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  • Rob Thomas is not bad at all, but having him perform right after THAT performance by Bettye LaVette was just plain mean...

  • Wow, Bettye Lavette just blew my mind. That was AMAZING.

  • by the way..who is Rob Thomas?

  • On the 7th day God created Bette Lavette!

  • Bettye LaVette was astonishing. I think Daltry was almost brought to tears. The look of admiration on his face said everything.

  • Is that Will Lee in the band?

  • All this covers are SHI%T - the face of Pete T, was suffering to hear this.

    dave & joss the worst, they ruined the clasics.

    OASIS the best cover of My Generation.

  • @imogenpao townsend had NOTHING but praise for bettye lavette's rendition of love reign o'er me. when asked what his favorite moment of the tribute was he said when lavette sang a "very fine" version of the song and barbra streissand turned to him and asked "you wrote that?"

  • @imogenpao Then go away and stop wasting our time.

  • quien le dijo a Grohl que eso es cantar??

  • the chick that sings generation wasn't good, but dave grohl sounded great.

  • Rob Thomas: "I have to follow THAT?"

  • If I'm not mistaken as Bettye was singing LROM, didn't Streisand lean over to Townshend and ask 'did you really write this?' I'll take Melancholia over Hello Dolly 8 days a week...

  • @tonyeye1 perhaps she was impressed with the soulful depth bette lavette exuded in her renditon. that song IS great. and passionately written.

  • i've watched this i don't know how many times and i always end it just after bettye cuz rob thomas just can't follow that act. but i'm glad i finally watched to the end. brilliant tribute and they're so moved by it.

  • They all seem SPELLBOUND as Bettye is CROONING!!!!!!!!!!!

  • I love Betty

  • very few people can perform songs better than the original. Roger and Pete are honored that there music like the beatles has influenced various different people for generations. Paul McCartney has called the who his favorite band. They have influenced artists from billy joel, james taylor, bruce springsteen, motorhead anthrax, pearl jam, kiss, cheap trick, quiet riot, black sabbath, judas priest, alice cooper and led zeppelin. Just those artists themselves shows the greatness of the who.

  • roger daltrey appeared in a barbara streisand video playing barbara's husband.

  • They were all brilliant, I love all of these artists, but Bettye LaVette just knocked my socks off!!

  • I don't think Roger and Pete were 'scared' or disgusting any performance. In fact, they maybe be honored and touched to watch the efforts of all those young people who could be their children playing and singing their songs, one generation after. They're proud and touched with all of them.

    Obviously they know no one can sing and play those songs like they did and do, just them, The Who.

    This conversation here is nonsense and ridiculous.

  • Now where the fuck is Chris Cornell singing We won't get fooled again?? Stupid Bush was offended probably and made the video vanish!!!

  • Sucks to be Rob Thomas after that performance.

  • this concert was solely for four legends. its a shame only two got to see it

  • I love how happy Townshend and Daltry look. Like they are enjoying themselves. Barbra looked bored the whole night.  Loosen up a bit.

  • Nice tribute, and oddly appropriate in a full circle kinda way that a young soul singer (Joss) and a highly underappreciated legend like Bettye were the bookends as early Who were hugely influenced by American Blues, R & B + Motown girl groups. Awesome!

  • The Who

    Rules!!

    :-)

  • What a great set. Of course the best performance was Betty Lavette. However, I felt compelled to mention Kenny Arnoff. He is such a great drummer and put a real Keith Moon feel into "Who are You" and "Teenage Wasteland."

  • holy crap i love the who and dave grohl!!!!!!

  • astounding performance by betty lavette

  • @bigjoetube Agreed. She is unbelievable. The emotion that pours out of her is incomparable (well, maybe Tina Turner is comparable). I've seen her perform before and she is a must see....

  • 0:43 - Rog looks disgusted.

  • @B1ggu5 He looks beautiful.

  • 0:43 - Rog looks disgusted.

  • @B1ggu5 Is that ted danson on bass from cheers.

