Work Text
During the early days of the Who, David Jones (later known as Bowie) is brought on as a rhythm guitarist. The other members like him, with the exception of Roger Daltrey, who leaves, resulting in lead vocal duties being split between Bowie and Pete Townshend. As for what happens to Daltrey... I don't know, he either dies in obscurity or ends up as the singer of Led Zeppelin or something. If not for the fact that I'm not really that much of a Led Zeppelin fan, I might detail that possibility; I've already thought up a timeline where George Harrison leaves the Beatles in 1966 and joins Zeppelin as well as one where John Entwistle and Keith Moon join instead of John Paul Jones and John Bonham so I probably could do it, but then there's the problem of who would write the lyrics. Neither Daltrey nor Jimmy Page are particularly known for their talent as lyricists, and if they already have a lead vocalist, there's no reason to bring in Robert Plant, so unless you want to say they have him as a non-performing lyricist, which I don't really think is likely, you couldn't use the vast majority of Zeppelin's music, or at least you'd have to pretend it's completely different.Anyway.With a lineup of Bowie, Townshend, Entwistle, and Moon, the Who release their first album.Also sidenote, I'm only going to be detailing non-album singles or singles that have non-album b-sides. There would certainly be singles I haven't listed.My Generation (1965)1. Out In The Street2. Take My Tip3. The Good's Gone4. La-La-La-Lies5. Much Too Much6. My Generation7. The Kids Are Alright8. Baby Loves That Way9. It's Not True10. I'm A Man11. A Legal Matter12. The OxSingles from this era:Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere b/w You've Got A Habit Of LeavingMy Generation b/w Shout And ShimmyAnyway, Anyhow, Anywhere is credited to Townshend-Bowie given that Daltrey isn't in the band. A Quick One (1966)1. Run Run Run2. Boris The Spider3. I Need You4. Whiskey Man5. Can't Help Thinking About Me6. Cobwebs And Strange7. Rubber Band8. I Dig Everything9. So Sad About Us10. A Quick One, While He's AwaySingles from this era:Substitute b/w I'm Not Losing SleepThe Kids Are Alright b/w Do Anything You SayI'm A Boy b/w In The CityHappy Jack b/w Please Mr. Gravedigger Who's Lily (1967)1. Armenia City In The Sky2. Sell Me A Coat3. Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand4. Tattoo5. Love You Till Tuesday6. I Can See For Miles7. I Can't Reach You8. Doctor, Doctor9. Silly Boy Blue10. Silas Stingy11. There Is A Happy Land12. RaelSingles from this era:Pictures Of Lily b/w Come And Buy My ToysThe Last Time b/w Under My ThumbI Can See For Miles b/w Someone's ComingThe Laughing Gnome b/w Dr. Jekyll And Mr. HydeDogs b/w Call Me LightningMagic Bus b/w Join The Gang While Pete Townshend is working on what he believed at the time would be his magnum opus, David Bowie shows him some songs he had written. Deciding that they could fit into his project if its concept is reworked slightly, the two get to work writing the Who's next album... Major Tommy (1969)1. Space Oddity2. It's A Boy/21213. Amazing Journey4. Sparks5. Christmas6. Eyesight To The Blind7. The Acid Queen8. Cousin Kevin9. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud10. Do You Think It's Alright?11. Fiddle About12. Pinball Wizard13. There's A Doctor14. Go To The Mirror!15. Tommy Can You Hear Me?16. Smash The Mirror17. Sensation18. I'm Free19. Memory Of A Free Festival20. Cygnet CommitteeSingles from this era:Pinball Wizard b/w Dogs, Pt. 2The Seeker b/w Heaven And HellBowie's songs on this album, particularly "Space Oddity," lead him to be considered an artistic equal to Townshend. Lifehouse (1971)1. Oh! You Pretty Things2. Going Mobile3. Baba O'Riley4. Changes5. My Wife6. Bargain7. Life On Mars?8. Too Much Of Anything9. All The Madmen10. My Size11. The Man Who Sold The World12. Behind Blue Eyes13. Quicksand14. Pure And Easy15. Getting In Tune16. The Supermen17. Won't Get Fooled Again18. The Song Is OverSingles from this era:Won't Get Fooled Again b/w Black Country RockLet's See Action b/w Queen BitchChanges b/w Time Is PassingThe Width Of A Circle b/w No. 29 (Eternal Youth) Emboldened by the reception of his songs on the Who's previous two albums, Bowie begins outlining a rock opera of his own, as opposed to the previous two, which were mostly conceptualized by Townshend. