Posted on 05/08/2025 12:07:13 PM PDT by Red Badger
The Who have shared the shock news that they will be retiring from touring after 60 years, following a final run of shows in the US later this year.
The legendary rock band shared the news at a London press conference as they announced their farewell tour, which will kick off in July.
The news comes just weeks after Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend made a shock U-turn to welcome drummer Zak Starkey back into the band, after he was sacked following a bitter fallout.
While announcing the band's retirement, Pete, 79, made the shock confession: 'Everyone needs to know the truth…. I can't lie…. I am not crazy about touring.'
Meanwhile Roger, 81, who appeared via video link, said: 'It will have to come to an end one day.'
The Who are set to play 16 shows in the US, and insiders have told The Mirror they hope the tour will be extended to include dates in Europe and the UK.
Roger went onto add: '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.'
'Us out there performing for the last time is a thank you for fans.'
He went onto cast doubt over whether the tour could be extended to the UK, saying: '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.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I’ve never been able to see them or Led Zeppelin, because they never were playing where I was................
As one whose primary gigging guitars evolved from a Melody Maker in the 60's, to an SG in the 80's, to a Les Paul Custom in the 2000's, and finally to a Strat around 2015, I agree.
The PT Windmill just ain't the same, and a Strat, while a beautiful melodic instrument, doesn't have the humbucking crunch.
I do understand wanting a lighter weight instrument around your neck, but hell, get an SG like Angus and Joan Jett.
I saw them in D.C. twice (Capital Center), Philly once (Spectrum) and Houston twice (Astrodome.) I think that last one in Houston was a “farewell tour” in the 90s. 😏
Their current announced farewell tour isn’t coming anywhere near me.
Me, too.
Dallas, Texas.
I was there!
My playing was never that level but at 78, still playing gigs and not fired. Yet! 🎸😅👍
The kids are all right.
That was a killer show, wasn’t it?
The 1970 Isle Of Wight show may be the greatest performance by any band.
Young Man Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9boFzhUVG4
The name of the Tour is "The Song is Over" One of the great songs off of Who's Next, some first rate Keith Moon Drumming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoBzU-hUnL4
I too was at the Cotton Bowl! Steel Breeze, Billy Squire, and The Who.
Seem like I attended the Farewell Tour concert back in the 90’s ... 🤔
Hope you didn’t take the brown acid, it was a bad batch but at least it was fentanal free! Good Times Dude!
“Zak’s Sack...
Got a Link or a quick synopsis of Why Pete gave Zak the Boot?”
It was Roger not Pete. Roger said the drums were too loud. Pretty funny since he played with Keith Moon.
Plus that sounds like a monitoring problem easily fixable and Zak had been playing with them for 20+ years. So it made no sense. Roger might be losing it a bit mentally.
Very cool. Same here although I am not as old as you.
“The 1970 Isle Of Wight show may be the greatest performance by any band”
Hard to argue. Love the Pete Gibson SG years. Actually I loved Pete’s playing on the 1982 Tour as well. He was in fine shape and had a really nice sound with a Tele knock off made by Shechter guitars. No back up Guitar players on that tour, it was all Pete. Yes, he is closing in on 80 years, and has had his Brother Simon on second guitar for nearly 30 years so he has lost some skills and gotten a bit sloppy at times, but can bring some respectable guitar if he wants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3AgzL6eVM4
Yep! Great show indeed!
For some reason I brought my fleece-lined coat to the State Fair that day and was ridiculed for carrying the stupid thing around in the hot afternoon sun. By the time The Who hit the stage, everyone was freezing their asses off and my girlfriend couldn’t wait to wrap that warm fleece around her with me.
He who laughs last ....
There are some on here that are. 😊👍🎸🎤🎛
And then there was Thunder Fingers....
Pick this up at the 3:00 minute mark for some exceptional bass playing, essentially taken on lead. (yes it is enhanced but just so you can here John in the mix a bit better)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKTaUYNmTrU
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