The Who has announced their farewell tour and this time–with singer Roger Daltrey, 81, and guitarist Pete Townsend turning 80 in May–it’s probably for real.
The trek, dubbed The Song Is Over North American Farewell Tour, kicks off Aug. 16 in Sunrise, Fla, and concludes Sept. 28 in Las Vegas. It’s being billed as a “truly grand finale.”
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The 16-date tour also includes stops in Atlantic City, New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other cities. It’s named after a song on the band’s 1971 album, Who’s Next, which ironically the band recently had a dust up while performing live for the first time ever in March.
Due to his deteriorating hearing, Daltrey had problems performing the 54-year-old song during the first attempt. “To sing that song, I do need to hear the key,” he said. “And I can’t hear. There’s no pitch here. I just hear drums, ‘boom boom boom.’ I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys. We’ll try one more even though it’s getting late.”
That led the band to fire, and later re-hire, longtime drummer Zak Starkey, who is the son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr. 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 induced by cocaine.
Surviving members Daltrey and Townshend issued statements about the upcoming tour.
“To me, America has always been great. The cultural differences had a huge impact on me, this was the land of the possible,” Daltrey said.
“It is a poignant time. For me, playing to American audiences and those in Canada has always been incredible,” Townshend added. “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 and John Entwistle and of course, all of our longtime Who fans.”
The Who’s the Song Is Over Tour dates:
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Aug. 16 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena
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Aug. 19 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
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Aug. 21 – Philadelphia – Wells Fargo Center
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Aug. 23 – Atlantic City, NJ – Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
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Aug. 26 – Boston – Fenway Park
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Aug. 28 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
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Aug. 30 – New York – Madison Square Garden
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Sept. 2 – Toronto – Budweiser Stage
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Sept. 4 – Toronto – Budweiser Stage
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Sept. 7 – Chicago – United Center
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Sept. 17 – Los Angeles – Hollywood Bowl
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Sept. 19 – Los Angeles – Hollywood Bowl
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Sept. 21 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
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Sept. 23 – Vancouver – Rogers Arena
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Sept. 25 – Seattle – Climate Pledge Arena
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Sept. 28 – Las Vegas – MGM Grand Garden Arena
