A Rare Power Session: The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” with Leslie West and Al Kooper
Among the many legendary recordings associated with The Who, few are as intriguing and lesser known as the original New York City studio session of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” featuring Leslie West on second guitar and Al Kooper on keyboards. Captured live in the studio with no overdubs, this version stands as a raw and fascinating snapshot of rock history in the making, where towering personalities and unfiltered musicianship briefly intersected.
At the time of these NYC sessions, The Who were refining what would become one of the most powerful anthems of their career. “Won’t Get Fooled Again” was already taking shape as a statement piece, politically charged, rhythmically aggressive, and built on tension and release. What makes this early recording exceptional is the presence of Leslie West, best known as the explosive guitarist and vocalist of Mountain. His thick, blues driven tone adds a weight and grit that subtly reshapes the song’s character, giving it a heavier and more grounded feel than the version that would later define the band’s catalog.
Equally significant is Al Kooper’s contribution on keyboards. A veteran of landmark sessions with Bob Dylan, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and countless others, Kooper brings an organic and spontaneous energy to the recording. Unlike the iconic synthesizer part that would later become inseparable from “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” Kooper’s keyboard work here feels immediate and human, responding in real time to the band’s dynamics. The result is less futuristic, but deeply soulful and urgent.
What truly elevates this session is the fact that it was recorded live in the studio, with no overdubs. Every note, every push and pull, every moment of tension is captured as it happened. There is a sense of risk and openness that cannot be replicated in more polished studio environments. The musicians are listening, reacting, and shaping the song together in real time. This approach reveals “Won’t Get Fooled Again” not as a finished monument, but as a living, evolving piece of music.
For fans of The Who, this version offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain, into the developmental stage of a song that would later become iconic. For admirers of Leslie West, it highlights his ability to integrate seamlessly into another powerhouse band while still retaining his unmistakable voice on the guitar. For those who appreciate Al Kooper’s legacy, it serves as yet another reminder of his instinctive musical intelligence and adaptability.
This NYC recording may not have been the version that ultimately defined “Won’t Get Fooled Again” for the masses, but its historical and musical value is undeniable. It captures a moment when boundaries were fluid, egos were secondary to the music, and great artists came together simply to play. Decades later, it remains a compelling document of collaboration, experimentation, and the raw creative force that defined an era of rock music at its most fearless.