Page updated February 1, 2026. This is a highly abridged version of all the things that happened to and around The Who in February. Click for access to the full history.
February 1964
New music releases: "Kissin' Cousins" - Elvis Presley; Hello, Dolly! - Carol Channing and Various Artists; The Third Album - Barbara Streisand; "A World Without Love" - Peter and Gordon
On the 1st, John Entwistle tunes in to Thank Your Lucky Stars and sees another band called The Detours. This band, hailing from Liverpool, had formerly been known as Lee Curtis and The Detours, but became simply The Detours after Curtis left. Now they are riding a short-lived wave supplied to all the Mersey Beat groups by the success of The Beatles. John goes to Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend and Doug Sandom and breaks the news. With one group called "The Detours" already appearing on national television, they realize they will have to change the name of their band.
February 1966
New music releases: If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears - The Mama's & The Papa's; "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" - The Righteous Brothers; "Nowhere Man" - The Beatles; Ballads of the Green Berets - SSgt. Barry Sadler
Rave magazine puts out its February issue with Roger on the cover. Inside is a lengthy interview conducted by BBC disc jockey Alan Freeman with Pete, Roger and John together. It is one of the best in-depth interviews with the group from this early period. Pete and John report that their hearing is already beginning to go, leading to a humorous bit: "It's beginning to affect our eardrums." "Eh?" said John Entwistle. "I said it's beginning to affect our eardrums," roared Pete. "I don't like rum," shouted John. "I'll have a Scotch and coke." "What Scotch bloke?" Pete also admits that the story of him accidently smashing his guitar on the low ceiling of the Railway Hotel was invented by The Who's managers. The truth was that it was inspired by a lecture from self-destructive artist Gustav Metzger, Pete suggesting to the band that they try it onstage. "We tried it out with me slamming the guitar into the amps. Keith pounded his drums into smithereens and hurled them into the audience and the audience threw them back." "I couldn't think of anything to contribute," Roger said modestly. "So, I scratched the speaker column with my fingernail. It made the best row of all." "But it worked out," said Pete. "The last chords were struck, and we put down the guitars and we walked off. They were astounded, and a few laughed at first. Then they began to clap, and that was it."
February 1967
New music releases: "Happy Together" - The Turtles; How Great Thou Art - Elvis Presley; "Penny Lane" - The Beatles; Surrealistic Pillow - Jefferson Airplane
On the 4th, in Melody Maker, John now has his chance to do blind ratings of singles. He does not make many friends, with ratings ranging from "take it off!" to just tolerable. These include Petula Clark's "This Is My Song", Donovan's "Mellow Yellow", and Herman's Hermit's "There's a Kind of Hush". On the same day New Musical Express prints the article: "Who are mellower fellows now". It's an interview with Keith.
February 1969
New music releases: Retrospective: The Best of Buffalo Springfield - Buffalo Springfield; "It's Your Thing" - The Isley Brothers; "Time is Tight" - Booker T & The MG's; "Soulful Strut" - Young-Holt Unlimited
On the 4th, manager Kit Lambert brings in the Guardian's rock critic Nik Cohn to listen to rehearsals of the song "Pinball Wizard" inspired by his love for the table-top game. Accompanying him is the young woman who is the subject of his book Arfur: Teenage Pinball Queen. On the 7th, The Who record the final studio version of "Pinball Wizard" at Morgan Studios in London.
February 1971
New music releases: Tapestry - Carole King; "Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)" - Raiders; The Yes Album - Yes; Glen Campbell's Greatest Hits - Glen Campbell
On the 13th, Pete and John are interviewed by Keith Altham in Record Mirror. Pete says he is currently working on personal material "that the Who just don't like" and speaks out against drug use. John says he is shortly releasing a solo LP called "What Are We Doing Here?" that will include a cover of Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl."
February 1972
New album releases: "Tiny Dancer" - Elton John; Harvest - Neil Young; "Vincent" - Don McLean; Greatest Hits - Blood, Sweat & Tears
On the 10th, The Who assemble at a studio in Blackfairs for Tony McGrath to shoot a recreation of their 1966 photo for a new cover article in The Observer. Keith is late in arriving from a Disc and Music Echo party at Hatchett's Club in Piccadilly where he and John accepted an award for Best Live Band. John can be seen restraining Keith who has tried to attack the hapless photographer. The issue is released 19 March.
