Rock legends The Who have announced their final farewell tour. But surprisingly, the British band won’t play any shows in the U.K. The band’s final run will only visit the United States and Canada, skipping their home country entirely.
Loyal American fans
They announced the tour during a press conference with founding members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. Daltrey, who joined virtually, praised American fans for their loyalty and said he hopes The Who have given back just as much.
When asked about the timing, Daltrey said every band reaches the end eventually, and that he wants to step away while he can still sing in the same key. Daltrey is 81, and Townshend turns 80 on May 19.
“Everybody’s dream was to make it successfully in America,” Daltrey said. “To have America take us into its hearts meant so much.”
Uncertainty around UK shows
The duo later explained that touring in the U.S. is simply easier than in the U.K. Daltrey didn’t rule out the possibility of U.K. dates in the future, but expressed doubts.
“For some reason or another, the U.K. has decided to make it as difficult as possible to go from A to B,” Daltrey said. “In America, you seem to want to make it as easy as possible. But we are in the land of ‘no.’ I don’t want to say there won’t be [U.K. shows], but equally, I’m not confident in saying there will be.”
Unbiased. Straight Facts.TM
The Who will join The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys as the oldest touring bands with members in their 80s after Pete Townshend turns 80 May 19.
Decades of music history
The Who formed in London in 1964 with Daltrey, Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon. During the press conference, they reminisced about their first American concert, which was held at a high school gym in Michigan.
Over the years, other musicians have joined the group, including longtime drummer Zak Starkey, who became a full-time member in 1996. Starkey made headlines recently after parting ways with the band in March due to a disagreement over his performance. However, he was officially welcomed back in April.
A statement posted to the band’s official website on April 19 read: “[Zak’s] not being asked to step down from The Who. There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.”
“The Song is Over” Tour kicks off in August, with tickets available through Citi and The Whooligan Fan Club, presale from May 13 to May 15. General on-sale begins on May 16.
Tour dates:
- Aug. 16: Sunrise, FL
- Aug. 19: Newark, NJ
- Aug. 21: Philadelphia
- Aug. 23: Atlantic City, NJ
- Aug. 26: Boston
- Aug. 28: Wantagh, NY
- Aug. 30: New York
- Sept. 2: Toronto
- Sept. 4: Toronto
- Sept. 7: Chicago
- Sept. 17: Los Angeles
- Sept. 19: Los Angeles
- Sept. 21: Mountain View, CA
- Sept. 23: Vancouver
- Sept. 25: Seattle
- Sept. 28: Las Vegas
