The Who Tour 1966

History

The band played nearly non-stop in 1966, mostly shows in the United Kingdom with several short trips to European countries like Sweden and Germany mixed in. Performances during the early part of the year included material from the My Generation album (released in late 1965) and numerous cover songs; March saw the release of "Substitute", which would become one of the most performed songs in the Who canon, and "I'm a Boy" (released in August) would also remain in their act for several years. Later 1966 shows would feature material from the A Quick One album, as well as the single "Happy Jack".

Instrument destruction at the conclusion of "My Generation" remained an integral part of the group's stage show and would well into 1968. Meanwhile, the band suffered through some inner turmoil, with both Roger Daltrey and Keith Moon briefly quitting at different times during the month of May.

Highlights of 1966 included the May NME Poll Winners' Concert, where the band played "Substitute" and "My Generation". Their last performance of the year was a New Year's Eve show entitled "Psychedelicamania" at The Roundhouse in London, sharing the bill with The Move and Pink Floyd.

Tour band

January–May: UK and France

Aside from three days in France, the first half of the year was spent performing entirely in the United Kingdom. Staples in the act included "My Generation", "Heat Wave", and "Dancing in the Street", while "Substitute", "Barbara Ann" (sung by Keith Moon and based on the Beach Boys version), and the Everly Brothers' "A Man With Money" were also regularly featured in band's shows, along with versions of "Daddy Rolling Stone" that included some of Stevie Wonder's "Uptight (Everything's Alright)".

Songs documented as being played at this stage are as follows:

1. "Heat Wave" (Holland-Dozier-Holland)
2. "Runaround Sue" (Dion DiMucci, Ernie Maresca)
3. "Dancing in the Street" (Marvin Gaye, William "Mickey" Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter)
4. "I Can't Explain" (Pete Townshend)
5. "Substitute" (Pete Townshend)
6. "Barbara Ann" (Fred Fassert)
7. "A Man With Money" (Don Everly, Phil Everly)
8. "Daddy Rolling Stone" (Otis Blackwell)/"Uptight (Everything's Alright)" (Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy, Henry Cosby)
9. "My Generation" (Pete Townshend)

June–October: Scandinavia and UK

Shows during this period featured much of the same material as earlier in the year, with the notable addition of the group's new single, "I'm a Boy", and early performances of "So Sad About Us", which would appear on their second LP, A Quick One. Songs documented as being played at this stage are as follows (all written by Pete Townshend unless otherwise specified):

1. "Heat Wave" (Holland-Dozier-Holland)
2. "Dancing in the Street" (Marvin Gaye, William "Mickey" Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter)
3. "Barbara Ann" (Fred Fassert)
4. "I Can't Explain"
5. "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" (Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey)
6. "Daddy Rolling Stone" (Otis Blackwell)/"Uptight (Everything's Alright)" (Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy, Henry Cosby)
7. "So Sad About Us"
8. "Substitute"
9. "See See Rider" (Ma Rainey, Lena Arant)
10. "Baby Don't You Do It" (Holland-Dozier-Holland)
11. "A Legal Matter"
12. "I'm a Boy"
13. "My Generation"

October–December: Europe and UK

Performances at this stage of the year included more material from the band’s A Quick One album, such as "See My Way" and John Entwistle's "Whiskey Man". The single "Happy Jack" began appearing towards the end of the year and would be a regular part of the act well into 1970.

Songs documented as being played at this stage are as follows (all written by Pete Townshend unless otherwise specified):

1. "Heat Wave" (Holland-Dozier-Holland)
2. "Dancing in the Street" (Marvin Gaye, William "Mickey" Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter)
3. "Barbara Ann" (Fred Fassert)
4. "So Sad About Us"
5. "See My Way" (Roger Daltrey)
6. "Whiskey Man" (John Entwistle)
7. "Substitute"
8. "The Kids Are Alright"
9. "A Legal Matter"
10. "I'm a Boy"
11. "Happy Jack"
12. "My Generation"