Poll: Which Performance of The Who is the Greatest?

The Who had so many iconic performances, I've decided to figure out which one was the best. You be the judge in this poll!

And let me know why your favorite performance stands out, from the others!

 

I have a soft spot for the "Shepperton" show, filmed for "The Kids Are Alright". The performances of "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again" are riveting to watch!

 

both Leeds and Tanglewood are the very best Who performances I've seen/heard

 

I'd love to have some performances from their last tour in '76. John said many times that for him it was the best period for the band playing wise. Sad that Keith went downhill so quickly.

 

If Leeds falls in "other," the stars are misaligned.

 

Woodstock 1969, for me.

 

I think the performance on rock and roll circus is one of the all time great rock performances ever. The "you are forgiven" finale, they're all four at their finest doing their own thing and all together. It's transcendent.

 

Best filmed performance?

My favorite is the footage from The Marquee Club, London, in March '67. Here's "So Sad About Us":

Moonie is hilarious and wonderful in his pinstripe suit!

 

San Francisco 12/13/71
& Live At Leeds Unedited?

 

From your list it seems you ask about filmed performances. Unfortunately there is not much from my favourite period - between Talmy and Tommy. And those later gigs are often fun to listen, but I can hardly stand watching them - especially Daltrey's habit to "tread in cabbages" always hurts.

 

I'd have gone for Tanglewood but as it's not on the list, R'n'R Circus is the next one and my pick.

 

Live at Leeds is definitely their best live recording.
What I had in mind for this poll was their best filmed performance. It's just as exciting to watch the Who, as it is to hear them. Sorry, I should have clarified.

 

Haha, yeah I was imagining the best filmed performance. I love seeing them perform. I can't take my eyes off of those guys!

 

I love all The Who's filmed performances, but seeing their Smothers Brothers appearance for the first time in TKAA made me a Who fan.

 

anything from 1964, 1965 when Keith was at his peak, live for me after this they lost something, and Pete started to play endless solos

tim

 

I vote for any performance that doesn't include Keith's purple, star-spangled jumpsuit.

 

There are several excellent '75-'76 Who shows, although the stagnant set lists and lack of new material dampens it a bit for me.

 

Surprised that Tanglewood '70 is not on that list. It's a peak performance from the white jumpsuit period, and very nearly complete. Hard to top that!

 

Best one was the one I saw at San Francisco Civic Auditorium (now called the "Moscone Center") in 1971 (apparently on December 13, according to a poster above) -- Who's Next tour.

(Among tons of other highlights) Townshend sliding across the floor as Daltrey let out the second scream of "Won't Get Fooled Again" was one of the All-Time Great Rock Concert Moments!

IINM, this one is famous among bootleggers as the best show of the tour... though I have never heard a copy of it (hint, hint ).

 

I don't think I have any of the complete films. I just have a compiled 30 years Maximum R&B and have not really sorted out where the shows are. Reading the back, only 2 songs of Isle of Wight. Rest are Europe and USA concerts and one Marquee club date.

The Rock and Roll Circus is probably my least favorite.

 

The 2 shows at the Fillmore East in May & Oct. '69 were the best shows that I've seen by them, The four shows at Madison Square garden in '79 were also great, But then again I was tripping at those shows

 

Ive always been fond of Live At The Summit 75'

 

Leeds. Poll makes no sense.

 

Just curious why you don't like that one?

 

Leeds of course.

On the available evidence. Tanglewood '71 a close second.