Legendary rock band The Who has announced their farewell tour. The band first formed in London in the 1960s and have had periods of reunion over the decades, including from 1996 until now.
The band began in 1964 after being formed by Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. The band was initially part of the British mod movement, which was a youth subculture that emerged in London in the late 1950s and 60s.
The band’s original drummer, Keith Moon, died in September 1978 at the age of 32 of a drug overdose. Original bassist John Entwistle died in June 2002 at 57 of a heart attack. The current official lineup of The Who consists of Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. They are supported by a touring band that includes Zak Starkey, Jon Button and Loren Gold.
Pete said at a London press conference to announce the tour: “Everyone needs to know the truth, I can’t lie I am not crazy about touring.” The band has announced 16 shows across North America.
Speaking on a video link, Roger Daltrey added: “It will have to come to an end one day.” He said: “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.”
Roger added: “Us out there performing for the last time is a thank you for fans.” The legendary band member added that the tour will be a “thank you” to their fans. The tour will be called The Song is Over, which is also the name of their latest single.
Discussing the potential of touring the UK for a last time, Roger said: “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.”
Speaking at the press conference, he said: “I can’t do consecutive shows. At the end of the tour I might be able to do two back-to-back. I’ve been ordered by my throat specialist, (who would) say ‘You have to have a day off after every gig, and then after every three gigs you have to have two days off, because otherwise you will wreck your voice and you will not be able to sing.”
The farewell tour kicks off on August 16 and concludes on September 28. The band has recently hit the headline after firing, then re-hiring drummer Zak Starkey.
The band had said that they would no longer be working with Zak, who, like his dad, Ringo Starr, is a drummer. A spokesperson for The Who had said: “The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall. They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.”
Pete has now said they had welcomed Zak back into the fold and said he had apologised for mistakes over his drumming. Pete said: “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 lineup, and he has readily agreed. I take responsibility for some of the confusion.”
In response Zak, who in January brought his group Mantra of the Cosmos to Mathew Street’s Cavern Club, posted: “V grateful to be a part of The Who family. Thanks Roger and Pete xx.”
Zak had earlier said he was “surprised and saddened” that anyone would question his performance at the Royal Albert Hall in March which came under the spotlight.