February 1973
New records: Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite - Elvis Presley; Billion Dollar Babies - Alice Cooper; 16 Greatest Hits - Steppenwolf; "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" - Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
On the 10th, Billboard reports The New Seekers' cover of "Pinball Wizard/See Me, Feel Me" as a new single. It ultimately reaches #29 in Billboard, #21 in Cash Box and #16 in Britain. The same issue also reports that John Entwistle's single "I Wonder"/"Who Cares", taken from Whistle Rymes, has been released in the U.S. It does not reach the charts.
February 1974
New music releases: "Bennie and The Jets" - Elton John; Skeletons from the Closet: The Best of the Grateful Dead - Grateful Dead; What Once Were Vices Are Now Habits - The Doobie Brothers; "Hooked on a Feeling" - Blue Swede
Ann-Margret, Roger, Pete, John, Billy Nicholls, Jess Roden and Paul Gurvitz record their vocals over backing tracks for the Tommy soundtrack.
February 1975
New music releases: Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin; An Evening With John Denver - John Denver; "Philadelphia Freedom" - Elton John; "Get Down Tonight" - K.C. & The Sunshine Band
On the 21st, John and his solo band Ox begin a U.S. tour occasionally opening for the J. Geils Band. The tour stops at the Civic Auditorium in Sacramento (21st), the Winterland in San Francisco (22nd and 23rd), and Long Beach Arena (26th). The night of Long Beach, MCA holds a promotional party for the release of the Mad Dog album. Both Pete, in town to promote Tommy: The Movie, and Los Angeles-native Keith attend.
February 1977
New album releases: Rumours - Fleetwood Mac; "Hotel California" - The Eagles; "The Chain" - Fleetwood Mac; Love at The Greek - Neil Diamond
On the 11th, The Steve Gibbons Band LP Rollin' On is released in the U.K. on Roger's Goldhawke label. Pete is the engineer. A note thanks John Entwistle and David Langston.
February 1979
New music releases: Spirits Having Flown - The Bee Gees; "Tragedy" - The Bee Gees; "Forever in Blue Jeans" - Neil Diamond; Rickie Lee Jones - Rickie Lee Jones
On the 10th, The Fabulous Poodles' LP Mirror Stars hits the U.S. charts where it peaks at #61. Three songs, "Work Shy," "Mr. Mike," and "Cherchez La Femme," all feature bass by John.
February 1981
New music releases: Face Value - Phil Collins; Moving Pictures - Rush; Feels So Right - Alabama; "Jessie's Girl" - Rick Springfield
On the 27th, the first Who single recorded after Keith Moon's death, "You Better You Bet," is released in the U.K. The b-side is John's song "The Quiet One." It reaches #9 on the charts.
February 1982
New album releases: Mountain Music - Alabama; Always on My Mind - Willie Nelson; The Concert In Central Park - Simon & Garfunkel; "Edge of Seventeen" - Stevie Nicks
On Valentine's Day, having beaten back his addiction to alcohol and drugs, Pete checks himself out of Meg Patterson's clinic and returns to London. Shortly afterwards Pete meets with Roger, John and Kenney who are already preparing to record a new album, rehearsing twice a week at producer Glyn Johns' home and using Andy Fairweather-Low as a stand-in for their absent guitarist. Pete is impressed with how good they sound but admits he only has two songs ready (probably "Theresa" now called "Athena" and "Popular" re-written as "It's Hard"). Hesitant to write more after The Who's lukewarm reaction to his Face Dances demos, Pete tries to find a common topic in which his bandmates are interested to make the basis of a new batch of songs. Not surprisingly, they find they have little in common except for a vague concern about the Reagan administration's escalation of the nuclear arms race and Margaret Thatcher's promotion of it. Pete sets off to write a politically-themed album addressing nuclear conflict, decreased spending on social services and other topical concerns.
February 1983
New records: "Beat It" - Michael Jackson; Frontiers - Journey; War - U2; "Total Eclipse of the Heart" - Bonnie Tyler
"It's Hard" backed with "Dangerous" is the last 45rpm single of new Who material released in the U.S. It fails to chart.
February 1984
New music releases: Into The Gap - The Thompson Twins; Out of the Cellar - Ratt; "Hello" - Lionel Richie; "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" - Phil Collins
On the 4th, Music Week reports that Zak Starkey recently went to Midem in Cannes promoting an album of Eddie Hardin's musical adaptation of "The Wind and the Willows" which featured Zak as both co-producer and drummer. The album also reportedly had John Entwistle on bass. This album has not been released except as a later live recording in 1991 without John. This is the first known collaboration between Zak and a member of The Who.
