More than just a biography or discography, this work is a thoroughly detailed guide to every known recording of the legendary British rock band The Who—their entire range, from their early hits of the 1960s through the ambitious concept works to their later successes.
Many previously uncovered facts are incorporated into the text, and the author has been able to glean exclusive information from The Who’s archives. Unrealized Who projects are discussed and analyzed for the first time in print. Finally, the work contains a discography of CDs and an exhaustive appendix of every known Who song.

Writer John Atkins grew up with The Who’s music in the northwest of England, launched the highly-regarded Who fanzine Generations and has acted as researcher and consultant on various Who CD and film projects. He lives in Preston, Lancashire, England, and works as a transport consultant.

John Atkins
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 352
Bibliographic Info: appendices, notes, discography, index
Copyright Date: 2009 [2000]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4097-9
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0657-6
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1

1. Art, Rock and Roll, and the Who      5
2. Maximum Reaction (1963-1965)      29
3. Art Pop (1966-1967)      63
4. High Energy, Deep Mysticism (1968-1970)      100
5. To the Lifehouse (1971-1972)      139
6. Rockers and Mods (1973-1974)      177
7. Beating the Retreat (1975-1978)      216
8. Second Generation (1979-1998)      245

Notes      273
Appendix 1: Essential LP and CD Releases (1965-1998)      281
Appendix 2: Index of Who Songs and Recorded Performances (1963-1991)      289
Index      331

Winner, ARSC Award for Excellence
“a thorough, intelligent guide”—Classic Images; “a scrupulous job…the text benefits greatly from Atkins’ obvious love for his subject, which enhances its readability and ensures that tedium never sets in…a treat for the die-hard fan in its attention to detail…this book should enthrall any Who fan or anyone interested in the recording history of one of the greatest, most innovative bands in rock history. BOOK OF THE MONTH.”—Simon Ward, Record Collector.