The Who have named their purported final North American tour “The Song Is Over,” but co-founder and guitarist Pete Townshend says he plans to continue performing after the tour concludes with a show on Sept. 28 in Las Vegas.
In an interview with AARP magazine, Townshend, 80, said he intends to pursue solo performances after wrapping up the current tour with singer Roger Daltrey. “We reserve the right to pop up again,” Townshend said, referring to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, which first announced a final tour in 1982. “But I think one thing is very clear: that at our age, we will not.” Despite this, Townshend plans to finish his long-awaited solo album, “The Age of Anxiety,” and possibly tour with it.
“I’ve got songs in all kinds of development, 140 tracks ready to go,” he said. “On ‘The Age of Anxiety,’ [based on his 2019 novel], I’ve got 26 songs. It’s not autobiographical, but my journey through addiction and recovery has inspired me to write a genuine character who wants to make his audience as happy as possible.”
The main character is described as a good-looking harmonica player performing in small clubs with a “very popular” band, sensing anxiety among some audience members. Townshend hopes the album will spark conversations about depression and the challenges artists face.
Despite tinnitus, Townshend said he feels “very creative” and healthy, estimating he has “another five years” in show business. He plans to explore solo performances but remains open to working with Daltrey again.
“Roger and I will certainly work together for charity and possibly special projects,” he said, acknowledging communication challenges with Daltrey. “Together we represent all aspects of The Who legacy.”
Townshend also addressed the controversy over drummer Zak Starkey’s firing and rehiring earlier this year. He explained Daltrey was upset with Starkey’s social media response to the situation, which misrepresented the seriousness of the events.
According to Townshend, during a March performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, a technical issue occurred while playing “The Song Is Over,” leading to confusion and speculation among fans. Townshend clarified that Daltrey’s frustration was not directed at Starkey, despite appearances.
