Asheville-based author and music journalist Bill Kopp leads a deep dive into <\/b>The Who\u2019s 1971 masterwork<\/b>, with fascinating background info, a curated selection of outtakes and demo recordings, <\/b>exclusive one-on-one interview excerpts <\/b>and a close listen to this remarkable and historic album. The listening party is FREE TO ATTEND and happens Tuesday, <\/b>November 10<\/b> @ 7pm at Joyful Noise Listening Lounge in Asheville\u2019s RAD.<\/b><\/p>\n
One of the greatest and most enduring albums of the rock era was created from the scraps of a failed concept album project. The fifth album from The Who, 1971\u2019s WHO\u2019S NEXT<\/i> would introduce some of the band\u2019s most memorable songs, including \u201cBaba O\u2019Riley,\u201d \u201cWon\u2019t Get Fooled again\u201d and the Top 40 single \u201cBehind Blue Eyes.\u201d A critical and chart success, WHO\u2019S NEXT<\/i> has been named on countless best-of lists as an essential album, and it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.<\/p>\n
But WHO\u2019s NEXT<\/i> wasn\u2019t conceived as an album-proper. It began as a science fiction rock opera by guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend. A story called Lifehouse<\/i> was set in a dystopian furture in which the Earth has been ravaged by pollution; humans live indoors, never venturing outside, and they\u2019re connected to each other by something called \u201cThe Grid.\u201d Some two-decades before the internet entered the public consciousness, Townshend had conceived something very much like it.<\/p>\n
But at the time of its conception, Lifehouse<\/i> was an unworkable concept, and the proposed album \u2013 a conceptual followup to The Who\u2019s earlier masterwork Tommy<\/i>, was shelved. In need of a new album, The Who decided to pick from among the best unused songs written for L<\/i>ifehouse<\/i>, and make a standard, non-concept album. The result was a masterpiece.<\/p>\n
Asheville-based author and music journalist Bill Kopp will present a discussion of WHO\u2019S NEXT<\/i> at Joyful Noise Listening Lounge on Tuesday, November 10 at 7pm. This free event will include a discussion of the album\u2019s background, and will include excepts of demos, alternate takes and unused songs form the sessions for Lifehouse<\/i> and WHO\u2019S NEXT<\/i>. He\u2019ll also share audio excerpts from his exclusive interviews with Pete Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey.<\/p>\n
At the conclusion of the talk, we\u2019ll listen together to a vinyl pressing of WHO\u2019S NEXT<\/i> \u2013 start to finish \u2013 on Joyful Noise\u2019s spectacular in-house stereo system.<\/p>\n
About Bill Kopp<\/b>
\nWith two decades-plus experience as a music journalist, Bill\u2019s work also appears in many outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture\/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll at UNC Asheville’s College for Seniors. He has also written liner notes for more than 40 albums. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon<\/i> was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave<\/i>, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What’s the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums<\/i> is available now.<\/p>\n
About Joyful Noise<\/b>
\nIn 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through Asheville\u2019s River Arts District and changed it overnight. Studios flooded. Restaurants closed. Gathering places \u2014 the kind that hold memories \u2014 were lost. But this neighborhood has always been built by people who make things. Artists. Brewers. Chefs. Musicians. Neighbors who believe in showing up for one another. And when the water receded, so did any doubt that the River Arts District would rise again. Joyful Noise Listening Lounge and Kitchen is part of that next chapter. Located at 37 Paynes Way in the heart of the River Arts District, Joyful Noise was created to give people a place to slow down and truly be present \u2014 with music, with food, and with each other. Our inspiration reaches beyond Asheville.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.musoscribe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/joyful_noise.png\")
WHAT:<\/b> Listening Party and Discussion: The Who\u2019s WHO\u2019S NEXT<\/i>
\nWHERE:<\/b> Joyful Noise Listening Lounge, 37 Paynes Way, Asheville
\nWHEN: <\/b>Tuesday, Nov. 10 @ 7pm
\nIMPORTANT DETAILS:<\/b> Event is FREE. Bar and Kitchen are OPEN.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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