Latest news with #PeteTownshend
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Who guitarist Pete Townshend makes cryptic comment about 'the end' after iconic rock band announced their farewell tour
Legendary The Who guitarist Pete Townshend made a cryptic comment about 'the end' after the band announced their farewell tour. After almost 60 years of touring since they rose to prominence in the 1960s, The Who announced their final tour The Song Is Over will be going ahead this summer. The band will play 16 shows in the US - which they hope will be extended to Europe - as a 'thank you to fans' after all of their support. But speaking ahead of the beginning of the tour later this year, guitarist Pete, who just turned 80, hinted it may spell the end for the band entirely. Speaking to This Cultural Life on Radio 4 last week he said: 'Whether it's the end for The Who... it's certainly the end of touring America. We'll have to see (about Europe).' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop The rocker previously admitted that he is 'not crazy about touring', despite 'not feeling old'. 'I feel like a diamond with a flaw,' he added: 'I'm a dangerous f****. I was a proponent of rock and roll as a philosophy. 'But when I started exploring my inner darkness on stage, my stage persona – smashing guitars and turning it all up – I was very detached and I didn't enjoy doing it.' Pete's interview comes just weeks after he and lead singer Roger Daltrey sacked drummer Zak Stanley from the band for a second time. The son of Ringo Starr, 59, was fired from the band last week, just one month after he was sacked then quickly reinstated. Pete took to Instagram last week to announce that Zak, the Who's drummer since 1996, was no longer part of the band. But Zak quickly took to his own social media to claim that his departure was not a mutual decision and that he was fired from the band. In a second post, Pete and Roger Daltrey added: 'The Who are heading for retirement, whereas Zak is 20yrs younger and has a great future with his new band and other exciting projects. 'He needs to devote all his energy into making it all a success. We both wish him all the luck in the world. 'Scott Devours – Who fans will know him from Roger's solo shows – will be replacing Zak. We hope all our fans will welcome him. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey'. Resharing The Who's post, Zak hit back: 'I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical endevours this would be a lie. 'I love the who and would never had quit. So I didn't make the statement ….quitting The Who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more) thru the weeks of mayhem of me going 'in an out an in an out an in an out like a bleedin squeezebox x. 'To clarify "other projects" yes I do have other projects and always have. The Who have been sporadic or minimalist in touring most years apart from a two extensive tours in 2000 and 2006/7.' Zak continued to list his other previous projects before adding: 'Releasing singles but not touring cos members are so busy. None of this has ever interfered with The Who and was never a problem for them. 'The lie is or would have been that I quit The Who- I didn't. I love the who and everyone in it.' But on Monday, Zak again took to his Instagram account to share that his version of events had been contradicted yet again after a phonecall with The Who singer-guitarist Roger. Zak said Roger told him he hadn't actually been fired and instead 'retired to work on his own projects'. He wrote: 'NOISE&CONFUSION!!!! I had a great phone chat with Roger at the end of last week which truly confused both of us!!! 'Rog said I hadn't been 'fired'…I had been 'retired' to work n my own projects. I explained to Rog that I have just spent nearly 8 weeks at my studio in Jamaica completing these projects, that my group Mantra Of The Cosmos was releasing one single at the beginning of June and after that had run its course ( usually 5/6 weeks ) I was completely available for the foreseeable future…. 'Rog said "Oh!" and we kind of left it there- On good terms and great friends as we have always been. 'Gotta love these guys. As my mum used to say "The mind boggles!!!" XXX.' It comes weeks after The Who 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.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Zak Starkey looks downcast as he's seen for the first time since being sacked as drummer of The Who AGAIN
Zak Starkey looked downcast as he was seen for first time since being sacked as drummer for The Who for the second time. The son of Ringo Starr, 59, was fired from the band last week, just one month after he was sacked then quickly reinstated. He looked unhappy as he strolled through Manchester BBC Breakfast Studios in Manchester after the news broke, sporting a black parka jacket and tartan trousers. Guitarist Pete Townshend took to Instagram last week to announce that Zak, the Who's drummer since 1996, was no longer part of the band. But Zak quickly took to his own social media to claim that his departure was not a mutual decision and that he was fired from the band. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Zak's sacking comes just months ahead of the legendary bands farewell tour across North America and Pete revealed Scott Devours will replace him on drums. The statement from Pete read: 'After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change. A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.' In a second post, Pete and Roger Daltrey added: 'The Who are heading for retirement, whereas Zak is 20yrs younger and has a great future with his new band and other exciting projects. 