*Courtesy - SMS Yearbook and Ritland Concert Photos.*

Original Article Courtesy - Sam Zeff, KCUR

In 1967, Shawnee Mission South High School made a unique mark on music history. The school, which had opened just a year earlier, was in the process of establishing its identity. Adopting the Raiders as their mascot—a nod to the rock band Paul Revere & the Raiders—the school embraced rock and roll as part of its culture.

As part of their efforts to boost school spirit, the student council organized a series of events. One of these culminated in a concert on November 17, 1967, that remains a notable moment in both the school’s history and the broader rock music narrative.

That evening, the Shawnee Mission South gymnasium hosted a performance featuring two acts: The Buckinghams, a popular "sunshine pop" band from Chicago, and an opening act that would later achieve legendary status—The Who. The British band performed a nine-song set that included:

I Can’t Explain
Substitute
A Quick One (While He’s Away)
Run Run Run
Mary Ann With the Shaky Hands
I Can See for Miles
Summertime Blues
My Generation

The Who, not yet the iconic band they would become, was part of a demanding North American tour and made this unexpected stop between major venues. According to Dan Torchia, a Kansas City music history blogger and Shawnee Mission South graduate, the band "crossed the whole country doing whatever gig they could find," which led them to perform at the high school in Overland Park, Kansas.

*The Buckinghams at Shawnee Mission South. Courtesy - SMS Yearbook and Ritland Concert Photos.*

At the time, The Buckinghams were enjoying significant success, thanks to hits like "Kind of a Drag." However, many attendees recall The Who’s set as the standout performance. Vallie Hogan, a 1968 Shawnee Mission South graduate, reflected, “I don’t remember much about The Buckinghams ... but I do remember The Who.”

The concert’s energy was unforgettable. Don Thellman, a Shawnee Mission North graduate who attended the event, described The Who’s dynamic stage presence: “They didn’t spare anything. They were kicking over the amplifiers and smashing their guitars.”

Tickets for the event were $3, giving students a chance to witness what would later be recognized as a pivotal moment in rock history. The performance was documented in Shawnee Mission South’s 1968 yearbook, which serves as a reminder of the night when The Who electrified a Kansas high school gymnasium.

For Shawnee Mission South, this concert remains a unique point of pride. It’s not every day that a high school can claim to have hosted one of rock’s most influential bands, and the story continues to be a cherished part of Kansas City’s musical history.