The Who

At Kilburn: 1977 (Image Entertainment)

“On 15 December, 1977, after a hiatus of over a year, the Who assembled in … Kilburn, North London, to record a concert for Jeff Stein’s documentary film, The Kids Are Alright. Shot before a select invited audience, it would turn out to be Keith Moon’s last but one live performance.” Who needs more intro in the face of Roger Daltrey’s prime beef; Pete Townshend’s windmill, pogo, und tantrum; and John “Ox” Entwistle channeling the Thames? Even Moon’s penultimate thunderclaps shake the cameras at times. (“I’m gonna go backstage and OD,” he jokes.) “Substitute,” “My Wife” abuse, the blissfully flubbed Who by Numbers bauble “Dreaming From the Waist,” a quakin’ “Shakin’ All Over,” and salvaged closer “Won’t Get Fooled Again” are all right, all right. Better still is the bootleg-quality second disc, London, 1969, Moon’s tiny kit driving the Who’s nonchalant roar, featuring what might be Tommy‘s finest hour. “This wasn’t worth filming,” gripes Townshend halfway through the hourlong Kilburn set. Don’t be fooled.

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This article appears in December 26 • 2008.

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San Francisco native Raoul Hernandez crossed the border into Texas on July 2, 1992, and began writing about music for the Chronicle that fall, debuting with an album review of Keith Richards’ Main Offender. By virtue of local show previews – first “Recommendeds,” now calendar picks – his writing’s appeared in almost every issue since 1993.