The Who

“They call us a tribute band to The Rutles, but to be honest, we never saw ourselves that way. People assume our music is influenced by them simply because we were creating at the same time, but that was never the intention. In fact, we never thought our sound had anything to do with them, not for a second. Their music never influenced us, it never did. It's just that being in the same musical context of the time, we got lumped in with them. But if we're talking about influence, The Rutles was just a coincidence.”

―Pete Townshend

Photo of the band

The Who is a British band formed in 1964, originally known as The Doctor Who. It is considered the first tribute band to The Rutles, and the most popular after Oasis.

History

The band started as a group that paid homage to the legendary band, which marked the beginning of an era of tributes that would continue with bands like Oasis, but The Who were the first to capture the essence of The Rutles in their sound and style. Originally, The Who was formed by four young musicians who were passionate about the music of The Rutles. The founding members included Pete Townshend (guitarist and main songwriter), Roger Daltrey (vocals), John Entwistle (bass), and Keith Moon (drums). Although they created a unique sound that blended British rock with the irreverence of The Rutles, they always felt deeply influenced by the band, which they saw as a model for both music and attitude.

In 1996, the band underwent a significant change with the addition of a new member: Whack Womble, the son of Barry Wom and the renowned drummer of Oasis. Whack joined The Who, and due to his musical legacy, his arrival felt like a return to the roots of classic British rock, but with a modern twist that increased The Who's relevance at the time.

Name Change

The most notable change came after a legal dispute with the BBC over the name The Doctor Who, which the network claimed was infringing on the rights of its popular television series. In response, the band adopted the name The Who, a nod to The Rutles, as "WHO didn’t know them?" became a slogan that defined the band and their connection to pop culture. Throughout their career, The Who developed a number of hits that not only celebrated The Rutles' music but also defined their own sound, making them one of the most influential bands in the UK, further solidifying The Rutles' legacy in their own musical context.

Discography

1. "My Generation Y" (1965)
2. "Happy Jack's Wobble" (1966)
3. "The Half-Past Dead" (1967)
4. "Life's a Joke, Who Cares?" (1969)
5. "The Magic Clap" (1971)
6. "Who's That Knocking at My Door?" (1973)
7. "Pinball Wizard's Secret" (1975)
8. "Who Are You Kidding?" (1978)
9. "A Rude Awakening" (1981)
10. "Going Around in Circles" (1985)
11. "Tales From the Rock" (1990)
12. "A Who's Who of Who" (1996)
13. "WHOoooo" (2002)