The Who Woodstock
But first Abbie Hoffman.
Sly and the Family Stone had finished one of the festival’s most memorable set (for some the most memorable set) thus far. Chip Monck had reminded the crowd that The Who were next.
Woodstock Ventures never intended that the festival be a political event, but it was 1969 and no one could avoid the presence of Vietnam, assassinations, civil rights, and injustices. Especially if 500,000 young people showed up at the same place at the same time.
PBS described Abbie Hoffman as, ” a radical, revolutionary, political activist and social clown, if somebody is against something, odds are good Hoffman is against it too. Although his fame is cemented in the ’70s, his revolutionary bona fides are established in the ’60s”
Woodstock Ventures had permitted Hoffman to be a part of the event, albeit a minor part. Before The Who came on, he blew into the mic and spoke of the arrest and imprisonment of White Panther John Sinclair who was facing “ten fucking years for two joints of marijuana while we’re all sitting here digging rock music.” He spoke for 30 seconds.
5 AM
It was 5 AM. Sunrise was about an hour away. Woodstock’s second day of music was 17 hours old.
My favorite album that summer was The Who’s Tommy. Not only was it a great album, I had gotten it for free by re-subscribing to Rolling Stone Magazine. I hoped the band would do some of Tommy.
Wish completely fulfilled.
Below right is The Tommy album track listing. I have asterisked those songs that The Who did not perform at Woodstock. On the right is their Woodstock setlist.
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Even with Abbie Hoffman’s surprise second brief appearance, the Who are only on stage a bit over an hour.
Personnel
- Roger Daltrey: vocals
- Pete Townshend: guitar
- John Entwistle: bass
- Keith Moon: drums
The Who Woodstock
Heaven and Hell
Even with only three people in the band typically played an instrument, bassist John Entwistle remained behind the scene to the perpetually moving Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, and Roger Daltry.
Heaven and Hell had been the B-side of the Who’s single, Summertime Blues, but had been on an album.
If you’ve done nothing wrong
And down in the ground is a place where you go if you’ve been a bad boy
If you’ve been a bad boy
And never die
Never die?
In the place up above you grow feather wings and you fly round and round
With a harp singing hymns
And burn away
Never die?
The Who Woodstock
I Can’t Explain
I Can’t Explain had been the Who’s first single as the Who (they’d released a single with “Zoot Suit”/”I’m the Face” as the High Numbers. In a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone, Townshend referred to “I Can’t Explain” as “a song, written by some 18-year-old kid, about the fact that he can’t tell his girlfriend he loves her because he’s taken too many Dexedrine tablets.”
The Who Woodstock
It’s a Boy
Their performance of Tommy did not have the overture the album contained, but as soon as the crowd hears the opening of “It’s a Boy” they knew what was coming.
It’s a boy, Mrs. Walker, it’s a boy
It’s a boy, Mrs. Walker, it’s a boy
A son
A son
A son
The Who Woodstock
1921
The story continues…
[Lover]
I’ve got a feeling twenty one
Is going to be a good year.
Especially if you and me
See it in together.
[Father:]
So you think 21 is going to be a good year.
It could be for me and her,
But you and her-no never!
I had no reason to be over optimistic,
But somehow when you smiled
I could brave bad weather
[Mother:]
What about the boy?
What about the boy?
What about the boy?
He saw it all!
[Mother and Father:]
You didn’t hear it
You didn’t see it.
You won’t say nothing to no one
ever in your life.
You never heard it
Oh how absurd it
All seems without any proof.
You didn’t hear it
You didn’t see it
You never heard it not a word of it.
You won’t say nothing to no one
Never tell a soul
What you know is the Truth.
The Who Woodstock
Amazing Journey
He’s in a quiet vibration land.
Strange as it seems, his musical dreams
Ain’t quite so bad.
Loving life and becoming wise
In simplicity.
Where minds can’t usually go.
Come on the amazing journey
And learn all you should know.
Creeps up on me.
All at once a tall stranger I suddenly see.
He’s dressed in a silver sparkled
Glittering gown
And his golden beard flows
Nearly down to the ground.
And nothing to see.
