The Who's Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey held a press conference Thursday at the Iconic Images gallery in London to announce their upcoming tour, The Song Is Over -- The North American Farewell Tour. Townshend explained the decision to embark on a farewell tour: "It would be pointless for me to lie." He elaborated on his mixed feelings about touring, sharing a personal anecdote: "I'm not crazy about touring. But performing, once I'm on a stage -- I was hypnotized once as a little boy by my dentist who was experimenting with hypnotism, that whenever I walked on a stage I would do my best, and that's what happens. I get on a stage, I remember that post-hypnotic suggestion and I do my best. And that's how it works for me. I find it easy. But being on the road is not a great way to live."
Roger Daltrey, who joined the press conference via video, expressed his deep appreciation for their American fans. Daltrey reminisced about the band's journey and the significance of their success in America: "Every musician's dream was to make it successfully in America because that was where we first heard the pulses of rock music coming from. To have America take us to its hearts, it meant so much and they've been so loyal to us, and I hope we've given back to you in the same manner. But, it's got to come to an end one day. It would be great to do it while I can still sing the songs in the same key. Pete's still playing great guitar and music's still got a vitality that suits it."
As for whether this tour will truly be their last, that question remains open. Daltrey commented, "Let's see if we survive this one. Touring America is a damn sight easier than touring the UK because for some reason or the other the UK has decided to make it as difficult as possible to go from A to B, and in America you seem to want to make it as easy as possible. But I don't want to say there won't be, but equally I'm not confident of saying there will be. That's the honest answer to that." Townshend added, "I would agree completely, but, you know, the door is open to us."
The tour kicks off on August 16th in Sunrise, Florida, and will run through September 28th in Las Vegas. Tickets go on sale next Friday, May 16th at 10:00 a.m. local time.
[Source: Classic Hits Music News]