Royal Mail has revealed details of 12 stamps which feature images of some of The Who’s most popular album covers and group shots from some of their live performances.
The album covers are “My Generation” from 1965 designed by David Wedgbury; “Tommy” from 1969 designed by Michael McInnerney; “Who’s Next” from 1971 designed by Ethan Russell and Kosh; “Quadrophenia” from 1973 designed by Graham Hughes; “Who Are You” from 1978 designed by Terry O’Neill and Bill Smith; “Face Dances” from 1981 designed by Sir Peter Blake; “Endless Wire” from 2006 designed by Richard Evans; and “WHO” from 2019 designed by Sir Peter Blake.
A miniatures sheet features two group publicity shots and two images of the band’s live performances at the Marquee Club in London in 1967 and the Kings Hall in Belle Vue, Manchester, in 1973.
Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon formed The Who in 1964 (before that they were The Detours and, for a short while The High Numbers); within five years, they went from performing club shows to headlining the Woodstock festival in the US and becoming the biggest box-office draw in the world.
“The artwork on the album sleeves was almost as important to the success of the record as the music,” recalls Daltrey. “It’s great to be reminded of them.”
“Stamp! Stamp! Stamp! It’s what I’ve done on stage all my life, sometimes in the air,” adds Townshend. “At last my stamping, and that of my buddy Roger, has been honoured properly, and will help letters, parcels and birthday cards travel through time and space, just as we have.”
“With their truly original sound and effortless ability to mix musical styles, The Who are rock royalty,” says David Gold, Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy. These stamps celebrate one of the UK’s much-loved and revered musical bands who have achieved global popularity for six decades.”
The new Royal Mail special edition stamps celebrating 60 Years of The Who are available now for pre-order and will be available to purchase on Thursday, October 17 from the Royal Mail website.
Pick up “The Who Hits 50” package here.
See also:
Roger Daltrey announces semi-acoustic tour dates
The Who preview expanded edition of Who’s Next and Life House
The Who to release expanded edition of Who’s Next and Life House
The Who stream Live At Wembley with Orchestra album
Search The Who at hennemusic
