Pete Townshend Shares How The Who Will End

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Pete Townshend, the renowned guitarist of The Who, sparked speculation about the band’s future by suggesting the possibility of a final farewell tour. Townshend shared his thoughts candidly, expressing a sentiment that the band could embark on one last global tour before bidding adieu to the stage.

“It feels to me like there’s one thing the Who can do, and that’s a final tour where we play every territory in the world and then crawl off to die,” Townshend remarked, hinting at the potential grandeur of such an undertaking.

Townshend’s remarks shed light on the financial aspect of touring, hinting that the motivation behind a final tour might be less about leaving a legacy and more about economic considerations. “I don’t get much of a buzz from performing with the Who,” he admitted. “If I’m really honest, I’ve been touring for the money. My idea of an ordinary lifestyle is pretty elevated.”

This isn’t the first time Townshend has broached the topic of retirement. Towards the end of 2023, he hinted at the need for discussions between him and vocalist Roger Daltrey regarding the band’s future direction. “I think it’s time for Roger and I to go to lunch and have a chat about what happens next,” Townshend reflected. “Because [the final 2023 tour stop] shouldn’t feel like the end of anything, but it feels like the end of an era.”

Townshend’s statements underscore a pragmatic approach to future touring plans, emphasizing factors such as feasibility, profitability, and enjoyment. This echoes sentiments he expressed in 2022 when he hinted at the possibility of retiring from touring. “I don’t want to be like one of these guys that dies on tour,” he confessed to Rolling Stone. “Roger is of the opinion that he wants to sing until he drops. That’s not my philosophy of life. There are other things that I want to do, still want to do, and will do, I hope. I hope I’ll live long enough to do them.”