Classic Rock
Pete Townshend says The Who is currently a tribute band
The Who have launched “The Song Is Over”, their farewell tour after more than 60 years on the road. Over the decades, the band lost two key members: drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle, both of whom tragically passed away. In an interview with AARP, Pete Townshend reflected on why the band continued without them, saying that today they are essentially a tribute band. He also noted that the families of Moon and Entwistle have become millionaires thanks to The Who’s efforts to keep their legacy alive.
Pete Townshend says The Who is currently a tribute band
“It’s a brand rather than a band. Roger and I have a duty to the music and the history. The Who [still] sells records —the Moon and Entwistle families have become millionaires. There’s also something more, really: the art, the creative work is when we perform it. We’re celebrating. We’re a Who tribute band.”
“But apart from that, it does whet an appetite to think about how we should bow out in our personal lives — what we do with our families and our friends and everything else at this age. We’re lucky to be alive. I’m looking forward to playing, Roger likes to throw wild cards out sometimes in the set, and we have learned and rehearsed a few songs that we don’t always play,” Pete Townshend said.
Next The Who tour dates
August
- 23 – Atlantic City, NJ – Boardwalk Hall
- 26 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
- 28 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
- 30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
September
- 2 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
- 4 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
- 7 – Chicago, IL – United Center
- 9 – Chicago, IL – United Center
- 17 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
- 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
- 21 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
- 23 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
- 25 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
- 28 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
