“This is what comes with age,” Pete Townshend remarked with a lighthearted acceptance.
Townshend, recognized as the lead guitarist, principal songwriter, and creative force behind The Who, underwent knee replacement surgery earlier this year. Meanwhile, Roger Daltrey, the band’s iconic vocalist, revealed in April that he is experiencing declines in both his vision and hearing—though he is quick to stress that his powerful tenor voice remains intact.
On August 16, The Who kicked off what they describe as their farewell tour across North America. Townshend, 80, and Daltrey, 81, originally formed the band alongside Keith Moon and John Entwistle, who passed away in 1978 and 2002 respectively. While only releasing two new albums over the past four decades, The Who’s impact during the 1960s and 1970s was profound, elevating rock music into a thoughtful, expansive art form and communal experience. Their storytelling through music led to notable adaptations including the Broadway production “Tommy” and the film “Quadrophenia.” Daltrey’s commanding vocals gave life to Townshend’s introspective lyrics, creating electrifying live performances that often erupted into powerful displays of sound and energy.
In separate interviews, the contrast between Townshend and Daltrey was striking. Townshend, known for his articulate and philosophical nature, spoke from his recording studio near London with reflective depth about the band’s journey.
Daltrey, in contrast, was succinct and good-naturedly blunt, sharing his thoughts from a hotel room in Florida. “I just got up and I’m having breakfast,” he joked, though it was already late afternoon.
The following are edited excerpts from their conversations.
The Who first embarked on a farewell tour in 1982, with several subsequent “final” performances. What makes this tour truly the last?
PETE TOWNSHEND: Are you implying we’re deceiving our fans? [Laughs] Truthfully, we’ve always played fast and loose with expectations. It’s part of our history. Why change now?
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