After nearly six decades of electrifying performances and smashed guitars, The Who is getting ready to say goodbye. But it’s not just the tour that may be wrapping up; guitarist Pete Townshend is dropping hints that the end might be much bigger than expected.
The band recently announced their final tour, The Song Is Over, which will cover 16 shows across the U.S. starting this summer. It’s their way of saying thank you to fans who’ve stuck with them since the 1960s. And while they’re hoping to add more dates in Europe, Pete’s latest remarks have sparked a bigger question: “Could this be the end of The Who altogether?”
Pete Townshend has never been fond of life on the road
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Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s This Cultural Life, Pete, now 80, was honest but vague: “Whether it’s the end for The Who… it’s certainly the end of touring America. We’ll have to see about Europe.”
This isn’t a sudden shift. Pete has admitted before that he’s never been too fond of life on the road. He said, “I feel like a diamond with a flaw. I was a proponent of rock and roll as a philosophy… but I didn’t enjoy doing it.” His stage antics—like smashing guitars—felt more like a performance than a passion. Despite his age, he insists he doesn’t feel old. He’s simply more interested in other parts of life now.
Ringo Starr’s son was reportedly fired from the band
Just weeks before the tour, news broke that long-time drummer Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr, was let go from the band for the second time.Pete announced Zak’s exit on Instagram, suggesting it was time for him to focus on his own projects. Roger Daltrey added that Zak, who is 20 years younger, has plenty ahead of him with his new band.
But Zak didn’t stay quiet. He quickly posted that he hadn’t quit The Who and was actually fired. He explained that he was asked to make a public statement claiming he left on his own, but refused, calling it a lie. “I love The Who and would never have quit,” he wrote. To make things even more confusing, Zak later shared a phone call he had with Roger. According to Zak, Roger said he wasn’t fired, just “retired” so he could focus on personal projects. Zak said they ended the call on friendly terms, even though the situation remains murky.