The Who have dropped the bombshell that they’re retiring after 60 years.
The rock legends are bowing out of touring after an epic six-decade-long run, with one final set of gigs on the horizon. Pete Townshend revaled at a London press conference about their farewell tour: “Everyone needs to know the truth…. I can’t lie…. I am not crazy about touring.”
The iconic group is set to rock out at 16 shows across North America, and whispers are swirling that they might hit Europe next, with UK fans crossing fingers for some home turf dates. The tour’s been dubbed The Song Is Over, sharing its name with their fresh single.
Dialling in via video, Roger Daltrey weighed in: “It will have to come to an end one day.”
(Image: Redferns)
Roger added: “Pete (Townshend) is still playing great guitar, the music’s still got the vitality that suits it, because it’s something about the way Pete’s music is written, the way it’s shaped, the sentiment behind it, it doesn’t seem to age like a lot of rock music does.”
He continued, reflecting on the significance of their final performances: “Us out there performing for the last time is a thank you for fans.”
When asked if they will be coming to the UK on their farewell tour, Roger claimed he was “not confident” about this. The musician said: “Let’s see if we survive this one. Touring America is a damn sight easier than touring the UK, because, for some reason or the other, the UK has decided to make it as difficult as possible to go from A to B.
“In America, you seem to want to make it as easy as possible. I don’t want to say that there won’t be, but equally I’m not confident in saying there will be.”
This follows the news that the band made a dramatic U-turn over their future working with Zak Starkey after there were concerns over his drumming.
(Image: Michael Ochs Archives)
However, Townshend set the record straight and said they had now welcomed Zak back into the group after he apologised for his errors. He shared: “He’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.
“Roger and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line up and he has readily agreed. I take responsibility for some of the confusion. Our TCT shows at the Royal Albert Hall were a little tricky for me. I thought that four and a half weeks would be enough time to recover completely from having a complete knee replacement. (Why did I ever think I could land on my knees?) Wrong!
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
“Maybe we didn’t put enough time into sound checks, giving us problems on stage. The sound in the centre of the stage is always the most difficult to work with. Roger did nothing wrong but fiddle with his in-ear monitors. Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised. Albeit with a rubber duck drummer.
“We are a family, this blew up very quickly and got too much oxygen. It’s over. We move forward now with optimism and fire in our bellies.
“As for Roger, fans can enjoy his forthcoming solo shows with his fabulous drummer, Scott Devours, who it was rumoured might replace Zak in The Who and has always been supportive of the band. I owe Scott an apology for not crushing that rumour before it spread. He has been hurt by this. I promise to buy him a very long drink and give him a hug.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
