The Life and Legacy of Rock Legends, The Who

Who’s Next came out of disappointment. Pete had planned an entire rock opera called Lifehouse, but it didn’t come together the way he imagined. Still, the songs he wrote for it weren’t wasted. Instead, they ended up on an album that became one of their strongest. The ideas were still big, but the presentation was more straightforward.

“Baba O’Riley” opened the album with something new—synths, tension, release. “Won’t Get Fooled Again” closed it with one of the most unforgettable screams in rock history. They didn’t get to build the world they’d imagined. But they built something that lasted.