Seventy-one unreleased tracks from Keith Moon’s final recording sessions just surfaced in The Who’s most comprehensive archival dig yet. The legendary drummer’s last creative gasps, preserved in studio outtakes and alternate mixes, anchor a Super Deluxe Edition of Who Are You arriving October 31st—perfectly timed with the band’s farewell North American tour.
Multiple Formats Target Every Type of Collector
The flagship 7-CD/1-Blu-ray box set leads an assault on your shelf space, joined by a 4xLP vinyl edition and various limited pressings. Steven Wilson’s Dolby Atmos and stereo remixes bring Moon’s thunderous kit into your living room with surgical precision, while that scrapped Glyn Johns mix finally sees daylight after 47 years in the vault.
This isn’t just remastering—it’s archaeological reconstruction. The extensive collection includes:
- Previously unreleased sessions
- Demos
- Alternate mixes
- Rehearsals that provide unprecedented insight into the creative process behind Moon’s final album
Live Recordings Capture Post-Moon Transition
The real treasures hide in those 1979 U.S. tour recordings, documenting The Who’s first performances with Kenney Jones behind the kit and John “Rabbit” Bundrick on keys. Raw Shepperton Studio rehearsals from 1977-78 reveal the band grappling with their new reality, while Kids Are Alright documentary sessions provide intimate glimpses of their creative process.
A 100-page book stuffed with archival photos and liner notes completes the obsessive-completist experience. These materials offer context for understanding how The Who adapted to one of rock’s most challenging transitions.
Archival Gold Rush Meets Modern Audio Standards
This release exemplifies the current reissue gold rush, where legacy acts mine their vaults like cryptocurrency farms. The original Who Are You went double platinum and peaked at No. 2 on Billboard—commercial validation that makes such lavish treatment financially sensible.
Wilson’s immersive audio work transforms Moon’s final recorded moments into something your streaming setup can actually showcase, bridging the gap between historical preservation and contemporary listening habits. For collectors already drowning in deluxe editions, this one justifies the investment.
Moon’s irreplaceable energy, captured in previously unheard form, makes the Who Are You box set essential rather than excessive. Sometimes the vault actually contains treasure worth excavating—tragic reminders of stars who paid the ultimate price for their art.
