60s

The Story of The Who - 1965

1965

January 15

‘I Can’t Explain’, produced by Shel Talmy, is released on Brunswick in the UK. After a struggle it reaches number eight in the UK charts.

January 29

The Who appear on the classic British TV show Ready Steady Go! for the first time.

April 2

The Who’s first BBC radio session on The Joe Loss Pop Show.

May 21

‘Anyway Anyhow Anywhere’ is released on Brunswick. Featuring uncontrolled feedback, it is a deliberate attempt to translate the group’s stage show to record. The Who promote it on the TV show Ready Steady Go! which later adopts it as their theme tune for a spell. The record reaches number 10 in the charts.

August 6

The Who play the Richmond Jazz Festival.

September/October

The Who tour Holland and Scandinavia for the first time. Roger is fired from the band by the other three for his dictatorial attitude. It will not be the first time that tensions within The Who, principally between Pete and Roger, cause disruption of group activities.

October 29

‘My Generation’ released and reaches number two in the UK, the nearest – along with ‘I’m A Boy’ in 1966 – The Who will ever get to the top spot in the British charts. Roger is quickly reinstated, and for the time being he adopts a more conciliatory attitude.

December

The Who’s first LP My Generation is released. It reaches number five in the UK LP charts.