In my humble opinion, The Who compares more readily to Cream than Led Zeppelin (which got its start much later, was the gateway to Metal, a different genre, really). Don't get me wrong, Led Zeppelin great but somewhat different?

I often wondered why The Who and Cream were two bands I never got sick of (and whom my boys believed stood out, akin to me raving about Benny Goodman). I've read about the two (the bios of Daltry, Townsend, and Bruce), watched the Baker documentary. Of course, Clapton is well documented. Here are my conclusions:

1) Both had amazingly dynamic bass players in Entwistle and Bruce, who were almost the "leads". They both produce a unique sound that is borne of high technical skill and imagination.

2) They have amazingly energetic and innovative drummers in Baker and Moon. Taken together, the two band's rhythm sections have no peer.

3) They both benefitted from playing LOUD, and almost invented LOUD. The Who innovated use of the Marshall Stack, which made them legendary, not sure if Cream sort of copied, but famously Clapton couldn't take the noise after awhile.

4) Of course, Townsend was an amazingly creative and innovative songwriter (later making great use of the Synclavier), yet Bruce kind of invented a unique system of songwriting with poet Bruce Brown, with Clapton and Baker later following along. Townsend's lyrics more thought-provoking, Brown's more of the psychedelic "huh?" variety, yet effective.

5) Of course, Clapton a much better guitarist than Townsend, but Townsend's "power chords" very effective given the genre. Clapton lucky that Brad Plunkett invented the Wah-Wah for him (which he and Hendrix subsequently played the shit out of). Of course Townsend, Clapton, Hendrix m.o.l. contemporaries, influenced each other.

6) Daltry the superior vocalist (over Bruce, who was no slouch). Daltry the superior showman.

7) Both bands do great three part harmony backgrounds, I suppose much credit also given to producers Felix Pappalardi (Cream), Shel Almy, Kit Lambert (The Who) etc.

8) Jack Bruce didn't go on to sustained greatness like the others, but was certainly a musical genius for the ages.

9) Daltry and Clapton are incredible survivors. Townsend, Clapton, Pappalardi suffered ear damage, obviously Moon and possibly Entwistle didn't survive the lifestyle.

10) The auditory power, dynamic rhythm, off-beat tunes/lyrics, backed by comparatively delicate harmonies create a historic sound with few peers...lightening in a bottle?