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (1972)1. Five Years2. Is It In My Head?3. Moonage Daydream4. When I Was A Boy5. Hang On To Yourself6. Ziggy Stardust7. Love Ain't For Keeping8. I Feel Better9. Starman10. Love, Reign O'er Me11. Soul Love12. I Don't Even Know Myself13. Lady Stardust14. Relay15. Put The Money Down16. Join Together17. Star18. Long Live Rock19. Apron Strings20. Suffragette City21. Rock 'N' Roll SuicideSingles from this era:Starman b/w WaspmanJoin Together b/w Holy HolyJohn, I'm Only Dancing b/w I WonderApron Strings b/w Velvet Goldmine With the band a bit weary of having done three double album rock operas in a row, they decide to scale back the high concepts and lengthy releases for the time being. Aladdin Sane (1973)1. Watch That Man2. The Real Me3. Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?)4. Cut My Hair5. Thinkin' It Over6. Cracked Actor7. The Prettiest Star8. Drowned9. The Jean Genie10. I'm One11. Nightmare (Please Wake Me Up)Singles from this era:Drive-In Saturday b/w WaterTime b/w I Was Just Being FriendlyThe Real Me b/w Lady Grinning Soul Diamond Dogs (1974)1. Future Legend/Diamond Dogs2. The Punk And The Godfather3. The Dirty Jobs4. Rebel Rebel5. Bell Boy6. 5:157. Rock 'N' Roll With Me8. Made In Japan9. 198410. Big Brother11. I've Had EnoughSingles from this era:Diamond Dogs b/w Peg Leg Peggy5:15 b/w Postcard Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant dies in a car accident in 1975 after the release of Physical Graffiti. As a result of this, Zeppelin breaks up. John Bonham, already friends with Keith Moon, begins spending more time around the Who, sometimes filling in for Moon when he is unable to play. The Who By Numbers (1975)1. Young Americans2. Slip Kid3. Fascination4. Squeeze Box5. Right6. Success Story7. However Much I Booze8. Cell Number 79. Fame10. How Many FriendsThere are no non-album singles or b-sides for either this album or the next. Station To Station (1976)1. Station To Station2. Dreaming From The Waist3. Imagine A Man4. Golden Years5. I'm So Scared6. TVC 157. Stay8. Blue Red And Grey Despite Straight Lines (1977)1. My Baby Gives It Away2. Sound And Vision3. Keep Me Turning4. Always Crashing In The Same Car5. Drowning6. Speed Of Life7. Misunderstood8. Warszawa9. Good Days Coming10. Heart To Hang OntoSingles from this era:Be My Wife b/w Street In The City Who Are You (1978)1. Beauty And The Beast2. Had Enough3. 9054. Sister Disco5. "Heroes"6. Trick Of The Light7. Guitar And Pen8. Blackout9. Who Are YouSingles from this era:"Heroes" b/w Music Must ChangeNew Song b/w Love Is A Heart Attack Keith Moon dies at the same time as OTL. Due to his prior experience playing with the band, Bonham is brought on as Moon's replacement. Lodger (1980)1. Rough Boys2. Fantastic Voyage3. Sleeping Man4. Let My Love Open The Door5. Jools And Jim6. D.J.7. Look Back In Anger8. A Little Is Enough9. Boys Keep Swinging10. Fallen Angel11. Empty GlassSingles from this era:Let My Love Open The Door b/w Alabama SongCrystal Japan b/w And I Moved Face Dances (1981)1. You Better You Bet2. Don't Let Go The Coat3. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)4. The Quiet One5. Too Late The Hero6. Ashes To Ashes7. Fashion8. You9. Another Tricky DaySingles from this era:Dance It Away b/w I Like Nightmares All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes (1982)1. Athena2. It's Your Turn3. It's No Game4. The Sea Refuses No River5. Dangerous6. Uniforms (Corps d'Esprit)7. Stardom In Action8. Up The Hill Backwards9. One At A Time10. Teenage Wildlife11. Scream Like A Baby12. Slit SkirtsSingles from this era:Up The Hill Backwards b/w Face Dances, Pt. 2Under Pressure b/w Soul Brother (With Queen) Siege (1983)1. Modern Love2. It's Hard3. Let's Dance4. Try Me5. Eminence Front6. Talk Dirty7. I've Known No War8. Cat People (Putting Out Fire)9. Somebody