Forming in the mid-sixties, The Who quickly became a huge success because of their combative live presence and song lyrics that accurately described the feelings of their rebellious generation. Although they occasionally struggled to find their footing in the studio during their early years, the band immediately figured out how to put on a tremendous live show. From the trademark microphone swings of Roger Daltrey, to Pete Townshend's patented "windmills", the band always put on a convincing, angry rock performance that suited their audience very well. Combine that with the fret board acrobatics of John Entwistle and Keith Moon's aggressive arm flailing, and it's hard to imagine a band with more live energy. Shows would often end with the band literally destroying their equipment in a fit of rage.

Still, The Who didn't reach their songwriting prime until the seventies, when Townshend's lyrical prowess fully developed. The band's 1971 classic, Won't Get Fooled Again, is possibly the most enduring rock anthem of it's time, with rebellious lyrics that are widely recognized, even by people unfamiliar with The Who's music. Daltrey's anguished scream during the climax remains one of the most remarkable moments in modern popular music.

During their seventies prime, the band continued to advance with massive conceptual albums and superb musicianship that raised the bar for rock instrumentalists. Every member redefined the expectations of their respective roles in a rock band. It's hard to imagine the world of rock drumming without Keith Moon's influence, or bass playing without Entwistle, surely the greatest rock bass player of all time.

The band's success, however, came screeching to a halt in 1978 when Keith Moon died of a prescription drug overdose. The band initially tried to carry on, with new drummer Kenny Jones, but after two albums, it was clear that they had lost their artistic ambition. In 1982, they officially broke up, allowing the members to pursue other projects.

Starting with a 1985 performance at Live Aid, The Who continued to occasionally reunite during the following decades. In 2002, John Entwistle died in his sleep on the eve of the band's North American tour. Choosing to carry on with session bassist Pino Palladino, the band continues to perform today with a powerful five man lineup. Rumors persist that Townshend and Daltrey are hard at work on the first Who album since 1982. The rumors were fueled by the release of the band's first original material recorded in over 20 years when two new songs were released on their 2004 hits compilation, Then & Now. Even if the band never played another show after the early seventies, however, the anathematic rock of The Who remains the voice of a generation, cementing their status as one of rock's all-time champions.