Question 1

True or false: The Who's 'Baba O'Riley' was named after two of Pete Townshend's major influences: Meher Baba and Terry Riley.

Accepted Answer

True. Townshend combined the spiritual teacher Meher Baba with minimalist composer Terry Riley to create the song's title and synth loop.

Question 2

True or false: Daltrey's iconic microphone twirling was a stage trick he learned from a circus performer.

Accepted Answer

False. Daltrey's microphone twirling originated accidentally when he swung the mic to untangle a tangled cord, not from a circus performer.

Question 3

True or false: The Who's 'Tommy' was the first rock opera to be performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

Accepted Answer

True. In 1970, 'Tommy' debuted at the Met, breaking classical barriers. It was a landmark moment, blending rock and high culture.

Question 4

True or false: The Who's album 'Quadrophenia' was originally intended to be a double album with a full orchestral score.

Accepted Answer

True. Townshend envisioned a massive orchestral rock piece, but budget and time constraints led to synthesizers and a stripped-down sound.

Question 5

True or false: Pete Townshend originally wrote 'My Generation' as a commercial jingle for a soft drink company.

Accepted Answer

False. Townshend wrote 'My Generation' from frustration with older generations, not for advertising. The stutter was inspired by a speech impediment.

Question 6

True or false: Keith Moon was the first drummer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.

Accepted Answer

False. Moon was inducted with The Who, not as a solo artist. The first solo drummer inducted was actually Ringo Starr in 2015.

Question 7

True or false: John Entwistle played bass on all The Who albums using only a four-string Fender Precision Bass.

Accepted Answer

False. Entwistle famously used a custom Alembic eight-string bass and often a Gibson Thunderbird, not just a Fender Precision.

Question 8

True or false: The Who's 1967 performance on 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour' ended with the band smashing their instruments and an explosion that singed lead guitarist Pete Townshend's hair.

Accepted Answer

True. During the finale of 'My Generation', the band destroyed their equipment and a smoke bomb caused an explosion that singed Townshend's hair, shocking the audience.

The Who Trivia Questions