With Entwistle’s incitement, Pete Townshend became the group’s solo guitarist. In 1963, lead vocalist Colin Dawson left the band following frequent arguments with Roger Daltrey and was replaced by Gabby Connolly who also left the band unexpectedly. Harry Wilson was fired and replaced by English drummer, Doug Sandom. In mid-1962, the band had been playing covers of instrumentals by the likes of The Shadows and The Ventures. The line-up during that time consisted Roger Daltrey playing the lead guitar, John Entwistle playing the bass guitar, Harry Wilson playing the drums and Colin Dawson on lead vocals.

He in turn recommended Townshend as a rhythm guitarist and he also joined.ĭaltrey became the lead guitarist and then the leader of the band. Roger Harry Daltrey started the band named the Detours in 1959, noticed Entwistle and recruited him as the bassist. Townsend, had a well renowned musician, Sir Clifford Townshend for a father, and Betty (nee Dennis) a singer with the popular Sydney Torch and Les Douglass Orchestras for a mother. Peter and Entwistle met in Acton County Grammar School where they became friends in their second year of high school.Įach of these young men at that time had great interest in rock music. The inaugural team players of the band, Peter Townshend, John Entwistle and Roger Daltrey all grew up in Acton, London. The mention of Detours in the birth of the pop/rock band is a necessity in its foundation. The Detours were a skiffle band formed in 1959. Before The Who, was ever mentioned, they were identified as the Detours. This rock band was officially formed in 1964 in London. The blend of talent in each of the founding members is a factor in the career explosion of the British pop and rock band that has reigned for over five decades. The eventful 20 th century birthed many talents and gifts in the entertainment industry, out of which came this English rock band with a name that many have sarcastically declared needed a question mark to be complete, The Who. “The Pacesetters of 20 th Century rock bands” is the phrase- preference used to describe one of, if not the most influential rock bands of mankind’s ‘tumultuous’ era.

The who songs 1965