The inauspicious backdrop of Acton County Grammar School provided the foundation for one of the world’s most exciting, articulate, explosive and entertaining rock’n’roll bands – The Who. Roger Daltrey (b. 1944), John Entwistle (1944–2002) and Pete Townshend (b. 1945) showed a proclivity towards music at an early age and came together when Entwistle and Townshend joined Daltrey’s band, The Detours, in 1962.

They were a competent and popular live act, but were never going to set the world on fire. The discovery of a group going by a similar name prompted a change to The Who, and in 1964 a new member, Keith Moon (1946–78), took his place on the drum stool. Rechristened The High Numbers by publicist Pete Meaden in an attempt to appeal to the mod movement that was sweeping Britain, the band released one single. It flopped, and The High Numbers quickly found themselves bought out of their contract by budding filmmakers Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp.

The band reverted to the name The Who, and the new management wasted little time turning their young charges into stars. The Townshend-penned composition ‘I Can’t Explain’ broke them into the Top 10. On stage, The Who gained an explosive reputation. Off stage, however, the group constantly seemed in danger of implosion, as arguments threatened The Who’s fledgling existence.

Personalities | Introducing The Who
Personalities | The Who | Up & Running (1962–63) | Key Events