The Songs Behind The Legends - The Who

Just as rock 'n' roll itself was a synthesis of a variety of musical strands across R&B, blues, country and jazz, the music of The Who drew on an eclectic range of musical experiences across the music spectrum which had pervaded their childhood and teenage years. All of the band's members, but in particular Pete Townshend, guitarist and principal songwriter, absorbed influences which included blues and jazz from across the post-war years as well as the R&B and early rock 'n' roll which was the staple diet of the more mainstream beat era bands, and it helped shape the highly distinctive and original character of their music, extending as it did into rock operas as well as chart hits. This 29-track CD brings together some of those records which influenced the way they performed and the repertoire of their early years, as well as framing their very individual musical personality. It's a hugely entertaining collection of music in its own right, but it also provides a fascinating insight into what helped make them such a unique force in music.