The Who vs. the Moody Blues – Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame Round One

It's a new month and with that brings a new group of contestants to do battle in the Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame. Round one pits the Who against the Moody Blues.

Every month, our readers will decide which of eight legendary artists or bands will be honored for their contributions to the genre. This fight matches a couple of bands that started out as hitmakers in the '60s. but because best known for their conceptual albums in the decade that followed.

The Who came roaring out of the gate in 1964 by taking the Kinks' proto-hard rock one step louder on the early singles like 'I Can't Explain' and 'My Generation.' But songwriter Pete Townshend had higher aspirations, and within a few years was starting to push the boundaries of rock songwriting. 'Tommy' and 'Quadrophenia' stretched narratives out to double-album length pieces, and Townshend's lyrics explored concepts of identity with unflinching honesty.

On the other hand, the Moody Blues stumbled for a few years after the success of 'Go Now.' But when they came back in 1967 with 'Days of Future Passed,' they hit upon their sound. Their use of orchestral arrangements helped define progressive rock and their ability to craft accessible melodies kept them on the pop charts well into the mid-'80s.

So which of these two bands will make it to the semifinals? It's your call. You can vote once an hour between now and Monday, Dec. 15 at 11:59PM ET. This month’s winner will be announced on Dec. 29. Be sure to read our official rules.