman]

I love to watch pete torqueing around and hop dancing..

[@heveraldosantosl6186]

Esse baterista nunca existirá um igual ou parecido ,esse cara e um ícone sou fã d carteirinha , q banda q marca

[@SM-ql1il]

Best Bassist Ever

[@roysmith-fields6304]

I was there , great days ✌❤

[@csedan510]

Townsend is such a savage, that cutting commentary followed buy that ripping playing....and Moon didn't even miss a break.

[@blakewillemsen4920]

Has there ever been a drummer more talented or had more fun doing his thing? Love Keith!

[@miguelalejandro4357]

John bo ham of the mighty Led Zeppelin

[@SuperPlacido1]

Phil Collins too!

[@chrishale338]

I notice this has got one thumbs down, shame on you!! Long live Rock!!

[@Kimberlytheresam]

The Who were the best live! Keith will always be my all time fav drummer❤

[@RichardMedhurst]

11:13 Keith yelling into his tom mic lmao

[@williamnimbach6419]

The who is so underrated. They were one of the bands that started the rock n roll revolution they put rock music on the map pretty much!! They deserve more recognition!!

[@ge2623]

"The Who is underrated" That's why nobody has ever heard of them.

[@BB-fd2rf]

I'm beginning to blister too... Anyone who says Pete can't play lead oughta hear this.

[@jdemarco]

Townshend is one very underrated guitarist...

[@chatta2345]

what bloody legends !

[@davebetts9843]

Great Live band...enough said!!!!!

[@memomora]

The Who in their peak, and smashed all the other groups that night!!! Epic!!!

[@user-bf7rr2zo8b]

I’m sure glad that I found this great piece of work. I could watch these guys play all day long

[@Rock-iw7ov]

1:05 I can't stop watching this.... I Love Moon

[@eduardobelushiflores9000]

because I hit

[@allbottledup9513]

Water wasn’t the first song I ever heard from The Who, that would be Baba O’Riley but it was the song that made me fall in love with them. It just grabbed me by the heart and never let go! Masterpiece and it doesn’t rank in The Who’s top 30 songs. These guy’s were fucking genius!

[@timhoovermusicman]

Naked eye.

[@allbottledup9513]

⁠@@timhoovermusicman Naked Eye was your “Water” to speak? What a great song to start with! One of my favorites from The Who. I first heard Who’s Next, and went back through their catologue. It wasn’t until I heard Quadrophenia that I decided, they’re the best musicians I’ve ever heard!

[@ThiagodMoraes]

the most enigmatic,powerful,explosive,legendary,coolest band ever,The Who!!!

[@andreaspeix9498]

Verrückteste Band ever! Greetings from Hamburg Germany

[@thenicklas615]

Did you notice how explosive Keith Moon was hiting those Premier drums ? Roger Daltrey has such a fine voice.

[@RockmasterVideos]

1 of my favorite DVD's, thanks for posting this moving song!

[@williamnimbach6419]

The who is one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Easily top 5 in my book!

[@gnormansmallwood]

5?

[@utilisateurinsoutenable6749]

Keith moon so crazy !! The best performance ever !!! So great 🤤🤤🤤

[@TheHeartmindsoul]

Beautiful close ups of Roger,Pete and Keith,but as usual the camera person is ignoring John.He is even wearing that weird skeleton suit to somehow not be ignored by the film photographer! So this film could be improved upon by including more glimpses of John!

[@RockmasterVideos]

An amazing DVD, bought it years a go. Thanks for posting this great performance.

[@martinarriola9909]

Amazing and great performance ... What a strong way to make rock music

[@marcotukoff]

Incredible, thanxs from Brazil, valeu!!!

[@jhman9901]

Selvaggiamente perfetti. Incredibile notare nello stile, nel look e nelle movenze di keith moon alcuni dettagli assolutamente contemoporanei.

[@allbottledup9513]

2:14 and 2:26 just blow me away. The way he waits to make the gentle splash then looks around for the reaction/at his bandmates for the next part, and the way he waits for when the drums kick in and sucks in his breath and goes wild on the drums. Keith Moon was one of a kind and in my mind, the definition/ideal of a rock drummer. He had everything, and he was all about his playing. He gave everything to it. Someday, there will be a band as good as The Who, but there will never be another Who. One a kind, never to be replicated, undefinably beautiful band who made some of the best music to ever grace our ears.

[@gregcruse4647]

Beautifully put

[@allbottledup9513]

@@gregcruse4647 Thank you, this music means a lot to me. Speaks to me and blows me away. I’m sure you understand!

[@billhorstkamp98]

He and his best friend John Henry Bonham were/are the best ever

[@allbottledup9513]

@@billhorstkamp98 Bonham, very talented but never stood out to me? Do I just have poor ears, or am I missing something? Could you recommend some songs or explain why he’s so great? Thank you!

[@billhorstkamp98]

@@allbottledup9513 I would suggest you listen to live bootleg recordings. I think if you listen to say blueberry Hill, or any of the other most popular bootlegs, you see what everyone’s talking about. The Man’s drum fills were different than anybody else’s. He hit the drums harder than just about anybody else. His timing was impeccable. Listen and you may change the way you feel. Have a great day.☮️

[@CCSofChocolatesvill]

I'm 75 and still enjoying drugs as I hear this song I also eat lettuce.

[@Michael-on4ti]

Adam Carter Nothing wrong with drugs and lettuce

[@dmoeller0]

best comment on youtube lol

[@samp4tan]

you are god

[@redd8500]

Best. Comment. Ever.