Saved Me10. Without You White City (1985)1. Give Blood2. Loving The Alien3. Face The Face4. Love Doesn't Last5. Crashing By Design6. Blue Jean7. Bridges Under The Water8. After The Fire9. Tumble And Twirl10. Dancing With The Big BoysSingles from this era:Dancing In The Street b/w Brilliant Blues (With Mick Jagger)Life To Life b/w Secondhand Love Iron Machine (1989)1. Heaven's In Here2. I Won't Run Anymore3. I Can't Read4. Life After Love5. Dig6. Under The God7. A Friend Is A Friend8. Amazing9. I Eat Heavy Metal10. Fire11. All Shall Be Well12. Last SongSingles From This Era:I Can't Read b/w Was There Life Psychoderelict (1993)1. English Boy2. Black Tie White Noise3. Let's Get Pretentious4. Jump They Say5. Bogeyman6. Outlive The Dinosaur7. Pallas Athena8. Now And Then9. Miracle Goodnight10. I Am Afraid11. You've Been Around12. Back On The Road Earthling (1997)1. Little Wonder2. Flying Boy3. Horror Rock4. Squirm Squirm5. Dead Man Walking6. Uneasy Street7. Telling Lies8. Darker Side Of Night9. I Believe My Own Eyes10. I'm Afraid Of Americans11. No Message In A Broken Heart Endless Reality (2004)1. New Killer Star2. A Man In A Purple Dress3. Never Get Old4. Mike Post Theme5. Where Ya Going Now6. The Loneliest Guy7. Real Good Looking Boy8. It's Not Enough9. Sound Round10. Fall Dog Bombs The Moon11. Pick Up The Peace12. Life Goes On13. Mirror Door14. Bring Me The Disco King15. Tea And TheatreSingles from this era:Old Red WineBe LuckyJohn Entwistle dies of a heart attack in 2005. Even if he didn't die in 2002, he probably would have died soon after that. His health was terrible, and he seemed to have little to no interest in trying to eat right or change his ways at all. He is replaced in the band by Pino Palladino.Meanwhile, Bowie manages to survive his liver cancer to live a few more years. Blackstar (2019)1. All This Music Must Fade2. Blackstar3. Ball And Chain4. 'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore5. I Don't Wanna Get Wise6. Lazarus7. Hero Ground Zero8. Rockin' In Rage9. I Can't Give Everything Away
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Whistle Rymes (1972)1. Ten Little Friends2. Pick Me Up (Big Chicken)3. What Are We Doing Here?4. What Kind Of People Are They?5. Who Cares?6. Ted End7. The Haunted Can Be Free8. You're Mine9. World Behind My Face10. I Believe In EverythingMad Dog (1975)1. I Fall To Pieces2. Gimme That Rock 'N' Roll3. Do The Dangle4. Lady Killer5. Who In The Hell?6. Mad Dog7. All Dressed Up8. Roller Skate Kate9. Big Black CadillacIn OTL, Mad Dog is flat out terrible, and in this timeline, it's even worse now that all of its decent songs have been replaced. The title track might have been at least tolerable if Entwistle actually did lead vocals on it, and to me, Roller Skate Kate varies from good to not total shit depending on how I'm feeling that day, so it's not like all of the album is unlistenable garbage.If you combined Rigor Mortis Sets In and Mad Dog together, you might get something decent, maybe even on the level of Whistle Rymes if I'm feeling generous.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
David Bowie (1969)1. Uncle Arthur2. Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed3. Don't Sit Down4. Letter To Hermione5. We Are Hungry Men6. When I Live My Dream7. Little Bombardier8. Janine9. An Occasional Dream10. She's Got Medals11. God Knows I'm Good12. Maid Of Bond StreetHunky Dory (1971)1. Fill Your Heart2. Saviour Machine3. Eight Line Poem4. Kooks5. After All6. Running Gun Blues7. Andy Warhol8. Song For Bob Dylan9. The Bewlay BrothersPin Ups (1973)1. Rosalyn2. Here Comes The Night3. I Wish You Would4. See Emily Play5. Everything's Alright6. Across The Universe7. Friday On My Mind8. Sorrow9. Don't Bring Me Down10. Shapes Of Things11. Let's Spend The Night Together12. Where Have All The Good Times GoneSweet Thing (1975)1. We Are The Dead2. Sweet Thing3. Win4. Candidate5. Chant Of The Ever Circling Skeleton Family6. Somebody Up There Likes Me7. Panic In Detroit8. Can You Hear Me?9. Sweet Thing (Reprise)Low (1979)1. Speed Of Life2. Breaking Glass3. What In The World4. Joe The Lion5. Sons Of The Silent Age6. Yassassin7. A New Career In A New Town8. V-2 Schneider9. Art Decade10. Moss Garden11. Neukoln12. The Secret Life Of Arabia13. African Night Flight14. Move On15. Weeping Wall16. Red Sails17. Sense Of Doubt18. Subterraneans19. Repetition20. Red MoneyJust a random thing I hadn't considered before, you think David Bowie would still call himself Bowie instead of Jones? In this timeline, he'd get famous before the Monkees did; he wouldn't really have a reason to adopt a pseudonym.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
