Stones vs. the Who

A recent question posed by the San Jose Mercury News asked the question, who is the better band? The author listed his breakdown, here is my take.

It is not really much of a contest. I love the Stones and they are a great pop/rock band and are always enjoyable entertainment.

The Who is a musical, lyrical and performing force that has, and, inspires passion. The Stones do not have much depth to their music and lyrics that would touch my life. The Who's music and lyrics are something every person with teen angst through middle age introspection can identify with. Both groups started out as great pop bands but The Who transcended to a whole different level. The pure rock fury of their live shows is well known. The Stones put on great theater but The Who can leave you feeling as though you have climbed a mountain and witnessed a breathtaking view that has altered your perspective.

No one can match the hit machine that is the Glimmer twins but, is great music just about hits? It’s like saying that great art is “Dogs playing poker” because everyone knows that one. Great musical art is with out a doubt The Who’s legacy. Great art inspires passion and was created from the passion from the artist’s views of life around them.

To quote a great review I once read about The Who; “The Rolling Stones may be better known and Led Zeppelin may sell more records but The Who is the greatest live performing band in the history of music”