  • Dave made me smile. And Rob does a good job too

  • vin diesel is keith moon lol

  • I loved Dave's version of Who are you. Had all of the anger and energy that Pete would have wanted.

  • Grohl sounds as good as Daltry ever did!

  • Joss needs to practice more before she becomes a real singer.

  • @untamedfirefly She already is a real singer, she has 4 albums out and has sold 11 million albums :).

    She has an amazing career and she can do so many more albums before it's over :).

    She will be a legend when it's over, she puts on amazing performances and has so much soul and such a great tone to her voice.

  • Not good done Joss

  • SHE'S NOT STUTTERING.

  • the vin diesel look a like drummer was awesome !!

    the Who are the best band of all time FTW.

  • Man, Joss Stone didn't do the stutter...I'm so disappointed.

  • Dave Grohl kicked some serious ass with his voice-- quite a tribute to Roger

  • @alabhaois Agreed. Dave loves the Who. You could make the assertion that the Who started Punk

  • What happened to the stutter??

  • Joss Stone weak? Women cannot sing the Who?

    I think a young girl singing My Generation is really cool. She got soul.

  • These performers weren't picked based on who inspired them most. The kennedy center Honors picks performers cross generationally. don't you think there is someone who could sing Streisand better than Beyonce? (no diss to beyonce, just making a point) They want known, likable performers. yes, Joss Stone was weak. but piss off with the" women shouldn't sing the who." townsend and daultry seemed to love it all

  • Joss Stone????

    Gimme a break.

  • if women can sing led zeppelin (see lez zeppelin don't be scared of the name i was at first) women can sing rock...just not joss stone...or rob thomas...lol

  • There are other better bands that are inspired by the who that could have played i.e. Flaming Lips, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, for god's sake Tenacious D could have played better, but Dave Grohl was awesome.

  • yesssssssssssssssssssssssssss omg tears in my eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • The Who's songs are not covered that often; and, there are few cross-genre attempts (unlike the Beatles for example). It must be so deeply satisfying for a songwriter, like Pete Townshend, to see one of his songs take off in a new and powerful way. I had tears in my eyes seeing how deeply moved Pete and Roger were.

  • Oh my gosh! The end totally caught me off guard! I'm in tears!

    The Who's performance for New York after 9-11 just seemed to take a weight off for all those amazing men and women. And to see them get a chance to "say thanks" is just amazing!

  • I think that Rob Thomas stole the show with the cops!

  • Where is Cornell, i have searched the internet and youtube and cannot find that performance

  • Comment removed

  • That ending still brings tears to my eyes. God Bless NYPD & FDNY!

  • where is chris cornell???

  • betty lavette sings the FUCK out of this song. it epitomizes the intense passion with which the song was written and originaly performed. you can clearly see how much daltry and townshend enjoyed it not to mention streisand.

  • In the late 70's, Pete Townshend wanted to write songs that would be acceptable to established singers such as Bette Midler. There was a song from "Empty Glass" ("And I Moved") he thought would be perfect for Midler, it never happend. For Pete to see Betty Lavette sing "Love Reign "O'ver Me" is what he's dreamed of for thirty years. Just watch his reaction.

  • @MsSpider26 She made me cry with her rendition, the Queen of Blues.

  • I think Bettye LaVette's version of Love Reign O're Me is so good. It's not the original and it has a different feel to the song but i still like it.

  • confused about what??

  • i love LOVE joss stone but that was not good.

  • Who said:

    "The Kinks were much more quintessentially English. I always think that Ray Davies should one day be Poet Laureate. He invented a new kind of poetry and a new kind of language for pop writing that influenced me from the very, very, very beginning."

    Pete Townshend!

  • I love Rog's face on :42 seconds...it like he's thinking 'what is this bull-shittery in front of me?'

  • I know, he looked horrified O_O I was too, but...

  • lets end this debate beatles and the stones great bands the who great live band led zep the def leppard of the 70`s

  • @chelseylizzie okay your confusing me??

