The Who Host 10th Annual Backyard Concert Featuring John Fogerty, Peter Frampton, and More Rock Legends
via Giuseppe Vergara / YouTube
A Final Tour Followed by One More Show
The Who closed out their “The Song Is Over” North American farewell tour on Wednesday, October 1, with a sold-out performance at Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, California. While that night marked the end of the tour, the band wasn’t quite ready to put down their guitars. Just two days later, on Friday, October 3, the British rock icons hosted and performed at a special benefit show near Los Angeles. The event, held at a private venue, supported Teen Cancer America and the UCLA Health Center, causes that remain close to the band’s heart.
This gathering marked the 10th Annual Backyard Concert, an event The Who created to raise funds for Teen Cancer America. This year’s show brought together a powerful lineup, including Cheap Trick, Peter Frampton, Def Leppard, John Fogerty, and The Doobie Brothers. To top it off, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam made two surprise guest appearances during the night.
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Rock Royalty Share the Stage
According to Ultimate Classic Rock, each act played a short but unforgettable set packed with their most famous hits. Cheap Trick opened the evening with crowd favorites before passing the stage to Peter Frampton, who delivered his signature mix of soulful guitar and melodic rock.
The Who took the stage third, performing seven songs that spanned their legendary career: “I Can’t Explain,” “Who Are You,” “I Can See for Miles,” “You Better You Bet,” “The Kids Are Alright,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” and “Baba O’Riley.” Eddie Vedder joined the band for “The Kids Are Alright,” creating one of the night’s most memorable moments.
Fogerty and Def Leppard Bring the Classics
Def Leppard followed with a rare all-acoustic performance, trading their usual electric energy for a stripped-down sound. The change in tone gave fans an intimate look at the group’s musicianship.
Next came John Fogerty, who performed six songs mostly drawn from his Creedence Clearwater Revival days. Vedder returned to the stage once again, lending his voice to “Fortunate Son.” Closing the show, The Doobie Brothers delivered a lively finale that left the crowd singing along.
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Giving Back Through Music
The concert wasn’t just about legendary performances—it was also about raising money and awareness. Teen Cancer America, founded in 2012 by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, focuses on helping teens and young adults facing cancer. The group funds specialized hospital units and recreational programs tailored to young patients, following the model of the U.K.’s Teen Cancer Trust, which Daltrey has supported for decades.
Proceeds from the event also benefited the UCLA Health Center, which provides advanced treatment for people on the autism spectrum and ongoing care for victims of the January 2025 California wildfires.
Stars Celebrate the Night Online
After the show, performers shared their experiences on social media. Peter Frampton wrote, “Thanks so much Roger. So great to see you and be there for the very successful Teen Cancer US event. … Safe travels my friend!” He posted a photo with Daltrey and another with his son, Julian, alongside NBA legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Cooper.
Def Leppard also posted photos, including snapshots of frontman Joe Elliott with members of Cheap Trick, Roger Daltrey, and Eddie Vedder, adding: “Good times at [The Who’s] 2025 Backyard Concert. Thanks for having us, it was an honor to be a part of the event.”
John Fogerty shared a short video featuring clips of his duet with Vedder and a glimpse of The Who’s performance. His caption read, “Honored to be part of the 10th annual @TeenCancerAmerica & @UCLAHealth backyard concert raising money for an incredible cause and sharing the stage with so many legends. [Eddie Vedder] joined us for Fortunate Son and performances from Def Leppard, Peter Frampton, The Doobie Brothers, Cheap Trick, and The Who made it a night to remember. Thanks for having us, LA!”
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A Farewell That May Not Be Final
Earlier this month, The Who wrapped their “The Song Is Over: North American Farewell Tour,” which included 17 dates from August 16 in Sunrise, Florida, to the October 1 finale in California. While billed as a farewell, the band’s manager Bill Curbishley hinted that future shows in the U.K. or abroad are still possible.
During the final concert, Pete Townshend addressed the audience: “To what we know as The Who, it’s goodbye. What Roger and I will get up to next, who knows? If we last any longer, I’m sure we’ll get up to all kinds of mischief… But for this kind of thing, it’s goodbye. And you were last!”
Roger Daltrey followed with heartfelt thanks: “Thank you so much for coming out. Thank you so much for your support over all the years, it means so much to us. It was every band’s dream in the ’60s to make it in America, and thanks to you guys, you made it happen for us. Thank you so much!”
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