Pete Townshend, Day on the Green
October 9, 1976, Oakland Coliseum Stadium
Photography by Michael Zagaris

Prior to taking the stage before 50,000 people, photographer Michael Zagaris captures the Who’s principal songwriter in a private moment. Perhaps he sensed this would be their last US show with Keith Moon? This Day on the Green was one of a series of massive day festivals that Bill Graham presented for the Bay Area, and he always secured massive headliners, the Who being no exception. This snapshot of Pete Townshend is a rare moment of quiet before the band exploded onstage. Of this performance, Michael Zagaris says, “On this day they were incredibly dynamic.”

See more photography by Michael Zagaris