Before comparing the act of smashing a guitar to killing his wife earlier this month, the Who's Roger Daltrey said last year that touring North America was too much of a financial risk for the band. However, bandmate Pete Townshend may be willing to risk it for the reclaiming-his-former-glory biscuit, teasing that the Who have one "final" thing to do before they "crawl off and die."
In a new interview with The New York Times about the Broadway revival of the rock opera Tommy, Townshend was asked if the band had any desire to make — or plans to release — new music (the Who's last album was 2019's WHO), with the interviewer likewise pointing out that the guitarist himself hadn't released a solo record since 1993.
"I do and I think I will," Townshend responded affirmatively, going on to hint at one last tour with the band, despite the fact that they went on a "final" world tour for their 50th anniversary back in 2015.
"It feels to me like there's a final tour where we play every territory in the world and then crawl off to die," he continued, before admitting, "I don't get much of a buzz from performing with the Who. If I'm really honest, I've been touring for the money. My idea of an ordinary lifestyle is pretty elevated."
Townshend added, "The Who isn't Daltrey and Townshend onstage at 80, pretending to be young. It's the four of us in 1964, when we were 18 or 19. If you want to see the Who myth, wait for the avatar show. It would be good!"
Let's bear in mind that Townshend has been known to say some pretty suspect stuff (although we kind of hope he's right about that Elton John/Brandi Carlile album), but it sounds like some sort of formal farewell from the Who might be in the works.
