It was 44 years ago today (August 18th, 1978) that the Who released their eighth album, and final studio set with Keith Moon, Who Are You. The album, which had been recorded between October 1977 and April of '78, showcased the Who at a crossroads with the band entering the studio after a long year off the road while pursuing solo projects. 1977 saw the release of Roger Daltrey's third solo album, One Of The Boys, as well as Pete Townshend's second solo outing — Rough Mix — a collaboration with Ronnie Lane of the Faces.
The sessions, which featured the band once again recreating Townshend's professional home demos, were at a severe disadvantage due to Keith Moon's declining state from years of drug and alcohol abuse. His inability to reach his previous dizzying heights resulted in their being no drum track for the tune “Music Must Change” because Moon was simply unable to execute the song's 6/8 time signature. During vocals sessions with producer Glyn Johns — who had been behind the board of such Who classics as 1971's Who's Next and 1975's The Who By Numbers — Daltrey punched Johns, who quit the project and was replaced by his assistant — and Townshend's then-brother-in-law — Jon Astley, who was left to complete the album with the band.
Who Are You features some of John Entwistle's most beloved Who tracks, including the slightly risque “Trick Of The Light,” the sci-fi based “905,” and the Daltrey-sung “Had Enough.”