The Who Rocks America 1982

More of a curiosity for hardcore fans than an enjoyable concert film, this tape is married by lackluster performances and a terribly muddy sound mix. The sound on this "Stereo" VHS is even worse in the DVD age. In light of other concert videos from the time such as the Talking Heads film "Stop Making Sense" (released just two years after), I think this tape would of sounded mediocre even back in 1982.

A few laughs as Daltrey gets his microphone cord tangled up in Townshend's guitar lead after one of his patented mic twirls. Also the dated 80's video effects are also amusing.

Maybe a remixed DVD would bring the star rating up.

Update: this was released as a DVD in 2006 under the title "The Who: Live from Toronto". Unfortunately, the sound mix is not really any better.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this show! But Really The Band craves Keith Moon to pick a fight with someone and lose it on stage! The Who Rocks America is the final show from their 1982 concert tour it was recorded in Toronto Canada. It is technically and musically a fine show. The Band Performs My Generation, Can't Explain,Dangerous, Sister Disco, The Quiet One, It's Hard, Eminence Front, Baba O' Reilly, Boris the Spider,Drowned, Love Ain't For Keeping, Pinball Wizard...See Me Feel Me, Who Are You, Love Reign O'er Me, Long Live Rock, Won't Get Fooled Again, Naked Eye, Young Man Blues, Twist & Shout. The film is shot nicely, with lots of closeups of the band, and the guys sound great!.

The band's swan song as a touring entity (until 1989, that is), "The Who Rocks America" finds them in slightly battered but still very listenable and watchable form. Kenney Jones has settled comfortably into his role as replacement drummer despite vocalist Roger Daltrey's reported antipathy toward him, and they pack twenty-two songs into their 115-minute set. (A few career highlights like 'Magic Bus', 'Behind Blue Eyes', and 'You Better You Bet' are notably absent.) This is not The Who at the top of their game--Daltrey's voice, in particular, is beginning to display some wear and tear--and therefore not essential, but it's fun for diehard fans. Pete Townsend's playing is fine throughout; he's correctly regarded as a great songwriter, but underrated as a guitarist. Highlights: bassist John Entwistle's performance of 'Boris the Spider'; the 'Pinball Wizard'/'See Me, Feel Me' medley; and 'Naked Eye'.

Please ignore the one reviewer that said this was a poor film. This performance and video are truly excellent, this had me riveted for years as a portrayal of the Who on an excellent night, yes later in their history, post Keith Moon, but absolutely sharp.

It was acknowledged that this was an excellent show when, 4 years later, the audio of this exact same concert was released on a CD called "The Who Live from Toronto." On wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_from_Toronto_%28The_Who_album%29 I would seriously love to have a copy of this like I used to. High points are many but even new songs like 'Eminence Front' sound incredible... the classics are delivered flawlessly. They do "Young man blues" (Orig. from Live at Leeds) and it's awesome though Roger screws the lines up, funny.

Filmed at the end of their career, The Who Rocks America was well filmed, clearly done, and has some fine rock moments. All the good songs are here and the hard edge of Townshend's guitar is great! Daltrey's vocals are a little strained though and not as good as usual.

NOTE: Includes some strong lyrics (f*ck mostly)