Russell Harty, a yesteryear cross between Dale Winton and Tony Wilson, is struggling.  He’s attempting to interview The Who. Unfortunately for him, the band are in irreverent mood.  They’re playing up to the cameras, none more so than legendary drummer Keith Moon. As Harty increasingly desperately encourages band mates Daltrey, Entwhistle and Townshend to open up, Moon starts to reveal rather more than his host wants, by performing an impromptu strip.

The Kids Are Alright is the story of The Who.  Tracing their journey from mods to rockers, it chronicles revolutions in clothing, hair and music. THAK is also a riposte to historical revisionism.  For some reason, people seem to think The Beatles were the only British band to crack America. Show-stealing clips from US chat shows hosted by the likes of Jimmy O’Neil prove that Pete and the boys conquered the States too.

There’s very funny, inebriated shots of conversation between the mad-for-it Moon and fellow sticksman Ringo Starr in the former’s Malibu home, so hilarious in fact it’s almost as if they’ve metamorphosed into comedy duo Dudley Moore and Peter Cook.

Elsewhere, Moon dresses up in a gimp mask and eggs on a dominatrix to whip him.  It’s scripted, but it’s a sketch that clearly has some basis in reality.

Director Jeff Stein must be congratulated on capturing The Who in full flow.  There’s Townshend with his trademark windmill guitar playing, but what playing – Hendrix-esque at times.  Then there’s Moon with his Animal-like drumming. And powerhouse vocalist Daltrey can sing, with the exception of a poor cover of ‘Shout and Shimmy’.

The smashing-up of equipment continues to amuse, but it threatens to overshadow the band’s credentials.  Songs of the calibre of ‘Pinball Wizard’, ‘Substitute’ and ‘I Can’t Explain’ serve as a reminder of The Who’s legacy. Daltrey believes American Stein has produced a rockumentary documenting "English heritage" The greatest rock and rock band of all time?  Maybe, but definitely the best of their generation.
(5/5)

Release Date: 26 April 2004

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The Kids Are Alright