“The kids are alright” film was primarily the work of
American fan Jeff Stein who in 1975, he approached Pete Townshend, and told him
about his idea to compiling a collection of film clips to provide a historical
reference for the band's fans. Townshend initially rejected the idea. Stein made a 17-minute short film with clips from
their US television appearances, and showed it to the band and their wives,
They loved it. That's when they were really convinced that the movie was worth
doing.
For more than two years, he collected film, television
and fan film footage in England, the United States, Sweden, Germany, France,
Australia, Norway and Finland, in some cases actually rescuing footage from the
trash. But the film required the shooting of new material. This began on 20
July 1977 at Shepperton Studios in Middlesex, England, with a lighthearted
rehearsal of old songs, including the Beach Boys song "Barbara Ann"
at Stein's request. bit.ly/Tw-KaA A special one-off show at the Kilburn State Theatre in
December 1977, staged for the film, only one song “My Wife” was included on
soundtrack. A second performed to a much better level, in front of an invited
audience took place at Shepperton Studios on 25 May 1978. "Baba
O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again".
The sound editing was supervised by bassist John
Entwistle. In the summer a early version from soundtrack was compiled according to the film, although it underwent several changes until its release. During the process of sound editing, on 7 September 1978, Keith Moon
died. All of the band members except Townshend had seen a rough cut of the film
just a week before, and, after Moon's death, they were determined not to change
anything, though the lp if it was re-worked.
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on 14
May 1979. The Who promoted the release of the film with some live performances
with their new drummer, former Small Faces and Faces drummer Kenney Jones. A
soundtrack album was released in June 8 1979, including some songs and
performances from the film. It was originally
released as a double album on Polydor Records in the UK and MCA Records in
the US. Reached #26 in the
UK, and fared better in the US, where it peaked at #8 on the Billboard album
charts and went Platinum.
This is an early version made by John Entwistle and
Jeff Stein.
Side A: (22:40)
1.The Kids Are
alright. (2:52)
IBC Studios
London. October 13.1965. From “My Generation” album.
2.My Generation. (5:12)
Smothers Brothers
Comedy Hour, CBS Studios, Los Angeles, September 15, 1967.
3.I Can't Explain.
(2:29)
Shindig!,
Twickenham Film Studios, Middlesex, August 3, 1965. Broadcast in the US,
October 2.
4.Shout And
Shimmy. (3:13)
IBC Studios,
London. April 12/14.1965. B-side “My Generation” single.
5.Substitute. (3:54)
6.Pictures Of
LiLy. (2:41)
7.Happy Jack. (2:15)
Monterey
International Pop Festival. Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey Ca.June
18.1967
Side B: (22:31)
1.A Quick One,
While He's Away. (7:44)
The Rolling Stones
Rock'n'Roll Curcus, Stonebridge Park Studios, Wembley, London, December 10, 1968.
2.Young Man Blues.
(5:42)
The London
Coliseum, Covent Garden, London, December 14, 1969.
3.Tommy Can You
Hear Me. (1:32)
Beat Club, Radio
Bremen Studios, Hamburg, Germany, August 26 and 28, 1969 (Audio pre-recorded).
4Pinball Wizard. (2:24)
5.See Me, Feel
Me. (5:08)
Woodstock Music and Art Fair, Bethel, New York, August
17, 1969.
Side C: (21:47)
1.Road Runner / My
Generation Blues (Medley). (5:13)
Metropolitan
Stadium, Pontiac, Michigan, December 6, 1975.
2.Success Story. (3:18)
Shepperton Studios,
Shepperton, Surrey, England. Using Ronnie Lane´s Mobile Studio . April/June,
1975.
3.Barbara Ann. (2:47)
Shepperton Film
Studios, Middlesex. July 21, 1977.
4.Who Are You. (5:10)
Ramport Studios,
Battersea, London, May 9, 1978.
5.Baba O´Riley. (5:18)
Shepperton Film
Studios, Middlesex, May 25, 1978.
Side D: (20:28)
1.My Wife. (5:56)
Gaumont State
Theatre, Kilburn, London, December 15.1977.
2.Won´t Get Fooled
Again. (9:12)
Shepperton Film
Studios, Middlesex, May 25, 1978.
3.Long Live Rock. (3:56)
Olympic Studios,
Barnes, London. June 5, 1972.
4.The Kids Are
Alright (edit).(1:23)
Ok, that´s all, see you soon with more and better. Meanwhile take care!.
