Aging Who's music still grabs the listener

I was 16 when I joined a band called The Dead End. Originally the band was known as The End, but some of the members left, and those remaining decided to rename it.

It was a 1960s-early '70s revival band. We played Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love," the Yardbirds' "For Your Love," the Kinks' "Destroyer" — and a collection of songs by the Who, including "I Can't Explain," "My Generation" and "Long Live Rock," to name a few.

My favorite Who song to play was "My Generation," because of the drum-demolishing coda. Although, truth be told, I just did a drum solo and didn't kick over my set like The Who's late drummer Keith Moon. I didn't have the greens to get new drums after every gig.

Anyway, I was in this band for two years and delved into the '60s "British Invasion" bands. I loved the energy and power of that music and loved the spontaneous drum lines that seemed to fill each song.

So, you can imagine my adrenaline rush when it was announced that The Who would be playing in Salt Lake City on Monday. I know it's only down to guitarist Pete Townsend and vocalist Roger Daltrey, but I'm still looking forward to seeing the show.

The Who's touring band this time around features drummer Zak Starkey (Ringo's son) and bassist Pino Palladino. Also appearing will be multi-instrumentalist Simon Townsend (Pete's brother) and keyboardist John "Rabbit" Bundrick.

I'll miss the late bassist John Entwistle (my favorite Whomer), the hyperactivity of Moon and the laid-back power of his replacement Kenny Jones.

However, from reviews of earlier concerts, it seems Daltrey and Townsend, now well into their 60s, still have what it takes to bring down the house.

Some of the songs that have been played during the tour are "The Seeker," "Baba O'Riley," "Behind Blue Eyes" (my favorite Who song to listen to) and "Pinball Wizard," among others.

The other day I was listening to the new Who album, "Endless Wire." No, it's not a compilation, nor is it a live album (although it comes with a live, five-song concert DVD). "Endless Wire" is a new Who studio album.

That's right, Daltrey and Townsend have released a new Who album — the first in nearly 25 years. "Endless Wire" is the long, long, long, long-awaited follow-up to 1982's "It's Hard."

If you like the band's trademark works "Tommy," "Who's Next" and "Who Are You," then "Endless Wire" has some treats for you. In fact, the intro to the album's first song, "Fragments," starts off like "Baba O'Riley" on Jolt Cola.