The Who “Magic Bus: The Who On Tour”
The Who “Magic Bus: The Who On Tour” 1968. Today, May 19th, is Pete Townshend’s 75th birthday (b. 1945). Magic Bus: The Who On Tour is a US-only comp and, despite the title’s suggestion, is composed completely of studio tracks. Even though Townshend – and the rest of the band – disliked the record and its cover (which I think is amazing), the LP went to #39 in the US: Decca Records wanted to cash in on The Who’s hit single “Magic Bus” (#25 US, #26 UK) by releasing it on a full-length album. Also on the comp are the B-sides from the UK and US single release of “Magic Bus” – “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” and “Someone’s Coming” respectively; “Disguises” and “Bucket T.” from the 1966 EP Ready Steady Who; “Run Run Run” from the 1966 LP A Quick One; “I Can’t Reach You” and “Our Love Was, Is” from the 1967 LP The Who Sells Out, the 1967 single “Pictures of Lily” and its B-side “Doctor, Doctor;” and “Call Me Lightning” which was released as a single in the US in 1968, hitting #40. It appeared as the B-side in the UK to their single “Dogs.” (Fun tidbit: the Milwaukee band Call Me Lightning is named after The Who song – but very possibly is named for Joan Jett’s version of “Call Me Lightning” rather than The Who’s.)
Daily (maybe) pulls from the vault: 33-1/3, 45, 78, old, older, classic, new, good, bad. Subjective. Autobiographical. Occasionally putting a record up for sale.