Each sensation makes a note
In my symphony.
Where minds can’t usually go.
Come on the amazing journey
And learn all you should know.
Transmit all they know.
Sparkle warm crystalline glances to show
That he is your leader
And he is your guide
On the amazing journey
Together you’ll ride.
The Who Woodstock
Sparks
An amazing instrumental.
The Who Woodstock
Eyesight to the Blind/The Hawker
The Who used the lyrics written by Sonny Boy Williamson for the rock opera’s next song.
I wish you could see mine
You talk about your woman
I wish you could see mine
Every time she starts to lovin’
She brings eyesight to the blind
I can tell by the way she walks
Her daddy gave her magic,
I can tell by the way she walks
Every time she start to shakin’
The dumb begin to talk
She’s got the power to heal you, never fear!
Just a word from her lips
And the deaf begin to hear
The Who Woodstock
Christmas
The story continues and we hear for the first time the heart wrenching lines, See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
They get so excited
Waking up on Christmas morning
Hours before the winter sun’s ignited
They believe in dreams and all they mean
Including heaven’s generosity
Peeping round the door
To see what parcels are for free
In curiosity
He doesn’t know who Jesus was
Or what praying is
How can he be saved
From the eternal grave?
He sits so silently
And unaware of anything
Playing poxy pinball,
Picks his nose and smiles and
Pokes his tongue at everything
I believe in love
But how can men who’ve never seen
Light be enlightened
Only if he’s cured
Will his spirits future level ever heighten
He doesn’t know who Jesus was
Or what praying is
How can he be saved
From the eternal grave?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
How can he be saved?
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Can you, can you, can you hear me?
How can he be saved?
They get so excited
Waking up on Christmas morning
Hours before the winter sun’s ignited
They believe in dreams and all they mean
Including heaven’s generosity
Peeping round the door
To see what parcels are for free
In curiosity
He doesn’t know who Jesus was
Or what praying is
How can he be saved
From the eternal grave?
The Who Woodstock
Acid Queen
[Gypsy:]
If your man ain’t all he should be now
This girl will put him right.
I’ll show him what he could be now
Just give me one night.
I’m the Gypsy – the acid Queen.
Pay before we start.
I’m the Gypsy – The acid queen.
I’ll tear your soul apart.
Give us a room and close the door
Leave us for a while.
Your boy won’t be a boy no more
Young, but not a child.
I’m the Gypsy – the acid queen.
Pay before we start.
I’m the Gypsy the acid queen.
I’ll tear your soul apart.
Gather your wits and hold on fast,
Your mind must learn to roam.
Just as the Gypsy Queen must do
You’re gonna hit the road.
My work is done now look at him
He’s never been more alive.
His head it shakes his fingers clutch.
Watch his body writhe
I’m the Gypsy – the acid queen.
Pay before we start.
I’m the Gypsy – I’m guaranteed.
To break your little heart.
The Who Woodstock
Pinball Wizard
Playing a pinball machine was a common entertainment. It was for Boomers, the Game Boy before the Game Boy. The band skips the album’s Underture and jumps Pinball Wizard in front of Do You Think It’s Alright
Ever since I was a young boy
I’ve played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton
I must have played them all
But I ain’t seen nothing like him
In any amusement hall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball!
He stands like a statue
Becomes part of the machine
Feeling all the bumpers
Always playing clean
Plays by intuition
The digit counters fall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball!
He’s a pinball wizard
There has to be a twist
A pinball wizard’s got such a supple wrist
‘How do you think he does it?
I don’t know
What makes him so good?’
Ain’t got no distractions
Can’t hear no buzzers and bells
Don’t see no lights a-flashin’
Plays by sense of smell
Always gets the replay
Never seen him fall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball!
I thought I was The Bally table king
But I just handed my pinball crown to him
Even on my favorite table
He can beat my best
His disciples lead him in
And he just does the rest
He’s got crazy flipper fingers
Never seen him fall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball!
The Who Woodstock
Abbie Hoffman interruptus
This is the Abbie Hoffman that Woodstock remembers. For whatever reason Hoffman felt he needed another moment to emphasize John Sinclair’s plight. Townshend reportedly didn’t know who Hoffman was and tells him to “Get off my fuckin’ stage.” The crown enthusiastically endorses Townshend’s view, but then he says, “I can dig it.”