February 1987
New music releases: Phantom of the Opera - Original London Cast; "It's Tricky" - Run-DMC; Jody Watley - Jody Watley; Move Closer - Various Artists
On the 8th, The John Entwistle Band performs at the Musikmesse, a huge trade show, in Frankfurt, Germany.
February 1989
New music releases: A New Flame - Simply Red; Indigo Girls - Indigo Girls; The Great Radio Controversy - Tesla; "Wind Beneath My Wings" - Bette Midler
In early-mid February, the local cable music program The John Hammond Show airs video of John Entwistle playing live with guitarist Joe Berger and Zak Starkey on drums. The video was shot in Frankfurt, Germany, probably during attendance at a Musikmesse trade show.
February 1994
New music releases: Dookie - Green Day; "Streets of Philadelphia" - Bruce Springsteen; Reality Bites (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Various Artists; Pronounced Jah-Nay - Zhané
On the 23rd and 24th, Pete, Roger and John are reunited, somewhat, at Carnegie Hall as part of Daltrey Sings Townshend: A Celebration, an all-star-assisted Roger performance of Pete's songs with an orchestra led by Michael Kamen. Although Roger and John perform together, Pete performs his two numbers, "And I Moved" and "Who Are You," without either of his former bandmates. The three do not appear together on stage until the finale, a performance of "Join Together," where Roger and all the guest stars group on stage.
February 1996
New music releases: The Score - The Fugees; All Eyez on Me - 2Pac; "Don't Look Back in Anger" - Oasis; "Always be My Baby" - Mariah Carey
The John Entwistle Band continue their "Left For Dead" tour of the U.S. performing at Club Bene in South Amboy, New Jersey (1st), The Bayou in Washington D.C. (2nd), A.J. Gator's in Baltimore (3rd) and Synergy in Chicago (9th). Joni's Butterfly opens the shows and performs John's "Made In Japan."
More John Entwistle band dates for the second half of the month: The Metropole in Pittsburgh (16th), Toy Tiger in Louisville, Kentucky (17th), The Cotton Club in Atlanta (18th), Rockefeller's in Houston (21st), Sneakers in San Antonio, Texas (22nd), Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma (24th), The Congress Club in Phoenix, Arizona (28th) and the Belly Up Tavern in San Diego, California (29th).
February 1997
New music releases: White on Blonde - Texas; "Semi-Charmed Life" - Third Eye Blind; Baduizm - Erykah Badu; Secret Samhadi - Live
On the 2nd, Pete holds a party at "LA 2" in London to celebrate the London staging of the musical Tommy getting 8 Olivier Award nominations. Pete plays a 75-minute set. John is also there but doesn't perform. Roger is then in Los Angeles working on the Showtime sitcom Rude Awakenings.
On the 14th, Glenn Tipton's CD Baptizm By Fire is released. John plays bass on the song "The Healer." Until a CD of the sessions is released in 2006, this is the only result of a planned group, Tipton, Entwistle and [Cozy] Powell.
February 1998
New music releases: Ray of Light - Madonna; International Velvet - Catatonia; The Wedding Singer - Various Artists; "This Kiss" - Faith Hill
On the 10th, The John Entwistle Band holds a record signing at Tower Records in Los Angeles. They sell a limited edition CD single of "When The Sun Comes Up" with vocal by Alan St. Jon intended for their forthcoming album Music From Van-Pires. Unfortunately rights issues over the music delay the album for over two more years by which time the song will have a new vocalist. They follow up the signing the next day with a performance at the House Of Blues in Los Angeles.
On the 13th and 14th, John has a reception at the Walnut Street Gallery in Fort Collins, Colorado where his drawings and paintings are on display.
February 2000
New music releases: The Better Life - 3 Doors Down; "Dancing in the Moonlight" - Toploader; "Pure Shores" - All Saints; Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants - Oasis
On the 17th, Roger does a live chat on AOL to promote BBC Sessions. He says he has written "four or five songs" for the "next two Who albums" and that The Who will be touring that summer. Pete also says in his cyberdiary that he is heading over to John's house for some "final Who overdubs."
On the 25th and 26th, Pete presents Lifehouse Live at the Sadler's Wells Theatre in London, the theatre whose management rejected a Tommy performance by The Who back in 1969. The show features John "Rabbit" Bundrick on keyboards and some other members from the 1989-era Who. Roger is not present as he is in Australia at the time but John is a member of the audience. He spends most of the show hanging out at the bar signing autographs.
