The Who Perform ‘Who Are You’ On ‘Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’

Generally, when most musical acts appear on a late night television show they are given a three or four minute time slot to show off their latest single. The Who aren’t most musical acts. The Who made their triumphant return to U.S. late night television last night for the first time in nearly 50 years and turned in a full-length, seven-minute “Who Are You.”

Last night’s performance marked the first time The Who, as a full band, has been a guest on a late night talk show in the U.S. since their 1967 The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour performance. The British rockers trotted out the title track to their 1978 album, Who Are You on The Tonight Show. Last night’s appearance came a decade after a 2006 visit to the Late Show With David Letterman which saw Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend perform “A Man In A Purple Dress” off their Endless Wire LP.

The Who have opened the last seven stops of their The Who Hits 50! Tour with “Who Are You” after “I Can’t Explain” kicked off the first 30+ performances of the run. Founding members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey were joined for “Who Are You” by the touring band of Simon Townshend, Zak Starkey, Pino Palladino, Loren Gold, John Corey and Frank Simes. Host Jimmy Fallon appeared blown away by the performance and feigned fainting upon the conclusion of the song. Watch how it went down:

The Who Hits 50! Tour visits TD Garden in Boston on Monday night.