The Who Woodstock
Do You Think It’s Alright?
Getting uncomfortable now both lyrically and after the brief Do You Think It’s Alright Townshend says that the “the next fuckin’ person who comes on the stage is gonna get fuckin’ killed [applause]. I mean it.” Apparently he’s had a change of heart.
Do you think it’s alright
To leave the boy with Uncle Ernie?
Do you think it’s alright
He’s had a few too many tonight
Do you think it’s alright? I think it’s alright
The Who Woodstock
Fiddle About
Uncle Ernie babysits.
I’m your wicked Uncle Ernie
I’m glad you won’t see or hear me
As I fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Your mother left me here to mind you
Now I’m doing what I want to
Fiddling about, fiddling about, fiddle about
Down with the bedclothes
Up with your nightshirt
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
You won’t shout as I fiddle about
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle
The Who Woodstock
There’s a Doctor
There’s a man I’ve found
Could bring us all joy!
There’s a doctor in town could cure the boy!
There’s a doctor in town could cure the boy!
There’s a man I’ve found could remove his sorrow,
He lives in this town let’s see him tomorrow,
He lives in this town let’s see him tomorrow!
The Who Woodstock
Go to the Mirror
The return of the refrain, See me, feel me, touch me, heal me
[Doctor:]
He seems to be completely unreceptive
The tests I gave him show no sense at all
His eyes react to light the dials detect it
He hears but cannot answer to your call
[Tommy:]
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me
[Doctor:]
There is no chance no untried operation
All hope lies with him and none with me
Imagine though the shock from isolation
When he suddenly can hear and speak and see
[Tommy:]
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me
[Doctor:]
His eyes can see
His ears can hear his lips speak
All the time the needles flick and rock
No machine can give the kind of stimulation
Needed to remove his inner block
Go to the mirror boy
Go to the mirror boy
[Father:]
I often wonder what he’s feeling
Has he ever heard a word I’ve said?
Look at him in the mirror dreaming
What is happening in his head?
[Tommy:]
Listening to you I get the music
Gazing at you I get the heat
Following you I climb the mountain
I get excitement at your feet
Right behind you I see the millions
On you I see the glory
From you I get opinions
From you I get the story
[Father:]
What is happening in his head
Ooooh I wish I knew, I wish I knew
The Who Woodstock
Smash the Mirror
Skipping Tommy Can You Hear Me? the band jumps to Smash the Mirror.
[Mother:]
You don’t answer my call
With even a nod or a twitch
But you gaze at your own reflection!
You don’t seem to see me
But I think you can see yourself.
How can the mirror affect you?
Can you hear me
Or do I surmise?
That you fear me can you feel my temper
RISE.
Do you hear or fear or
Do I smash the mirror.
Do you hear of fear or
Do I smash the mirror? SMASH!
The Who Woodstock
I’m Free
Skipping Sensation, Miracle Cure, and Sally Simpson the band jumps to I’m Free.
[Tommy:]
I’M FREE- I’m free,
And freedom tastes of reality,
I’m free-I’m free,
AN’ I’m waiting for you to follow me.
If I told you what it takes
to reach the highest high,
You’d laugh and say ‘nothing’s that simple’
But you’ve been told many times before
Messiahs pointed to the door
And no one had the guts to leave the temple!
I’m free-I’m free
And freedom tastes of reality
I’m free-I’m free
And I’m waiting for you to follow me.
[Chorus:]
How can we follow?
How can we follow?
The Who Woodstock
Tommy’s Holiday Camp
Skipping “Welcome” the band goes directly to camp.
Good morning Campers!
I’m your Uncle Ernie
and I’ll welcome you to Tommy’s Holiday Camp
The camp with the difference
Nevermind the weather
When you come to Tommy’s
The holiday’s forever
The Who Woodstock
We’re Not Gonna Take It
The band closes Tommy with what is also the album’s last song and for many one of the most plaintive songs ever written.
