I hope I die before I get (that) old ...

[uwe]

Ginger of course defied rock tradition (fledgling as it still was back then), but I always think of his drumming as someone holding an animated discussion with the music around him.

Keith Moon was at least one thing not: boring.

But Townshend (and with him in tow also Daltrey) seemed to eventually tire of a hyperactive, not always controllable rhythm section. Everything he has done since Keith and John left us was aimed at toning the rhythm section down. He wasn't the only one: Paul Weller did the same after The Jam and Sting never let a Stewart Copeland or Andy Summers into one of his backing ensembles either.

[gearHed289]

Uwe, I just thought I'd poke at you to see what the response was.    As usual, your response was well thought out and conveyed. We all know it's really subjective. I love MIJ, but Live at Leeds has a ferocity that's hard to beat. Expanded editions are highly recommended.

Alanko - Well put. I would add Brian Downey to the list of swinging rock drummers.

[uwe]

I agree with the ferocity of Live at Leeds. I also know the Hull recording. The playing is fine, it's just that a lot of the 60s material doesn't really benefit from that treatment. Of course that all changed with Who's Next and the enlarged line-up.

Made in Japan was basically a live rerun of Machine Head, an album that had only been recorded eight months before, honed to perfection on endless tours and with Purple already having a clear vision of what they were and what they wanted to be, also what worked live and what wouldn't. Live At Leeds in contrast had The Who wrapping up their 60s singles in a performance that saw them on their way to future stadium rock. In so far, my comparison between LaL and MiJ wasn't entirely fair.