The Who have no plans for UK farewell tour despite announcing final US gigs
It comes after singer Daltrey, 81, and his bandmate Townshend, 79, announced news of a final tour of the US and Canada.
Asked if a farewell tour in their home country could follow suit, Daltrey told a press conference in London: 'Let's see if we survive this one.'
The Song Is Over… The Who's Final North American tour! Don't miss out on early ticket access through The Wholigans Fan Club at https://t.co/BBeIXswsjD before May 12th 🎟️ pic.twitter.com/bYschePNw0
— The Who (@TheWho) May 8, 2025
He added: '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.
'In America, you seem to want to make it as easy as possible.'
He added: 'I don't want to say that there won't be (a UK farewell tour), but equally I'm not confident in saying there will be.'
Guitarist and vocalist Townshend, said: 'The door is open to us.
'We could do a week at the O2, a couple of weeks, maybe, at the Albert Hall, there are all of kind of things we could do.
'But you know, we don't do consecutive shows. We like to do a show and take a break.'
Daltrey, who had a growth removed from his vocal cords in 2009, said a throat specialist has told him he should have a 'day off' after every gig he performs.
He said: 'I can't do consecutive shows. At the end of the tour I might be able to do two back to back.
'I've been ordered by my throat specialist, (who would) say, 'You have to have a day off after every gig, and then after every three gigs you have to have two days off, because otherwise you will wreck your voice and you will not be able to sing'.'
The duo of Daltrey and Townshend will perform hits from across their six-decade career during The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour, named after the band's 1971 hit.
The band formed in the 1960s with a line-up that consisted of lead singer Daltrey; guitarist and vocalist Townshend; drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978; and bass guitarist John Entwistle, who died in 2002.
Last year, it was announced that Daltrey was stepping back from his role as curator of the Teenage Cancer Trust's Royal Albert Hall concerts, having launched the series in 2000, but he remains an honorary patron of the charity, with The Cure's Robert Smith taking over curation duties next year.
The tour starts in Florida on August 16 2025, with further dates in cities including New York, Toronto, Los Angeles and Vancouver, before a final date in Las Vegas on September 28.
Pre-sales will run from May 13 ahead of the general sale beginning on Friday May 16 at 10am.
The Who, formed in 1964, are best known for the albums Who's Next, Tommy and Quadrophenia, with the latter two adapted into films in 1975 and 1979 respectively.
The band went from performing club shows to headlining the Woodstock festival in the US and becoming the biggest box-office draw in the world.
The band had 14 UK Top 10 singles and they were inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990.
In 2019, they released the album Who, marking Daltrey and Townshend's first collection of new material since their 2006 album Endless Wire.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
5 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Brian Wilson: Beach Boys star who surfed the waves to success
Brian Wilson, who has died aged 82, was considered one of the world's most influential recording artists. Born in California in 1942, he showed early musical talent, teaching harmonies to his younger brothers Dennis and Carl and obsessively studying piano. In 1961, Wilson, his brothers, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine recorded Surfin', a local hit that marked the birth of The Beach Boys. Signed to Capitol Records a year later, the band shaped 1960s American pop with hits such as Surfin' USA, I Get Around and California Girls. The 1966 album Pet Sounds, which included the track God Only Knows, remains a landmark in modern music, influencing generations of artists including Sir Paul McCartney, who called it his favourite record. Sir Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson and Carole King were also fans, while The Who's drummer, Keith Moon, fantasised about joining the Beach Boys. The band ranks among the most popular groups of the rock era, with more than 30 singles in the Top 40 and worldwide sales of more than 100 million and they were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Originally unfinished in the 1960s, he finally completed and released Smile in 2004 to critical acclaim. Wilson struggled with mental illness and drug addiction, but in later years he toured globally.
North Wales Chronicle
7 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Brian Wilson: Beach Boys star who surfed the waves to success
Born in California in 1942, he showed early musical talent, teaching harmonies to his younger brothers Dennis and Carl and obsessively studying piano. In 1961, Wilson, his brothers, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine recorded Surfin', a local hit that marked the birth of The Beach Boys. Signed to Capitol Records a year later, the band shaped 1960s American pop with hits such as Surfin' USA, I Get Around and California Girls. The 1966 album Pet Sounds, which included the track God Only Knows, remains a landmark in modern music, influencing generations of artists including Sir Paul McCartney, who called it his favourite record. Sir Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson and Carole King were also fans, while The Who's drummer, Keith Moon, fantasised about joining the Beach Boys. The band ranks among the most popular groups of the rock era, with more than 30 singles in the Top 40 and worldwide sales of more than 100 million and they were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Originally unfinished in the 1960s, he finally completed and released Smile in 2004 to critical acclaim. Wilson struggled with mental illness and drug addiction, but in later years he toured globally.
Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Brian Wilson: Beach Boys star who surfed the waves to success
Born in California in 1942, he showed early musical talent, teaching harmonies to his younger brothers Dennis and Carl and obsessively studying piano. In 1961, Wilson, his brothers, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine recorded Surfin', a local hit that marked the birth of The Beach Boys. Signed to Capitol Records a year later, the band shaped 1960s American pop with hits such as Surfin' USA, I Get Around and California Girls. Brian Wilson was a member of The Beach Boys (Ian West/PA) The 1966 album Pet Sounds, which included the track God Only Knows, remains a landmark in modern music, influencing generations of artists including Sir Paul McCartney, who called it his favourite record. Sir Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson and Carole King were also fans, while The Who's drummer, Keith Moon, fantasised about joining the Beach Boys. The band ranks among the most popular groups of the rock era, with more than 30 singles in the Top 40 and worldwide sales of more than 100 million and they were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Originally unfinished in the 1960s, he finally completed and released Smile in 2004 to critical acclaim. Wilson struggled with mental illness and drug addiction, but in later years he toured globally.
