The Who as a live unit is unquestionably on-topic when it comes to which rock bands dominate the concert circuit. Sorry Beatles fans‚ but this is one area where the Who have the edge. That may be why they’ve released more live albums than studio albums. There’s no shortage of stellar captures than with the original foursome of Pete Townshend‚ Roger Daltrey‚ John Entwistle‚ and Keith Moon. Live performances with more lineups from the last 20 years have come out digitally and in physical form. For 2024‚ a double set called Live At Shea Stadium 1982 provides a defining moment for the Who in their storied existence. A film of the same show was previously released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2015‚ so Live At Shea Stadium 1982 functions as an audio companion — for vinyl lovers‚ there’s three LPs; for CD collectors‚ there’s two CDs. Compared to earlier and more recent eras‚ the Who’s time with drummer Kenney Jones is somewhat overlooked‚ with only a handful of live documents shared. The much maligned Who’s Last‚ released in 1984‚ gathers a good chunk of December 14‚ 1982‚ their final U.S. concert show from the tour‚ and it is amended with cuts from other stops on the tour. Where it falls short is not including any of the newer‚ less-known songs the Who were playing at the time. Live At Shea Stadium more than makes up for it. Alongside the usual favorites like “Won’t Get Fooled Again‚” “My Generation‚” “Substitute‚” “Who Are You‚” and “Baba O’Riley‚” the set is rounded out by a few songs from the then-new album‚ It’s Hard‚ such as “Dangerous” and “Cry If You Want.” Those and others like “Sister Disco‚” “The Quiet One‚” and “It’s Hard” were dropped from the setlist eons ago. Thrown in buried Who treasure like “I’m One” and “The Punk And The Godfather” from Quadrophenia‚ plus the classic “Naked Eye‚” and it’s easy to see what distinguishes Live At Shea Stadium from most other Who live discs. That alone warrants extra special attention. The 1982 tour was their last with Jones (he played a couple more shows‚ including 1985’s Live Aid). It was also billed as their “farewell” tour‚ all but certain until they returned in 1989. Recorded October 13‚ 1982‚ the second of their two-night run at the legendary venue‚ Live At Shea Stadium doesn’t sound like a band ready to hang it up. Daltrey’s voice is at its most powerful. Townshend‚ who’d adopted a roguish‚ punk-inspired attitude‚ aggressively scratches and claws his guitar‚ while adding an extra bite to his vocals. Entwistle is as solid as ever‚ and Jones is right in the pocket and the perfect foil for the Who after Moon’s passing. There was never a question of his place on the throne. The disparities were affecting the founders‚ and much needed a break was important to the preservation of the legacy. Holding up Live At Shea Stadium to something as monumental as Live At Leeds is both a disservice and archaic act. The fact that they each capture single performances may be their most credible assets. Coming from different periods of the Who’s gestation is what they make them equally enticing to close followers and historians. Booming from your speakers in quick succession‚ one can only surmise that over the course of 12 years‚ the Who never wavered from their ability to assault the senses with convicted passion and singularity. “Long Live Rock!” indeed. ~ Shawn Perry The post The Who | Live At Shea Stadium 1982 – Live Release Review first appeared on VintageRock.com.

Four people have now been arrested in connection to the discovery of body parts that were scattered across a Long Island park.