February 2001
New music releases: Everyday - The Dave Matthews Band; "Ride wit Me" - Nelly; "New Slang" - The Shins; Brushfire Fairytales - Jack Johnson
On the 20th, John Entwistle accepts The Who's lifetime achievement Grammy at an un-televised ceremony the night before The Grammys broadcast. During the next night's show, The Who are represented by a video tribute. Attendees receive a four-track DVD preview of the upcoming Royal Albert Hall 2000 release.
February 2002
New music releases: Come Away With Me - Norah Jones; O - Damien Rice; The Essential Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash; "Anything Is Possible"/"Evergreen" - Will Young
On the 8th, The Who play a second night at the Royal Albert Hall for Teenage Cancer Trust. Pete is a trifle unsteady and at one point falls offstage. This show will be the last in John Entwistle's 37-year career with The Who.
On the 23rd, Gordon Giltrap releases a two-CD best-of called Collection featuring John on bass on "Who Knows Where Tomorrow Goes."
February 2003
New music releases: Get Rich or Die Tryin' - 50 Cent; "Can't Stop" - Red Hot Chili Peppers; "Seven Nation Army" - The White Stripes; The Definitive Collection - Lionel Richie
On the 1st, The Scotsman reports that John Entwistle's last steady companion Lisa Pritchett-Johnson has been told she must vacate John's home as the family plans to sell it.
On the 25th, a tribute CD to the late George Harrison, Songs From The Material World, is released with the Steve Luongo band Torque covering "Here Comes The Sun." Using an archival John bass performance, the track is credited to "John Entwistle."
February 2012
New music releases: "Starships" - Nicki Minaj; "Take Care" - Drake featuring Rihanna; Our Version of Events - Emeli Sandé; "It's Time" - Imagine Dragons
On the 10th, Dean Guitars introduces The John Entwistle Signature Spider bass guitar, complete with spider-web inlays and a strikingly unique angular design.
February 2021
New music releases: "Streets" - Doja Cat; "Up" - Cardi B; "Calling My Phone" - Lil Tjay featuring 6lack; The Highlights - The Weeknd
On the 4th, Pete and his wife Rachel Fuller announce plans for a revived version of their webcast In The Attic called In the Bunker. Their co-written song "Just Breathe" is planned as the theme song for the series. It is announced for later in 2021 but does not appear.
On the 6th, Phoebe Bridgers performs on Saturday Night Live with a backup band dressed in John Entwistle-style skeleton outfits. At the end, she attempts to smash her Danelectro guitar. This turns into a short-lived social media storm with people critical of her for smashing a musical instrument, then people critical of those people for sexism, etc., etc.
On the 11th, Record Collector puts out an all-Who issue with a focus on rare Who releases.
On the 15th, The Who announce that their long-delayed tour of the U.K. and Ireland, originally scheduled for April 2020, then March 2021, has been cancelled again due to Covid-19. The Teenage Cancer Trust concerts for 2021 are also cancelled.
Also on the 15th, Uncut magazine releases selections from their upcoming cover interview with Pete. Pete says he has been of late more interested in listening to new artists: "I find the music world at the moment just overwhelmingly, fantastically wonderful. I'm not even that interested in Rod Stewart's Christmas album, or even the Who album, to be honest... I’m kind of more interested in finding something amazing on Bandcamp. I’ve been going back to [Thundercat's It Is What It Is], which I just love. I think it's so absolutely incredible, kind of like Sgt. Pepper – so that's been an obsession."
On the 22nd, Halestrom releases a cover of "Long Live Rock".
On the 23rd, Noise11.com reports a story told to them by Alice Cooper about the making of the movie Sextette starring an 83-years-old Mae West as well as Cooper and Keith Moon. "We are all having lunch one day and I said 'guys, this is weird. I got done with the song and she whispered in my ear "why don’t you come on back to my trailer"'. Everybody said 'she came onto me too'. We all went around the table and it got to Keith Moon and we all looked at him and went 'no'. And he says 'well, how many chances do you get to be with Mae West?'"
On the 27th, Roger is in a Backstage Pass Zoom session with Q104.3-FM. He says he may not agree to another Who album even if Pete wants to do it: "Far too much money was spent making [the 2019 WHO album]. It went out of control completely and ended up costing me money. I can't go on doing that."
