A “dream come true” for fans and artists can be heard in Noel Gallagher and The Who‘s collaboration.
The Oasis songwriter spent plenty of time in the 1990s and 2000s collaborating with his heroes, including Paul McCartney and Paul Weller. But a collaboration between Gallagher and The Who’s Roger Daltrey may seem like an unlikely crossover between the British bands. A performance of Won’t Get Fooled Again thrills viewers even now, with Gallagher joining the band at the Royal Albert Hall for a performance of the Who’s Next hit. The show, from 2000, would see a post-Be Here Now Gallagher join Daltrey and Pete Townshend for a rendition of the hit song. Gallagher looks giddy on stage with The Who, and has been praised by viewers of the performance for how he manages to hold up with the rock legends.
An upload of the performance to YouTube saw members of the public hail Gallagher for hanging with the best of rock and roll history. One person wrote: “Noel is concentrating like his life depends on it. What a dream come true this was for him.”
Another added: “The guitar Noel is using was actually originally Pete Townsend’s. Pete gave it to Johnny Marr, who gave it to Noel Gallagher. Fitting that Noel used it here.” A third added: “Noel is all of us on that stage. Like a kid in a big sweet shop. A bleeding big grin!”
Others believe it’s a rare moment where Gallagher seems “humbled” when playing on stage, with the usually confident playing style dropped during this performance. One fan wrote: “That’s the one and only time I’ve seen Noel Gallagher humbled and, in places, a little scared.
“Daltrey’s ability to scream just the same as he did in the 70s is, to my knowledge at least, unequalled as an original 60s rock star.” Praise for The Who was also featured, with the bass playing of John Entwistle highlighted by those who had watched the performance.
One wrote: “Entwistle had his own unique style (no other bass player even tried to copy his style), I agree, the best and miss him; may he rest in peace.” Another added: “Entwistle’s bass playing is outrageous.”
A third suggested Gallagher’s love for rock and roll bands of the 1960s and 70s is a major factor in his own strengths as a musician. A comment reads: “At the end of the day Noel loves the originators of rock n roll and he proudly pays homage to his heroes. And for that I respect him. Good on him for having the guts to take on the prestigious honour.”
Gallagher would go on to play with the likes of Johnny Marr and The Jam’s Paul Weller. He would also work with Paul McCartney on a War Child charity single. You can watch The Who and Gallagher perform Won’t Get Fooled Again below.
