Timothy Winton

Monday night was another concert at the Hard Rock, although we paid for this one. I took in The Who for the first time and really enjoyed it. The Who had actually cancelled three shows in the two weeks leading up to our show because Roger Daltrey had lost his voice due to a bad bout with bronchitis. I’d been monitoring The Who’s touring site and our show was on, although it was the fourth in five nights due to make ups and also was the final show of the North American 2007 leg of the tour.

The sound was great and we sat in the next to last center row of the second level, despite getting the tickets in a pre-sale for $181 (cheapest) with all the service charges. The video screens behind and above the stage were spectacular as the band charged out with some early hits, opening with “I Can’t Explain.” Roger let the crowd know his voice was OK but that his body was a wreck from the flu as the band gave a stunning rendition of “Behind Blue Eyes.”

The band played three numbers from the new Endless WireCD including “Fragments” and an acoustic version of “A Man in a Purple Dress.” Pete Townshend talked to the crowd throughout and even dedicated one song to Anna Nicole Smith who died here at the Hard Rock a few weeks ago creating a media fire storm. Pete even mentioned that he no longer held a grudge against the Hard Rock, since John Entwistle died in the Las Vegas Hard Rock a few years ago.

Pete Townshend’s guitar tone was excellent as he propelled the mighty engine that is The Who with his own brand of distorted windmill power chords. The only song Pete sang lead on was “Eminence Front” which he said was written for the 1980s TV show Miami Vice and was about cocaine. 

Almost everyone was on their feet the whole night and the best crowd reaction came during “Baba O’Riley.” The last song before the band left the stage was a rousing ten minute version of “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

For the encore The Who came back and led with “Pinball Wizard” for a medley from Tommy. When Roger got to the last chorus of “See Me, Feel Me …” his voice finally gave out as it did on the closing acoustic ballad of “Tea & Theatre.”

This was one of the best of the over ten shows I’ve seen at the Hard Rock. It was indeed a memorable night and I’ve ordered a double CD and DVD of this show at TheMusic.com. Indeed, every show on this nearly two year tour is available at The Music.com with proceeds going to band supported charities.

Next up at the Hard Rock is Vince Gill on Sunday night, another free concert courtesy of my friend Rich who is a high roller. I owe him many thanks. Later this summer I’ve bought tickets to outdoor shows with The Police and Roger Waters.