THIS WEEK (46 YEARS AGO) | THE KID’S ARE ALRIGHT - THE WHO

May 25, 1978 - At London's Shepperton Film Studios, Keith Moon performed with the Who for the last time in a concert specifically for use in the upcoming documentary "The Kids Are Alright."

On May 25th, 1978, a worn-out Who arrived at London’s Shepperton Studios to shoot a mini-concert for their documentary, The Kids Are Alright. Having been off tour for nearly two years, they briefly reunited in December 1977 for new performance footage, but director Jeff Stein wasn’t satisfied with the results. He needed standout versions of “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” so the band reluctantly agreed to try again.

At 31, Keith Moon was feeling the effects of his hard-partying lifestyle. Bloated and out of practice, he struggled, but the Who managed to push through a nine-song set, ending with John Entwistle’s “My Wife.” Exhausted and sweaty, they retired to their dressing room, only to have Stein insist on redoing “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” He told Pete Townshend it lacked a “definitive end.” Townshend retorted, “A definitive end? What do you want me to do? Fall asleep on stage? Maybe I should die during my last solo? Or hit the guy yelling for ‘Magic Bus’ with my guitar?”

In the end, the Who agreed to one more take. This time, Townshend soared through the climax with a leap, a knee slide, and energetic stage antics, finishing with his signature windmills before slamming his guitar into the ground and sending cymbals flying. Satisfied, Stein wrapped up the documentary with this dynamic performance.

Just a few weeks earlier, the Who had finished work on their new album, Who Are You. It came out on August 17th, 1978. Keith Moon died less than a month later after mixing the alcohol withdrawal drug Clomethiazole with alcohol.  

The Who have toured with three different drummers over the past four decades. The last song ever performed by the original lineup is the retake of "Won't Get Fooled Again" from Shepperton Studios. 

SETLIST:

1. Baba O'Riley

2. My Wife

3. Won't Get Fooled Again

4. Substitute

5. I Can't Explain

6. Magic Bus

7. Summertime Blues

8. My Generation

9. My Wife

10. Won't Get Fooled Again

#thewho

Sorry don’t know who wrote this and iff its you please get in touch and I will credit!  I found it unmarked on the internet!

Uncannily apposite as the country faces another General Election in six weeks time with our youngsters facing National Service and the opposition trying desperately some might say to increase the size of their vote so meet the New Boss, same as the old Boss? . . . . . . twas ever thus and yes we will get fooled again!

"The Who’s iconic anthem from 1971’s Who’s Next album performed here on B-Stage at Shepperton Studios on 25 May 1978  

Filmed by Jeff Stein for the closing sequence of The Kids Are Alright. 

Sadly this was to be the very last performance ever by Keith Moon."