The Who paid tribute to one of its early career benefactors on Tuesday night in Detroit.
Before the performance of its Moving On! Tour at the city's Little Caesars Arena, the group used its video screen to offer an homage to the late Russ Gibb, the founder of the Grande Ballroom -- where the Who played several historic shows during the late 60s -- and who also happened to be the radio DJ who began spreading the rumor about Paul McCartney's supposed death back in 1969.
Gibb struck up a friendship with the band, and particularly guitarist Pete Townshend, through Tom Wright, the Grande manager who had been an art student in London and Townshend's roommate for a time. The Who played nine times at the Grande during 1968 and 1969, and it's May 9-11 stand of the latter year marked the first North American performances of the rock opera Tommy more than a week before its release on album.