[@EdBern]

That's nice gramps. Don't forget to take your meds.

[@leebarton273]

When Moon hit them drums at the start it gave me some fucked up goose bumps. Yeahhhhhhh....

[@andyboerger]

Such a weird song, but great! And Roger Daltrey looks like a superior species of human-god. Pretty sure not too many daughters in the audience would have said 'no' to him either.

[@VivaLaDnDLogs]

I have a feeling that if his drum kit hadn't gotten in the way, Keith would have smashed through the stage.

[@jpooky9141]

If you watch the full concert he has his bass drum skin replaced by the techs at some point

[@kelb6073]

This should have 5 million views.

[@MarinxxxEagle]

Pete was so gorgeous in the 70s

[@jamesmack3314]

Great song great performance The Who were untouchable in 1970 everything they did was perfect. In fact they made one of the best streaks ever starting in 1969 with Tommy through 1973 with Quadrophenia…stellar musicians whose live performances were legendary but starting in February with their live at Leeds performance, they just ruled the live stage in 1970…incredible

[@gcfcos]

The man at the equipment hire shop on the Monday morning, "what the fxxk happened to these drums? Did the truck have an accident? No Keith moon happened to them

[@gary6754]

wow, im from philly and Roger is right, that's how we say it

[@tpp5151]

wooder

[@nxne75]

Yup, that’s how we say it in New Jersey, too: “wooder.” How to retrain myself to say it “wah-ter” when I moved to Detroit.

[@Henry-uv9xu]

nxne75 Warder

[@brunomele3444]

I love ThE WHo, and to me they are so important in rock as Zeppelin or Sabbath or Purple

[@carlosespinola1508]

Bruno Mele they are most important

[@jdemarco]

The Who shreds all those bands...

[@paulabernathy2250]

You and I can argue for days and days on several points on who is the greatest musician or on whom has the best solo. It will never reach a point to satisfy each other. I can tell you this some things can move you or it won't. I was never there, but some things move me. I appreciate something that moves me. I never thought a song could ever move me like this song in a way that could captivate me , keep me intrigued and forever change me. It's a life changing experience that I will never forget. Btw I never been to concert.

[@artysanmobile]

Even in a throwaway song, giving it their all. What a strange band.

[@davedavis4479]

I saw them live at day on the gren in SF. I was 18😅 they were fantastic

[@robertsheppard4321]

You do mean Oakland Coliseum and I was there right up in front Keith Moon stole the show

[@mci6830]

They look so free 😮

[@robertlear2712]

I saw The Who for the first time in concert in July 1970, about a month before this performance. They were my favorite live band.

[@jamesmack3314]

With good reason, they were the greatest live band in history at that time and they still are today. No one could come close to their power and talent because as we all know live at Leeds is the greatest live album ever.

[@PauliePinch13]

It's true what he said about Philadelphia. Us Philadelphians pronounce water as "wooder."

[@guilhermeportella80]

Keith's perfomance is unbelievable.. Is like prime R9 playing football before his injuries.. Genius!

[@adrianselbst6777]

At 5:13, Keith attempts to flip his right drumstick, loses the left drumstick in the process, catches the right drumstick with his left hand, quickly transfers it to his right, hits the right hand crash the floor toms and the right hand crash again, and with his left hand retrieves a new stick. Flawless.

[@RockyStradlin]

Small details like that are what made him the best of his time

[@BernardWilkinson]

Good man, you are the only other person I have come across who has noticed that as well. Imagine having the confidence to do that during a fill (at a really big festival as well). What if he had got it wrong?

[@sunnyrock4404]

Doesn’t miss a beat. Doesn’t flinch. ❤❤❤🎉

[@emersontomasini9495]

Amazing drums, bass and guitar.

[@nvg1544]

Best opening song ever

[@davevarga]

Such Joy & *Heart* in this band. And Keith at 2:31!

[@roasterbcool1492]

Stick flip at 5:13 Amazing! Without missing a beat

[@thomashernandez1605]

i love the way keith moon plays the drums. i love this gUy. l.

[@carloseugenio1406]

keith was a fantastic drummer,so fucking cool!

[@fpopee]

When the Who put their game faces on...they'd break your bones with serious Rock n roll

[@user-pj2lu2mw7h]

Got this on dvd absolutely fkn brilliant to watch , greatest rock group of all time

[@sampickel1030]

It doesn’t get any better than this. Unbelievable

[@timhoovermusicman]

Naked eye

[@pau1056]

I S M E L L F E E T

[@p6x2]

The SG special remains the guitar by which Pete remains so identifiable. Its just too bad that Gibson ceased its production. Ditto for the Hiwatt DR103 that were top notch for sound and quality. I would love to see Pete play a show using vintage gear, with respect!

[@TheCuthere]

When Roger sings, the hair on the back of your neck go up, and Moon? Well, there are no words, he was definitely one of a kind. That stick went 10 feet up in the air and landed in his hands perfectly.

[@xianshep]

Saw this concert film in the late '90s in a movie theater in NYC and was struck by the thought that it was not only the best concert film ever, but that the Who of that vintage were probably rock's best-ever live band. Pretty sure I was right.

[@ClaudiaMitchell-jn7fw]

I Love - “The Who” ! ❤️

[@davedavis4479]

Yes ! I worked my way to the front also. I think I saw you there 😂 I got to go to all the days on the green. Got to see so many bands when they were young new rockers. 😂😂