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By Dave Miller

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Has any band done more to diminish its legacy than The Who?

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From an endless repackaging of their music to tours motivated primarily by money, including the crass continuation of the 2002 one days after bassist John Entwistle died, to the countless disses of the band by its leader in interviews, The Who have tested the dedication of even their biggest fans to the point where some have given up seeing the band.

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For me, that came when The Who gave a scattered performance of Quadrophenia in 1997 at the World Music Theatre in Tinley Park. It wasn't bad and even contained greatness -- mostly from Entwistle and some from Pete Townshend, although his tinnitus caused him to scale back his guitar playing. However, it was disappointing to see a band that was arguably the greatest live act in rock history play as a mere shell of itself. It was like watching Willie Mays stumble out of the batter's box at the end of his career. The show didn't come close to stacking up against the one I saw at Alpine Valley in 1989 when the band brought a lot of extra musicians on tour to supply a boost. I vowed it would be the last time I see The Who.

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I stuck to that for a long time -- until Thursday night at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. Time had dulled my disappointment from that 1997 show. Plus I felt a good vibe surrounding this tour, which features yet another presentation of Quadrophenia. Stories about the tour didn't allude to anybody needing a financial bailout and Townshend sounded like he appreciated the band more than he has in years. Instead of taking shots at Roger Daltrey, Townshend was only complimentary of the singer. Presumably the writing of this new autobiography, Who I Am, caused Townshend to examine and reflect on the band with a newfound fondness. I was further encouraged by Townshend's book signing earlier in the week at Barnes & Noble in Old Orchard Center. He seemed to be in a good place, warmly engaging anyone who engaged him -- including this fan. After telling me it took 18 months to write the book, he reached out his hand to shake mine and said, "Nice to meet you." Judging by the reaction of people as they walked away from the signing, the appearance seemed to be a positive experience for the more than 600 people who attended. Taking all that into account, the concert looked promising despite a report that Townshend walked off the stage during the encore of the tour's first show when the stage monitors were too loud.

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This show got off to a slow start. Allstate Arena's notoriously poor acoustics wreaked havoc with the sound as soon as the band dove into the opener, "I Am the Sea." Townshend appeared to have some guitar problems. I became further fearful that what was left of The Who was going to rest on past glory when old clips of the band played prominently on the big video screen. I drank my beer with a sinking feeling.  

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And then everything changed.

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The sound improved dramatically. Townshend attacked his guitar with a barrage of windmills. Daltrey swung his microphone and belted out muscular vocals. Even the video screen stopped reminding you of what the band used to be and started supporting what the band was doing now by showing graphics serving Quadrophenia.

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The night took flight in the middle of the set with "5:15." Technology enabled Entwistle to appear on the screen and his thunderous bass to accompany the band. Townshend kept the energy high as he sang "Drowned," and the performance level continued there for the rest of the night. "Bell Boy" brought drummer Keith Moon back to life on the screen to sing. Six musicians, highlighted by drummer Zak Starkey, bassist Pino Palladino and Townshend's younger brother, Simon, on guitar, with the occasional addition of two horn players supported the band, but the spotlight remained squarely on Townshend and Daltrey. They poured a reinvigorated commitment into Quadrophenia. The performance of the 39-year-old concept album played out in the moment. After concluding the album with "Love, Reign o'er Me," the band basked in a long ovation. Even Townshend appeared pleased with the results. "It's a tough one to play," he told the crowd. "It's Helter Skelter music all the way through with no breaks."

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Townshend noted the band made Chicago its base for eight days during its jaunt through some Midwestern cities. "There's nothing like it," he said of the city, while mentioning the holiday lights downtown and recalling the band's shows at Alpine Valley. Daltrey chimed in that The Who debuted Quadrophenia in Chicago at the International Amphitheatre on the exact same date in 1973. "Who told you that?" Townshend said. "He was wrong." Townshend laughed at his correction. It was the only moment that was even remotely contentious.

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The encore arrived with the power of the jumbo jets that relentlessly buzz the arena. "Who Are You." "Behind Blue Eyes." "Pinball Wizard." "Baba O'Riley." "Won't Get Fooled Again." Rock doesn't get any more powerful than that. It would have been best to stop after the intoxicating run of anthems. But, with the jazzed audience still catching its breath, the backing musicians left the stage and Daltrey and Townshend turned down the volume and performed the sentimental "Tea and Theatre" as two old brothers-in-arms. On its own, it was a nice nod to all they've been through together, but, in this context, it also reminded of the reality of their age and broke the powerful spell of the rest of the encore.

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But that was a minor quibble in a show that turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The Who enhanced their legacy for a change.

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The setlist:

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I Am the Sea
The Real Me
Quadrophenia

Cut My Hair

The Punk and the Godfather

I'm One

The Dirty Jobs

Helpless Dancer

Is It in My Head?

I've Had Enough

5:15 (Entwistle solo)

Sea and Sand

Drowned

Bell Boy

Doctor Jimmy

The Rock

Love, Reign o'er Me

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Who Are You

Behind Blue Eyes

Pinball Wizard

Baba O'Riley

Won't Get Fooled Again

Tea and Theatre

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Start: 8:28 p.m./Finish: 10:43 p.m.
Totals: 23 songs, two hours 15 minutes

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Photo Gallery

The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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The Who

November 29, 2012 @ Allstate Arena

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