  • Led Zep used to warm up for The Who ( I have those boots from the late '60's )...and it was Moonie & The Ox that actually gave Zep their name...The Who basically invented hard and punk rock....

    LONG LIVE ROCK!

    LONG LIVE THE WHO!

  • i understand ,zep are gODS

  • There are no gods...only GREAT FUCKING ROCK AND ROLL...I DIG EVERYTHING FROM ELVIS, JOHNNY CASH, THE KILLER, C.BERRY, MC5, SEX PISTOLS, THE CLASH, METALLICA, ETC,ETC, ETC AND BEYOND...INCLUDING THE HOLY BRITISH TRINITY OF THE BEATLES, THE WHO, & THE STONES....Zep only exists in your mind...They are no longer a viable touring factor since Plant chose that Allison broad over common sense...The Who will be releasing another album next year and tour behind it

    LONG LIVE ROCK!

    LONG LIVE THE WHO!

  • @ekimfloom exactly If was for the who Zepp would no name..

  • @ekimfloom Zepp will alway's warm up the WHO..Live the WHO are kings of rock.

    R.I.P JOHN,KIETH very well missed..

  • @ekimfloom well said, mate

  • @ekimfloom finally somebody understand that,Led was an amazing band,but the creators are the who

  • drummer looks like chris daughtry!

  • Man. Seeing the NY department at the end really put a smile on my face.

  • Bettye absolutely kills this... Pete looks to be in love lol

  • Joss stone has a good tone but her voice is too one dimension she sounds the same in every song she sings

  • It's funny, but people forget that at the NYC 2001 concert The Who stole the gig and Jagger and Richards didn't want to go out and follow them, just like The Who stole the show and blew the Stones off their own Rock N Roll Circus in '68.

    What makes The Who the greatest live band ever and so influential is the total commitment of heart and soul. It can't be faked (plus they are genuises lol). This Honors Show is a Nation giving that love back .

    God Bless America. God Bless The Who.

  • The Who were given the option of what point they wanted to appear at the Concert for NYC..they didn't want to open ( Bowie was awesome with his version of Heroes ) nor did they want to close since Macca was the host so they chose the middle...the band commented backstage during that performance about the subdued performances of all the artists so they just went onstage and do what they do as The Who. They didn't steal that show, they were the show!

  • Not really, please explain why they are better in your opinion. It's not all about talent, it's about being a great band. And btw beatles nor stones are miles away from the who when it comes to talent

  • Who said, "The Who are amazing and better than the Beatles"? Give up? Mr. John Lennon himself.

  • I admit I like The Who better than The Beatles. But why compare? They're both two great bands. And btw, did u see Roger Daltrey at 00:42. He looked scared.

  • i meant to give you a thumbs up not down sorry about that

  • Ok. Don't worry abouth that, I really don't care.

  • He was horrified at the slaughtering of My Generation.

  • When was this actually said?

  • Comment removed

  • I hate to tell you sactown18 but I have to take other people's opinion over yours regarding Bettye Lavette. David Groh at rehearsal said her performance was unreal and Pete Townsend was moved to tears and he wrote the song.

  • she just doesnt have the right voice for the song, and she sang it horribly compared to roger singing it

  • Dave Grohl does a decent Daltry.

  • That tribute was outstanding! Bettye LaVette was UNBELIEVABLE--Pete seemed quite moved by her performance.

  • Nice skirt.  Roger does look kinda pissed off.

  • i think bettye lavette did an amazing job :)

  • That was awesome!

  • where is chris cornell?

  • His ego couldn't fit onstage.

  • what ego? he just likes to go out and play

  • Some bands played songs, yet others speak the words of a generation. These songs by The Who are not just pieces of music.they are anthems.

  • 0:42... rogers not amused. lol

  • Who's the guy on guitar while Bettye is singing?

  • I can't fucking beleive that the dumb bitch Babs asked Pete if he really wrote that song ( LROM ) !

  • joss is amazing

  • Joss Stone has "un-special" written all over her....

  • Shes murdering the song.

  • She has a great future in Karaoke for the tone deaf...

