LONDON – Legendary British rockers The Who are preparing to bid a heartfelt farewell to North America this coming summer.
The iconic duo, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, revealed on Thursday their plans to perform their much-loved tracks during the “The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour,” a nod to their 1971 classic.
Having solidified their status by the 1970s as one of the biggest bands globally, playing to packed stadiums across the U.S., The Who will commence their farewell tour in Florida on August 16. As the tour unfolds, fans in cities such as New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Vancouver will have the chance to see them before it all culminates in a final show in Las Vegas on September 28.
“In the early ’60s, every musician dreamed of making it big on the U.S. charts,” Daltrey reflected. “We achieved that dream in 1967, forever altering the course of our lives.”
The Who’s history is rich, with their evolution from club performers to headliners at events as grand as the Woodstock festival. This storied journey led them to become one of the biggest draws worldwide, earning a place in the Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame come 1990.
Despite the passage of time, and the loss of key members such as drummer Keith Moon in 1978 and bassist John Entwistle in 2002, Daltrey, 81, alongside Townshend, two years his junior, continue to represent the spirit of The Who.
“Roger and I maintain the legacy for the late Keith Moon, John Entwistle, and of course, all our loyal followers,” Townshend commented. “Even though the journey hasn’t always been smooth for me, it’s a role I’ve cherished deeply, bringing me back time and again.”
Though Daltrey wasn’t a songwriter himself, he brought to life Townshend’s complex array of emotions: from defiance and rage to vulnerability and desperation. Together, they delivered some of rock music’s most memorable anthems, including the rebellious “My Generation,” the intense “They’re all wasted!” from “Baba O’Reilly,” and the earth-shattering scream in “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” Their influential albums, “Tommy” and “Quadrophenia,” even enjoyed cinematic adaptations in 1975 and 1979, respectively.
Fans eager to attend this historic tour can access pre-sale tickets starting May 13, with general sales kicking off on May 16.
“All good things have their end, and it’s undoubtedly an emotional moment for us,” Townshend reflected. “Performing for audiences in the U.S. and Canada has always been an incredible experience.”
However, Daltrey, who has been advised by a throat specialist to rest after each performance, and Townshend currently have no plans for a U.K. farewell.
“We’ll have to see how we manage this tour,” Daltrey mused. “While I’m not ruling out a U.K. farewell, I can’t promise it either.”