Welcome to the camp
I guess you all know why we’re here
My name is Tommy
And I became aware this year
If you want to follow me
You’ve got to play pinball
And put in your ear plugs
Put on your eye shades
You know where to put the cork
Hey you gettin’ drunk
So sorry, I got you sussed
Hey you smokin’ mother nature
This is a bust
Hey hung up old Mr. Normal
Don’t try to gain my trust
‘Cause you ain’t gonna follow me
Any of those ways
Although you think you must
We’re not gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it
Never did and never will
We’re not gonna take it
Gonna break it
Gonna shake it
Let’s forget it better still
Now you can’t hear me
Your ears are truly sealed
You can’t speak either
Your mouth is filled
You can’t see nothing
And pinball completes the scene
Here comes Uncle Ernie
To guide you to
Your very own machine
We’re not gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it
Never did and never will
Don’t want no religion
And as far as we can tell
We ain’t gonna take you
Never did and never will
We forsake you
Gonna rape you
Let’s forget you better still
We forsake you
Gonna rape you
Let’s forget you better still
See me, feel me
Touch me, heal me
See me, feel me
Touch me, heal me
See me, feel me
Touch me, heal me
See me, feel me
Touch me, heal me
Listening to you, I get the music
Gazing at you, I get the heat
Following you, I climb the mountain
I get excitement at your feet
Right behind you, I see the millions
On you, I see the glory
From you, I get opinions
From you, I get the story
The Who Woodstock
Summertime Blues
Tommy is over, but not The Who. “Summertime Blues” is a song co-written and recorded by Eddie Cochran.
I’m gonna raise a holler
‘Bout workin’ all summer
Just to try to earn a dollar
Well, I went to the bossman
Tried to get a break
But the boss said ‘No dice, son,
You gotta work late’
‘Cause there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
Son, you gotta earn some money
If you want to use the car
To go riding next Sunday
Well, I didn’t go to work
I told the boss I was sick
He said ‘You can’t use the car
‘Cause you didn’t work a lick’
There ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
Gonna have a fine vacation
Gonna take my problem
To the United Nations
Well’ I went to my congressman
He said ‘quote’
‘I’d like to help you son,
But you’re too young to vote’
‘Cause there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
The Who Woodstock
Shakin’ All Over
“Shakin’ All Over” is a song originally performed by Johnny Kidd & the Pirates. Johnny Kidd wrote it and his original recording reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1960.
That’s when I get the shakes all over me
Quivers down my back bone
I’ve got the shakes down the kneebone
Yeah havin’ the tremors in the thighbone
Shakin’ all over
Just the way you say goodnight to me
Brings that feeling on inside of me
Quivers down my back bone
I’ve got the quivers down the thighbone
Yeah the tremors in my back bone
Shakin’ all over
Quivers down my back bone
Yeah I have the shakes in the kneebone
I’ve got the tremors in the back bone
Shakin’ all over
Well, you make me shake and I like it, baby
Well, you make me shake and I like it, baby
The Who Woodstock
My Generation
The song was released as a single on 29 October 1965, reaching No. 2 in the UK, The Who’s highest charting single in their home countr and No. 74 in America.“My Generation” also appeared on The Who’s 1965 debut album, My Generation (The Who Sings My Generation in the United States),
Just because we get around (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
Things they do look awful c-c-cold (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
I hope I die before I get old (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
This is my generation, baby
Don’t try to dig what we all s-s-s-say (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
I’m not trying to ’cause a big s-s-sensation (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
I’m just talkin’ ’bout my g-g-g-generation (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
This is my generation, baby
And don’t try to d-dig what we all s-s-say (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
I’m not trying to ’cause a b-big s-s-sensation (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
I’m just talkin’ ’bout my g-g-generation (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
This is my generation, baby
My my my generation
Just because we g-g-get around (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
Things they do look awful c-c-cold (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
Yeah, I hope I die before I get old (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
This is my generation, baby
My my my generation
(Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation
(Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation
(Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation
(Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation
(Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation
(Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation
The Who Woodstock
Sunday Sunrise
The sun rose and it was good.
The Who Woodstock
The next act is the Jefferson Airplane.