I've been thinking.About a lot of things, really. Anxiety tends to make you do that. But one of those things is relevant to Ground Control To Major Tommy: Roger Daltrey.I mentioned him before, saying he'd probably end up dying in obscurity, but I've reconsidered. Now I'm thinking he'd end up joining Led Zeppelin; not as lead vocalist, but rather as rhythm guitarist. Apparently, he's at least decent at that, and a decent songwriter too, if "Here For More" is any indication. A real shame he never ended up writing more songs for the Who in OTL.Ah well, that's what alternate history is for.And as the band matures, perhaps Plant lets him sing lead on a song or two? It'd be a real shame to waste Daltrey's magnificent voice.But then Plant dies in '75, and Zeppelin breaks up. What now? I don't know.Maybe he and Page form a new band together? Maybe he becomes a solo artist? Or maybe he ends up joining the Rolling Stones once they kick Brian out? If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Hey, it's me again. I decided to go with the Daltrey in Zeppelin idea. Here's the discography for Timeline 40's Led Zeppelin.Led Zeppelin (1969)1. Good Times Bad Times2. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You3. Heat Wave4. Dazed And Confused5. Your Time Is Gonna Come6. Black Mountain Side7. Communication Breakdown8. See My Way9. How Many More TimesWhole Lotta Love (1969)1. Whole Lotta Love2. What Is And What Never Should Be3. The Lemon Song4. Thank You5. Heartbreaker6. Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)7. Ramble On8. Moby Dick9. Bring It On HomeThat's The Way (1970)1. Immigrant Song2. Friends3. Celebration Day4. Since I've Been Loving You5. Out On The Tiles6. Summertime Blues7. Tangerine8. That's The Way9. Bron-Y-Aur Stomp10. Here For MoreMisty Mountain Hop (1971)1. Black Dog2. Rock And Roll3. The Battle Of Evermore4. Stairway To Heaven5. Misty Mountain Hop6. Four Sticks7. Going To California8. When The Levee BreaksHouses Of The Holy (1973)1. The Song Remains The Same2. Houses Of The Holy3. Over The Hills And Far Away4. Walter's Walk5. Dancing Days6. D'yer Mak'er7. No Quarter8. The OceanRide A Rock Horse (1975)1. Custard Pie2. The Rover3. In My Time Of Dying4. The Crunge5. Trampled Under Foot6. Kashmir7. In The Light8. Bron-Yr-Aur9. Down By The Seaside10. Ten Years Gone11. Night Flight12. The Wanton Song13. Walking The Dog14. Black Country Woman15. Sick AgainAfter the release of Ride A Rock Horse, Plant dies in a car crash; Bonham joins the Who; Page, Jones, and Daltrey do... something, probably, I don't know.Side Note: I'm thinking of calling this timeline "Timeline 40." I have this document full of alternate discographies I've come up with, and the one that started this whole thing, the "Bowie joins the Who" one, is the 40th. That doesn't mean I have 40 separate timelines though. A lot of them are either grouped together into continuities or are variations of pre-existing ones.Second Side Note: Off the top of my head, I can't think of any reason why my "Beatles Don't Break Up" discography can't fit into TL-40. Maybe I could bring them together? I might end up making something like Strawberry Peppers (link if you're interested: https://strawberrypeppersalthistory.blogspot.com). If I do that, I'd probably need to come up with more PODs. Something with the Stones, perhaps? John Cale stays with the Velvet Underground? I'd like to do something with the Grateful Dead, but where could things diverge there? Or what if the Doors release Celebration of the Lizard as planned? So many possibilities!