The Who - Forest Hills, July 29 & 31 1971 - Recollections

Hi all,

I've been putting together a bit of a retrospective based on the two shows The Who played at Forest Hills in July 1971 and am looking for a bit more of an input from other people who attended either or both of the shows.

I've got a decent amount of background on the stabbing incident and the resulting court case and sentence, so am OK on that front, but what I'm looking for is more of an idea of the organisation of the show and the venue itself - what was it like from an attendee's perspective? What facilities were (not) there? How was the stage view from the ground / stands?

How did the band come across compared to other bands playing in NYC around that time?

Did any fans manage to get access to the backstage area - what was it like?

Did any fans manage to connect to the band whilst they were in the city and staying at the Navarro?

 

I was at the July 29 show. Very impressive..first time hearing tracks from Who's Next. The view from the stands were pretty good except that it rained during most if not all of the show. This was the night of the stabbing incident. Their songs and playing outdid any other group I saw around that time except that a few days later (8/1), I was at the evening performance of Bangla Desh. What a week that was!!! Sorry I cant remember more..it was over 40 years ago!

 

This thread reminded me of a recent article in the NY Times about how the stadium just recently resumed operations as a concert venue (for a Mumford and Sons concert) after sitting idle since 1997. The article quoted one of the neighborhood residents:

On the residential streets ringing the stadium, neighbors like Lou Guarino, 58, stood on the steps of their Tudor-style homes, in good spirits, taking pictures of the scene.

Mr. Guarino attended his first concert, by the Who, at the stadium when he was a teenager.

“I was on the other side of the people looking out their windows,” he said. “So I think I have to cut them all a break.”

 

I'm having a good chuckle right now to myself after seeing the prices for the tickets. I'd love to good-naturedly rib Pete and say something like "You bastards! You charged an extra .50 cents on top of that $7.00 for the second night?" And yeah, $7.00 for a show was big money back then. Times have sure changed. I wish I could have been there.

 

If I remember correctly, Labelle was the opening act.

 

Entwistle smashed up one of his Thunderbird basses at one of the shows, after Moon tripped over it and broke the headstock.

 

Man, they were a brutal force of rock goodness.

 

Look at Pete's jump at the end of the clip RobCooper just posted.

 

I was surprised that this wasn't more readily available so decided to upload to YouTube with re-dubbed sound. I may up Baby Don't You Do It next (though its no where near a full version).

 

Love it!

 

From the 29th show, much better filmed angle. Synch'd to an audio boot which is much better quality (though far from perfect!)