Photo by Gary Landers

23,000 adoring fans of all ages turned out Monday night to see The Who in concert

Who crowd spirited and young

By Nancy Daly

Leader staff writer

About halfway through The Who’s performance Monday night at Rupp Arena, 2-year-old Marc Whitt bounced up and down on his mother’s lap, keeping perfect time with the song Long Live Rock.

The bright-eyed, blond-headed infant gurgled at the sight of The Who’s dazzling light show. Later, on the slower numbers, he snuggled up with mom and his teddy bear.

“This isn’t his first concert,” said Diane Whitt of Columbus, Ohio. “We took him to see the Doobie Brothers when he was 8 months.”

A review of The Who, C-8

By the time this precocious rock fan turns 20, members of The Who will be pushing 60. Marc Whitt will then be able to brag about seeing the legendary rock band in their final month of active touring.

With this concert tour, The Who members have said they are calling it quits after 20 years as a pre-eminent fixture in rock and roll. Far from being a wake, Monday night’s show was a lively spectacle for 23,000 spirited and primarily youthful fans.

“I feel old,” sighed Lexington attorney Michael Meuser as scores of teeny-boppers scurried about the arena concourse. Indeed, those old enough to remember The Who’s breakthrough LP Tommy in 1969 were in the minority.

Thousands of teen-agers whooped it up as if The Who was the newest pop sensation. Not since Bruce Springsteen performed here in 1981 has Rupp Arena been the scene of such a deafening roar.

Please see ● THE WHO, Page 8

Pete Townshend

Vocalist Roger Daltrey