In February of 1964, the small London band The Detours hired 17-year-old drummer Keith Moon, changed their name to The Who, and began a course that would forever change the face of rock ‘n’ roll. Led Zeppelin, The Clash, AC/DC, The Jam, CSI-Miami, and countless others owe a whole lot to The Who for paving the way, and the remaining members will continue paving well into 2011.
Eschewing Coachella headlining for writing time may have proven felicitous after all, as Roger Daltrey has mentioned the band is ready to hit the road again next year with “a new show” (via Billboard). ”We’ve got ideas,” Daltrey stated. “We’re looking on probably being out there, hopefully if all goes well, in the spring of next year…We definitely don’t want to stop. We feel it’s the role of the artist to go all the way through life ’til you can’t do it anymore.”
Regardless of pragmatic rock ‘n’ roll sentiments, there are certainly obstacles to overcome and that’s mainly Pete Townsend’s tinnitus. According to Dr. Daltrey, though, “it’s nothing that can’t be sorted out.” As for the material the band may take on the road, The Who’s 1973 concept album Quadrophenia is certainly on his mind.
The Who performed a trial run of Quadrophenia as part of a benefit concert for the Teenage Cancer Trust on March 30th in London. The gig prompted mixed feelings from Roger Daltrey, saying that the show was “dated to put it out as it is now. We need to fix that area, but I know how to do it.”
So when Daltrey “sorts out” Townsend’s chronic ear thing, and figures out how to “do” Quadrophenia again, as things stand, fans will see The Who again in spring of 2011. There may be a good chance audiences around the world will get the chance to see Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend take their tale of the Mods and Rockers in 1960s Brighton back on tour as well. We’ll of course keep you updated.
