Rob Honzell
It's easy to die before you get old. But to age gracefully, to grow old and keep that rock 'n' roll heart beating strong, that takes work.
And though there was much doubt The Who - or "The Two" as they've been dubbed by fans - still had it, it became clear they've aged not only with grace, but with windmill guitar-strumming style.
As a full moon shone down on Calgary, Pete Townshend, 61, and Roger Daltrey, 62, fronted The Who through a 2* hours set last night in front of a sold-out crowd at the 'Dome.
The reason fans have been calling them "The Two" is because this tour comes four years after bassist John Entwistle followed drummer Keith Moon to an early grave, leaving only Townshend and Daltrey as surviving members.
Though Daltrey's voice was strained at times, the show was full of nostalgic fantasy and crushing rock 'n' roll.
Daltrey, dressed casually in T-shirt and jeans, and Townshend, in classic black, were focusing on the music, rather than the riffs and power chords that made them famous in the '70s.
Filling in were Pino Palladino on bass, John (Rabbit) Bundrick on keyboards, Ringo Star's son Zak Starkey on drums and Pete's brother Simon on guitar.
But the band stayed at the back of the stage, knowing the tickets purchased were for The Who's frontmen.
The Who, who became famous in the '70s as arena rock gods, are known for the battle for dominance between singer Daltrey and guitar player Townshend.
Last night showed that while Daltrey still has a commanding presence on stage, the clear leader of The Who is Townshend.
With every windmill strum and technical picking he rang in, he showed everyone on hand why only Keith Richards could ever contest his title as the best rock guitar player alive.
Touring in support of Endless Wire, out Oct. 30, their first new album since 1982's It's Hard, they played a fine mix of old and new.
As they strode out to a standing ovation and rolled right into I Can't Explain, there was no doubt they still had that fire that earned them a spot in the hearts of music fans the world over.
Swinging right into The Seeker and Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere, the natural flow that occurs when Daltrey and Townshend join forces was a sight to behold.
Classic cuts Who Are You, Behind Blue Eyes and Won't Get Fooled Again, all accompanied by a blinding light show, held up as a clinic on how to put together an arena concert.
As the opening notes of Baba O'Riley rang out, the 'Dome was thundering, marking history in the making, as rock greatness blessed its stage.
Opening act Inward Eye, three young brothers from Winnipeg, have been called "the next big thing" to come out of the chilly city.
They lived up to those expectations and then some as tight harmonies, innovative song structure and manic enthusiasm make them winners in the "Canadian bands to look out for" contest.
Special cred goes to the spastically-gifted drummer, who played with such skill and joy, it's likely even Keith Moon himself would have tipped his hat.
