40th Anniversary of Key Events in the Evolution of The Who Celebrated with Major DVD Release.

Entertainment Editors

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 21, 2003

Pioneer Entertainment:

-- Pioneer Entertainment to Release Long-Awaited DVD of Acclaimed

Rock Film, THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

-- Digitally Restored and Re-Mastered, the Ultimate Celluloid

Celebration of The Who Blasts onto Special Edition DVD for the

First Time -- Sept. 30, 2003

-- Double-Disc DVD includes bonus disc of a brand-new production

-- WON'T GET FILMED AGAIN! The Definitive Companion to the

Definitive Who Film

-- Includes Rare Interviews, Never-Before-Seen Footage, Multiple

Camera Angles and Much More

-- NOTE: THIS IS A CONDENSED VERSION OF A MAJOR NEWS RELEASE. FOR

IN-DEPTH VERSION WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, GO TO:

http://www.thekidsarealright.com/press.htm

On Sept. 30, 2003, Pioneer Entertainment will release the long-awaited DVD Edition of one of the most acclaimed rock films of all-time -- THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT -- the celluloid celebration of The Who that received its theatrical premiere nearly 25 years ago.

The timing of the release of Pioneer Entertainment's Special Edition DVD has been chosen to commemorate a major anniversary in the history of the legendary band. October 2003 sees the 40th anniversary of two key events in the evolution of The Who, one of the most acclaimed and influential rock bands of all time.

It was in October 1963 that the members of the fledgling band made their first-ever recording, beginning the recording career that propelled the band to the highest echelon of rock music alongside their contemporaries The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

It was also the month when the band first performed songs composed by band member Pete Townshend -- the key factor that distinguished the group from the plethora of other aspiring groups on the British music scene. Up till this point the musicians who became The Who had been covering songs by other artists. Once they started performing original material by Pete Townshend, their destiny was assured.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of these crucial turning-points in the evolution of the band, Pioneer Entertainment will release the first-ever DVD Edition of the acclaimed 1979 film which Who fans regard as the definitive celebration of their heroes, and which film critics and rock mavens of all stripes have long hailed as one of the best rock 'n' roll films of all time.

RESTORATION OF THE ORIGINAL FILM

The DVD is a state-of-the-art presentation. Over a two-year period the film was restored to the director's original theatrical version of the film, including its full length. The film was digitally re-mastered in Hi-Definition, and an intensive color correction, re-framing, dirt and scratch-removal process was utilized.

The film has been re-mixed to Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS. In addition, for the first time ever, the original multi-track recordings specially created for the original film were used to re-mix three of The Who's most iconic songs -- "Baba O'Riley," "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Who Are You."

The DVD also features a brand-new, full-length commentary track with the film's director Jeff Stein, moderated by rock historian Martin Lewis.

KEY SEGMENTS ON THE BONUS DISC - WON'T GET FILMED AGAIN!

The Special Edition DVD of The Kids Are Alright features a second disc -- presenting a brand-new production titled Won't Get Filmed Again! -- an expansive companion to the original film. It features nearly five hours of rare material.

The material presented in Won't Get Filmed Again! ranges from exclusive brand-new, in-depth interviews with key participants such as Roger Daltrey and director Jeff Stein; to interactive features offering a virtual tour of The Who's London and trivia games; to ultra-rare features which allow the hardcore Who fan to focus on over 100 minutes of audio and video live performance footage of the individual band members.

PACKAGING AND BOOKLET

Both the Single-Disc Deluxe Edition and the Double-Disc Special Edition DVD come with a 30-page booklet featuring a new introduction by director Jeff Stein. Included are numerous photographs of the band, including many previously unpublished images. The cover features the iconic 1968 image of The Who sleeping under the British flag atop Grant's Tomb.

TWO DVD EDITIONS OF THE FILM

There are two DVD editions of the film. The double-disc Special Edition DVD of The Kids Are Alright -- including the Won't Get Filmed Again! bonus disc -- is priced at $29.98. The single-disc Deluxe Edition DVD is priced at $22.98.

BACKGROUND TO THE WHO'S 40th ANNIVERSARY

The Who did not spring into the world as a fully-formed band on one specific day in time. Like most rock bands, the group evolved over a period of several years until it reached the critical mass that became The Who. However, rock historians agree that two of the most crucial turning points in the band's evolution were when the group first went beyond performing cover songs and decided to perform Pete Townshend's compositions.

Both of these key moments took place on a Sunday evening in October 1963 in the London suburb of Cricklewood. It was on that night 40 years ago that Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle assembled in the front-room home studio of a TV composer, and in a few hours' work, created the musical fusion that was to become The Who.

On that night, Pete Townshend presented the band with his first two compositions. One was called "It Was You." The second song was titled "Please Don't Send Me Home." Both songs were recorded -- in very primitive fashion -- and the transition from local dance band playing cover versions of American R&B tunes to self-sufficient creative group began.

At the end of that October evening, the band, then still called The Detours, emerged into the North-West London night with a new sense of purpose. They had discovered their own built-in songwriter. And they had committed their musical talents to recording tape for the first time. Their destiny was assured. Just four months later they changed their name to The Who, and within a few weeks added Keith Moon to the lineup. The four teenage boys were now set. The 'kids' were alright...

PIONEER ENTERTAINMENT

Pioneer Entertainment (USA) Inc. (www.pioneer-ent.com) is a full-service producer and distributor of entertainment software including film, music, animation and television shows on VHS and DVD. Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, is a leader in optical disc technology and a preeminent manufacturer of high-performance audio, video, computer and cable television equipment for the home, car and business markets. Pioneer Corporation focuses on four core business domains including DVD, display technologies, Digital Network Entertainment and components. Founded in 1938 in Tokyo, Pioneer Corporation and its affiliates employ more than 34,000 people worldwide. Its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:PIO).

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

Price:              $29.98 (Double-Disc Special Edition),
                    $22.98 (Single-Disc Deluxe Edition)

Street Date:        9/30/03

Pre-order Date:     8/26/03

Running Time:       109 minutes

Catalog Number:     12103 (Special Edition)
                    12116 (Deluxe Edition)

Rating:             NR

Audio:              5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS

Language:           English

--30--AMP/

    CONTACT: Pioneer Entertainment
             Mark Roche, 310-952-2025
             [e-mail]
             or
             Bender/Helper Impact
             Pamela Grant/Sarah Gumina, 310-473-4147
             [e-mail] / [e-mail]

    KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC MOTION PICTURES PRODUCT
    SOURCE: Pioneer Entertainment