Bruce Springsteen Plays 'My Generation' With the Who at Benefit Concert [WATCH]

The 11th annual MusiCares Map Fund Benefit Concert took place Thursday night at New York's Best Buy Theater with an evening dedicated to music of the Who, complete with performances by Joan Jett, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nile and Billy Idol.

Hosted by Colin Quinn, the concert honored Pete Townshend and the Who manager, Bill Curbishley, notes Rolling Stone. "I wouldn't be windmilling a Fender Telecaster if it weren't for Pete Townshend," Springsteen said as he delivered Townshend the Stevie Ray Vaughan award. He continued to recount a life-changing moment upon seeing the Who play their first American tour in Asbury Park in 1967. "Pete managed to take the dirty business of rock & roll and somehow make it spiritual and turn it into a quest...Pete, I'm here to say, thanks for not just Who's Next and Who Are You, but who I am."

Following Townshend's acceptance, Springsteen joined the Who for a performance of classic track "My Generation," a song that has found its way onto Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's setlists. Later in the night, Springsteen and the other performers came together for a rendition of "Won't Get Fooled Again." Both times, Springsteen left the singing to Townshend and Roger Daltrey as he manned the guitar.

Joan Jett performed a riveting version of "I Can't Explain" and "Summertime Blues" with the touring band, Willie Nile took on "Substitute," Billy Idol put a punk spin on "Who Are You," and "The Real Me," while Roger Daltrey honored Mose Allison with a performance of "Young Man's Blues," reports ABC News.

The Who will close their 50th anniversary tour at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens Saturday night before heading to Europe in June. The group will return to America for another leg of tour dates in September.

Tags
The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Joan Jett, Billy Idol, Stevie Ray Vaughan
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