Which band is better?
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The WhoThe Who was founded in London in 1964 with members Roger Daltry (lead singer), Pete Townsend (guitarist and singer), John Entwhistle (bass) and Keith Moon (drums). They are major rock innovators and have influenced countless bands across rock genres. Their innovations include using synthesizers and large PA systems, along with the influential playing styles of Entwhistle, Moon and Townsend.
Their first single “I Can’t Explain” reached the UK top ten, followed by several other hits, including “Substitute” and “My Generation”. They gained notoriety for smashing their guitars and drums at the end of many shows. In 1967, the single “I Can See For Miles” resulted in their only top 10 US single. In 1969 they released what is considered the first rock opera, Tommy, including the famous single “Pinball Wizard”. In 1971 they released Who’s Next, considered by many as their best album, with such famous songs as “Baba O’Reilly”, “We Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Behind Blue Eyes”. They followed this with a film adaptation of Tommy and the release of the Who Are You album, highlighted by the popular song “Who Are You?”.
Keith Moon died shortly after this release due to drug overdose, leaving behind a legacy of whimsical antics and a frenetic drumming style. The band was determined to carry on, and they returned to the stage in 1979 with drummer Kenny Jones replacing Moon. Later that year, the film adaptation of their concept album Quadrophenia was released. In December at a concert in Cincinnati, a crowd rush resulted in the death of 11 people. They continued to release albums and tour, and had several minor hits such as “You Better You Bet” and “Eminence Front”.
Their first single “I Can’t Explain” reached the UK top ten, followed by several other hits, including “Substitute” and “My Generation”. They gained notoriety for smashing their guitars and drums at the end of many shows. In 1967, the single “I Can See For Miles” resulted in their only top 10 US single. In 1969 they released what is considered the first rock opera, Tommy, including the famous single “Pinball Wizard”. In 1971 they released Who’s Next, considered by many as their best album, with such famous songs as “Baba O’Reilly”, “We Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Behind Blue Eyes”. They followed this with a film adaptation of Tommy and the release of the Who Are You album, highlighted by the popular song “Who Are You?”.
Keith Moon died shortly after this release due to drug overdose, leaving behind a legacy of whimsical antics and a frenetic drumming style. The band was determined to carry on, and they returned to the stage in 1979 with drummer Kenny Jones replacing Moon. Later that year, the film adaptation of their concept album Quadrophenia was released. In December at a concert in Cincinnati, a crowd rush resulted in the death of 11 people. They continued to release albums and tour, and had several minor hits such as “You Better You Bet” and “Eminence Front”.
Beach BoysThe Beach Boys are a beloved American band from California and considered the face of the “California sound” and “surf music”, reflecting the southern California lifestyle of cars, surfing and romance. The original lineup contained brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, cousin Mike Love and Al Jardine. Their first big hit was in 1963 with “Surfin’ USA” followed by a series of top ten hits, including “Surfin’ Safari”, “I Get Around”, “Fun, Fun, Fun”, “Help Me Rhonda” and “California Girls”. While they survived and thrived during the British Invasion of the mid 1960’s, they saw their popularity falter later in the decade.
Starting in 1965, they abandoned the California sound and beach themes for more lyrical and complex themes. In 1966, they released the ambitious and innovative Pet Sounds album, considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time, named as #2 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 greatest albums. Orchestrated by Brian Wilson, Pet Sounds was complex and utilized advanced studio techniques. It garnered several of their most well known songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “God Only Knows” and “Sloop John B.”.
During their career, there was controversy when their publishing rights were sold for $700,000 ($5.7 million today); the catalog has generated over $100 million in royalties, none of which went to the band members. The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million units worldwide, had 36 songs in the Top-40, which is the most by an American band, four #1 songs, were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and were named #12 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest artists of all time.
Starting in 1965, they abandoned the California sound and beach themes for more lyrical and complex themes. In 1966, they released the ambitious and innovative Pet Sounds album, considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time, named as #2 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 greatest albums. Orchestrated by Brian Wilson, Pet Sounds was complex and utilized advanced studio techniques. It garnered several of their most well known songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “God Only Knows” and “Sloop John B.”.
During their career, there was controversy when their publishing rights were sold for $700,000 ($5.7 million today); the catalog has generated over $100 million in royalties, none of which went to the band members. The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million units worldwide, had 36 songs in the Top-40, which is the most by an American band, four #1 songs, were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and were named #12 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest artists of all time.