'He needs to devote all his energy into making it all a success. We both wish him all the luck in the world. 'Scott Devours – Who fans will know him from Roger's solo shows – will be replacing Zak. We hope all our fans will welcome him. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey'. Resharing The Who's post, Zak hit back: 'I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical endevours this would be a lie. 'I love the who and would never had quit. So I didn't make the statement ….quitting The Who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more) thru the weeks of mayhem of me going 'in an out an in an out an in an out like a bleedin squeezebox x. 'To clarify "other projects" yes I do have other projects and always have. The Who have been sporadic or minimalist in touring most years apart from a two extensive tours in 2000 and 2006/7.' Zak continued to list his other previous projects before adding: 'Releasing singles but not touring cos members are so busy. None of this has ever interfered with The Who and was never a problem for them. 'The lie is or would have been that I quit The Who- I didn't. I love the who and everyone in it.' But on Monday, Zak again took to his Instagram account to share that his version of events had been contradicted yet again after a phonecall with The Who singer-guitarist Roger. Zak said Roger told him he hadn't actually been fired and instead 'retired to work on his own projects'. He wrote: 'NOISE&CONFUSION!!!! I had a great phone chat with Roger at the end of last week which truly confused both of us!!! 'Rog said I hadn't been 'fired'…I had been 'retired' to work n my own projects. I explained to Rog that I have just spent nearly 8 weeks at my studio in Jamaica completing these projects, that my group Mantra Of The Cosmos was releasing one single at the beginning of June and after that had run its course ( usually 5/6 weeks ) I was completely available for the foreseeable future…. Zak's sacking comes just months ahead of the legendary bands farewell tour across North America and Pete revealed Scott Devours will replace him on drums 'Rog said "Oh!" and we kind of left it there- On good terms and great friends as we have always been. 'Gotta love these guys. As my mum used to say "The mind boggles!!!" XXX.' It comes weeks after The Who 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.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legendary Rock Band's New Drummer Makes Powerful Statement
The Who's new drummer Scott Devours has issued a statement on Instagram following the news of his new role, and he's paying tribute to the legendary band's history int he process. Devours, who was previously Roger Daltrey's solo band drummer, was named The Who's new drummer after Zak Starkey's firing. Devours did not take his new role lightly. 'It's hard to express the tsunami of emotions that I'm processing since that incredible news,' he wrote. 'The amount of positivity thrown my way has been overwhelming, I truly thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Also, please don't ask me for tickets, lol.' In his post, Devours acknowledged that fans might feel "gutted" by Starkey's departure, admitting that, as a devoted fan himself, he's also grappling with the loss and feeling the weight of it. 'In my world, there are no bigger shoes to fill than those behind Pete and Roger,' Devours wrote. 'The weight of this responsibility is enormous and I am feeling every ounce of it. What I want to say to all of the fans is that I will do everything I can to honor the legacy of The Who, Zak, Kenney Jones, Simon Phillips and the memory of the great Keith Moon. For my name to even be mentioned in a sentence like that literally sends shivers down my spine and I know I need to earn this honor. Since this is the last time Pete and Roger will be touring the US, playing the greatest songs ever written, I will be giving them every second of my time, every beat of my heart, and every drop of my sweat and blood. This is my ultimate goal.' In the meantime, Starkey is speaking out on his firing from the band. In a lengthly Instagram post. Starkey expalined he was fired from The Who two weeks after being reinstated. Starkey said he was asked to make a statement explaining his departure was due to other musical endeavors. 'I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical endevours this would be a lie,' Starkey wrote. 'I love the Who and would never had quit. So I didn't make the statement ….quitting the Who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more) thru the weeks of mayhem of me going 'in an out an in an out an in an out like a bleedin squeezebox.' Despite his firing, Starkey expressed fondness for his former band members. Legendary Rock Band's New Drummer Makes Powerful Statement first appeared on Men's Journal on May 22, 2025
Wall Street Journal
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘What Art Does' Review: Brian Eno's Mind at Play
