Throwback Thursday | Phish Out Of Their Brain On The 515

On October 31, 1995 Phish covered The Who’s 1973 rock opera Quadrophenia as the second set of their three-set Halloween show at the Rosemont Horizon near Chicago. One of our favorite moments from the Quadrophenia set was the Vermonters’ horn-driven take on “5:15” and since today is May 15th, we figured it’s a perfect time to look back at the dynamic cover.

Not only does the horn section of Dave Grippo on alto saxophone, Don Glasgo on trombone, Joey Sommerville on trumpet and Alan Parshley on French horn do a superb job with “5:15,” but Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio laid down one of his most frenetic and impressive straight-on solos during the band’s lone take on the classic Who tune. Considering how well Phish did with “5:15,” it’s a little surprising the quartet never played the song again, though it just wouldn’t be the same without the horns.

The Who released “5:15” as a single in 1973 and it shot up to #20 on the U.K. charts. “5:15” focuses on the Quadrophenia main character of Jimmy’s train ride to Brighton and includes the self-referential nod of “M-m-my generation” to The Who’s breakthrough 1965 hit.

Take a listen to Phish’s cover of “5:15”:

Watch footage of Trey’s “5:15” solo that was displayed on the screens at Festival 8 as part of the From The Archives showcase: