As is so often the case with some of rock’s biggest names, the end isn’t always the end. For evidence, you only need to look at Kiss’s impending Las Vegas unmasked show in the wake of their extravagant farewell tour (which wasn’t their first), or Ozzy Osbourne’s 1992 No More Tours retirement jaunt, which has since been succeeded by a pair of road stints (including No More Tours 2).
Considering Pete Townshend’s new, cryptic comments on the Who’s future, that group may soon be added to the list of long goodbyes that never were..
The band, which formed in 1964 and carries on with original members Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey, will play its last U.S. shows in August and September this year.
“Well, all good things must come to an end. It is a poignant time,” Townshend said ahead of the tour (via Louder). “For me, playing to American audiences and those in Canada has always been incredible.
“The warmth and engagement of those audiences began back in 1967, with hippies smoking dope, sitting on their blankets, and listening deeply and intensely. Music was everywhere. We all felt equal. Today, Roger and I still carry the banner for the late Keith Moon, John Entwistle, and of course, all of our long-time Who fans.”
However, despite his recent admission that playing live doesn’t “fill my soul” anymore, Townshend has offered hints that the band may take to stages again outside of the U.S.
Guesting on BBC Radio 4’s My Cultural Life program, Townshend was asked the inevitable: Is this really the end?
“It’s certainly the end of touring in America,” he replied. “I asked Roger if it’s the end of touring Europe, and he said, ‘We’ll have to wait and see.’”
According to Far OutDaltrey was asked a similar question at a press conference announcing the U.S. tour. “Let’s see if we survive this one,” he replied.
Townshend shows a clear intention to carry on, even if touring is off the table. In a chat with BBC Radio 4, he said the “suffering” he endured as a child shaped him as a musician.
“I’m a dangerous fucker,” he quipped. “There’s no question. When I work, I am charged, and I feel that came from the time with my grandmother when I had to build up some level of resistance.”
The Who’s career has spanned decades and several music milestones, starting with the 1969 rock opera Tommywhich Townshend was inspired to create after Jimi Hendrix dethroned him as Britain’s most outrageous showman.
He subsequently claimed Hendrix “wasn’t creative” and stated rhythm guitar was the one thing in his trick bag that no one could beat him at.
— I’m a dangerous fucker. There’s no question.”
Pete Townshend
His rhythm comments were especially meaningful, considering that he told Guitar Player in 1972 he’d “never be able to play the kind of leads I want.”
As far as Townshend was concerned, the Who’s lead guitar player wasn’t him but John Entwistle, whose bass parts often saw him assuming that role.
Whatever happens with the Who after the final U.S. jaunt remains to be seen. But if we’ve learned anything from the past decades, it’s that farewell tours are rarely the swan songs they’re made out to be.
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