Art—as a field of work and study and as a matter of qualitative rather than quantitative value—is threatened, misunderstood and undervalued. No doubt this is because art is not an obvious form of self-advancement—it doesn't make you thinner or, except in very rare circumstances, richer. It does, however, improve you, and Brian Eno's 'What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory' explains how. All the pretense one might anticipate in a book with both 'theory' and 'art' in the title is undone by its gestural, playful design and illustration by Bette A., a Dutch artist who illuminates Mr. Eno's discussion of how art is 'like a language that changes meaning depending on the listener.' Take, for example, her cheerful drawing of hairstyles—they reflect 'Bette's Grandma's feelings about haircuts'—which depicts the severe, shaven noggin of someone who 'is against something' and a fluffier coiffure for one who 'wants to get married.' Together Mr. Eno and Ms. A. contemplate the art inherent in 'natural' haircuts and the 'highly sculpted beehive' that suggests 'time, formality, maintenance.' Ms. A. is the perfect foil for the king of the art-school rockers. British popular music of the second half of the 20th century was profoundly influenced by the U.K.'s post-World War II art schools. While it will surprise no one that Paul Simonon, the Clash's bassist, went to art school, the list also includes John Lennon and Pete Townshend. The art schools were easy to get into and their teachers were well regarded. The schools' core view was that the postwar world would be creative, incorporating a number of disciplines. Their graduates would be in tune with culture, ready to work in design (both industrial and graphic), fashion, advertising and entertainment, well-prepared for a world in which there was a lot to buy and sell to newly flush teenagers. Mr. Eno, born just after the war, attended Ipswich School of Art, earning a diploma in fine arts from the Winchester School of Art in 1969.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I was fired': Drummer for legendary rock band refused to say he quit before farewell tour
A legendary rock band has fired its drummer for a second time prior to its farewell tour. The Who's guitarist, Pete Townshend, announced the split on Sunday via Instagram, stating that Starkey would not be joining the band for their 'The Song is Over North America Farewell Tour.' 'After many years of great work on drums from Zak, the time has come for a change. A poignant time,' Townshend wrote on Instagram. 'Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.' In a counter-statement also posted on Instagram, Starkey called Townshend's announcement a lie. 'I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit The Who to pursue my other musical endeavors‚" Starkey wrote. 'This would be a lie. I love The Who and would never had quit. So I didn't make the statement... quitting The Who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me...' Starkey clarified that although he does have other projects, it would not have interfered with the tour and cited other points in time when he would balance both plans, from the 1990s through 2020. 'None of this has ever interfered with The Who and was never a problem for them,' Starkey said. 'The lie is or would have been that I quit The Who-I didn't. I love The Who and everyone in it.' Starkey was initially fired in April following a 'huge fall out' that originated during The Who's two Royal Albert Hall shows in March, according to The Sun. A review of the band's March gig in the Metro implied that Daltrey openly bashed Starkey's performance while on stage. While performing 'The Song Is Over,' Daltrey stopped and said, 'To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can't. All I've got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can't sing to that. I'm sorry guys,'' according to the review. Starkey, who is the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and Maureen Starkey said in a statement to Rolling Stone in April that he was 'surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night.' The drummer even said his playing has been unaffected by 'a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf' that he experienced in January. Starkey returned to The Who shortly after the initial announcement in April; the band cited 'communication issues' as the reason for his leave, according to a statement from The Who. Although the farewell tour was expected to have Starkey in it, a replacement has already been found. 'Scott Devours who has worked with Roger's solo band will join The Who for our Final shows,' Townshend said on Instagram. 'Please welcome him.' 'The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour' will feature 16 shows, including a concert at Fenway Park in Boston on Tuesday, Aug. 26. A full list of shows is below: Aug. 16 — Sunrise, Florida at Amerant Bank Arena Aug. 19 — Newark, New Jersey at Prudential Center Aug. 21 — Philadelphia, Philadelphia at Wells Fargo Center Aug. 23 — Atlantic City, New Jersey at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall Aug. 26 — Boston, Massachusetts at Fenway Park Aug. 28 — Wantagh, New York at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater Aug. 30 — New York City, New York at Madison Square Garden Sept. 2 — Toronto, Ontario, Canada at Budweiser Stage Sept. 4 — Toronto, Ontario, Canada at Budweiser Stage Sept. 7 — Chicago, Illinois at United Center Sept. 17 — Los Angeles, California at Hollywood Bowl Sept. 19 — Los Angeles, California at Hollywood Bowl Sept. 21 — Mountain View, California at Shoreline Amphitheatre Sept. 23 — Vancouver, British Columbia at Rogers Arena Sept. 25 — Seattle, Washington at Climate Pledge Arena Sept. 28 — Las Vegas, Nevada at MGM Grand Garden Arena Lynnfield man found dead in apartment played semi-pro football Mass. casino winner: $1 bet ends in jackpot win Meet the Mass. lawmaker marshaling the resistance to Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' Worcester councilor slams ICE protesters, says they should have helped children Man struck by car in Lowell to be missed by friends in boxing, music industries Read the original article on MassLive.