  • Dave Roger and Pete Stole the show

  • did i miss chris cornell? i dont think i saw him...

  • Too bad John Entwistle wasn't there to be honored. Miss Ya OX!!!!

  • I love rob thomas. screw the haters. i think he's a genius.

  • I can't understand why some people didn't like his performance. i thought Rob did very well.

  • i know!!!!! what the hell!!! he was great!

  • It was a complete and respectful and loving payback by New Yorks Bravest and Finest for the ABSOLUTE KICK ASS LETS ROCK AND ROLL FOR 30 MINUTES at the Concert for NYC. There was reason why The Who didn't want to open or close...they thought they'd be lost in the middle...Buit they tore it up and the BOR tribute alone is more than worthy. They are THE GREATEST ROCK AND ROLL BAND EVER!

    PERIOD!

    END OF DISCUSSION!

    Nice tribute as well...

  • Johnny Cougar's drummer done good!

  • Great batch of performers!

  • Betty LaVette gave the performance of the evening.............and it was a great evening of performances. I love the Kennedy Center Honors.

  • Absolutely! And when Barbara Streisand say "Fantastic!" to Pete Townsend? Priceless moment. Goose pimples galore. I'm a new, total fan, Ms LaVette. Almost sorry for Rob Thomas who had to follow her. In a day and age when American Idol is thought of as "good" (please--it's karaoke) and when posturing, compressed- & effects-voiced chicks-on-sticks seem to rule the charts, THIS is what REAL SINGING, from your guts and your soul, is all about people!!! Thanks so much for posting. 5*s and Faved.

  • I'm sorry, but I still get goose pimples when Mrs. LaVette sings, I just adore her old blues version of, in my opinion, Pete Townshend's beautiful song.

  • OHHHH my goodness you're so right...I thought this was STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love her voice!!!!

  • to odonnelljosh-I apologize I thought Dave Grohl was a drummer, my bad

  • thats ok. He was a drummer with Nirvana, then when he formed the Foo Fighters he changed to guitar.

  • Dave Grohl did a great job.

    They should have got Green Day to do My Generation, they do a great cover of it.

  • thats not Dave Grohl, thats Kenny Aronoff on drums

  • what, have you heard the way Roger sang it, or is this the first time you've ever heard it? I think if the one who composed it was moved beyone ihmself, we should follow his lead

  • Bettye LaVette came on stage like a real „Grande Dame and she sung it the best! Joss Stone was looking like an typical over emancipated LA leisure time hooker wearing almost nothing. So anybody could have the impression of whats behind black eyes.

  • I'm a lifelong Who fan; the tepid mirror cover of "Love Reign O'r Me" & the version of "Behind Blue Eyes" puked up by Fred Durst made me cry; Bettye LaVette & Joss Stone bring back the "maximum" in the Who's original slogan "Maximum R & B" while Dave Grohl's energetic take on "Won't Get Fooled Again" are a joy to hear! Rob Thomas' spin on "Baba O'Riley" is perfunctory, but doesn't inspire. Those here who bemoan "butchery" don't understand the Who's R & B origins nor understand "interpretation"

  • Where th hell is the chris cornell bit? thtas why I watched this darn video...

  • What's the name of the guitar player?

  • well lets be fair She can sing, but now at least She is singing Her first decent song.

  • at least dave grohl actually sounds like the who....women cannot sing the who. rob thomas is a weirdo

  • Fuck Joss Stone. She is pathetic.

  • at :42, Roger does not look the least impressed

  • absolutely amazing

  • that drummer was the bomb!

  • Rob kicked ass!

  • Josh reminds me of Janis. Just my opinion folks. lol

  • you mean joss..

  • I hope you mean Janis Ian!! lol

  • Im so happy to see Pete really enjoying this! Hes been like a great big "kid" lately.

    Evertime i see him he's got such a childish grin. I am so happy hes enjoying his "golden years" so much! God bless you Pete! You have given me so much joy.God knows my life would not be the same with out THE WHO!