Talk and Listen: The Who’s WHO’S NEXT
Listening Party and Discussion:
The Who’s WHO’S NEXT
at Joyful Noise Listening Lounge
Asheville-based author and music journalist Bill Kopp leads a deep dive into The Who’s 1971 masterwork, with fascinating background info, a curated selection of outtakes and demo recordings, exclusive one-on-one interview excerpts and a close listen to this remarkable and historic album. The listening party is FREE TO ATTEND and happens Tuesday, November 10 @ 7pm at Joyful Noise Listening Lounge in Asheville’s RAD.
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’s WHO’S NEXT would introduce some of the band’s most memorable songs, including “Baba O’Riley,” “Won’t Get Fooled again” and the Top 40 single “Behind Blue Eyes.” A critical and chart success, WHO’S NEXT has been named on countless best-of lists as an essential album, and it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.
But WHO’s NEXT wasn’t conceived as an album-proper. It began as a science fiction rock opera by guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend. A story called Lifehouse was set in a dystopian furture in which the Earth has been ravaged by pollution; humans live indoors, never venturing outside, and they’re connected to each other by something called “The Grid.” Some two-decades before the internet entered the public consciousness, Townshend had conceived something very much like it.
But at the time of its conception, Lifehouse was an unworkable concept, and the proposed album – a conceptual followup to The Who’s earlier masterwork Tommy, was shelved. In need of a new album, The Who decided to pick from among the best unused songs written for Lifehouse, and make a standard, non-concept album. The result was a masterpiece.
Asheville-based author and music journalist Bill Kopp will present a discussion of WHO’S NEXT at Joyful Noise Listening Lounge on Tuesday, November 10 at 7pm. This free event will include a discussion of the album’s background, and will include excepts of demos, alternate takes and unused songs form the sessions for Lifehouse and WHO’S NEXT. He’ll also share audio excerpts from his exclusive interviews with Pete Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey.
At the conclusion of the talk, we’ll listen together to a vinyl pressing of WHO’S NEXT – start to finish – on Joyful Noise’s spectacular in-house stereo system.
About Bill Kopp
With two decades-plus experience as a music journalist, Bill’s 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 ‘n’ 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 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, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What’s the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now.
About Joyful Noise
In 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through Asheville’s River Arts District and changed it overnight. Studios flooded. Restaurants closed. Gathering places — the kind that hold memories — 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 — with music, with food, and with each other. Our inspiration reaches beyond Asheville.
WHAT: Listening Party and Discussion: The Who’s WHO’S NEXT
WHERE: Joyful Noise Listening Lounge, 37 Paynes Way, Asheville
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 10 @ 7pm
IMPORTANT DETAILS: Event is FREE. Bar and Kitchen are OPEN.