Waspman
| "Waspman" | |
|---|---|
 "Waspman" cover | |
| Song by The Who | |
| Released |
16 June 1972 (United States) 23 December 1972 (United Kingdom) |
| Format | 7" single B- Side/Flip Side |
| Recorded | 26 May 1972 at Olympic Studios, London[1] |
| Genre | Rock |
| Length | 3:09 |
| Label | Track Records/MCA |
| Writer | Keith Moon |
| Producer |
The Who Glyn Johns |
"Waspman" is an instrumental by The Who which is credited to their drummer Keith Moon. The song is the B- side to The Who's single "Relay" written by Pete Townshend (entitled "The Relay" in the United States) for their aborted Lifehouse Project, and was the last of three singles relating to the aborted Lifehouse Project, with the others being "Let's See Action" and "Join Together". It was also the last non-album single by The Who until "Real Good Looking Boy", thirty-two years later.
The song is supposedly a tribute to Link Wray, who became famous for his 1958 instrumental hit "Rumble" by Link Wray and his Ray Men. He introduced "the power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarists" such as Pete Townshend of The Who.[2]
It was thought that John Entwistle had written the song, and gave the credit to Moon, as all members of The Who were supposed to write at least two B-sides. Although Roger Daltrey only wrote one, "Here for More", the B-side for "The Seeker" in 1970.
The Who only performed the song live once (June 10, 1974 at New York's Madison Square Garden). The Who - My Generation/Waspman - New York 1974 (17, 18)
Origin and meaning of the song
The origins of this "Waspman" comes from a late-1960s incident aboard one of The Who's many horrible plane flights.
During some white-knuckle turbulence, Moon and a groupie escaped to the bathroom. Shortly after, Moon burst forth with the groupie's bra wrapped over his head and announced, "I'll save you! I'm Wasp Man!" In addition to writing this song, Keith Moon also bought a wasp costume and wore it whenever the mood struck him.[3]
References
- ↑ "The Hypertext Who " Liner Notes " Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy". Thewho.net.
- ↑ Cub Koda & Steve Leggett (2008). "Link Wray" Biography, AllMusic.
- ↑ "The Hypertext Who › Liner Notes › Who's Left - Studio". Thewho.net. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
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External links
- The Who.com official site
- The Who biography from Rolling Stone
- Waspman at AllMusic
- 17 Dec 1979 concert outside Washington, DC
- Waspman interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1970)
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