Roger Daltrey recently spoke with The Times about The Who’s future following Pete Townshend’s comments about possibly ending the band after their orchestral tour. Daltrey, similar to Townshend, isn’t sure what’s next for the band and is ready to leave the stage:
“I don’t write the songs. I never did. We need to sit down and have a meeting, but at the moment, I’m happy saying that part of my life is over.”
Both Members Believe It Is The End For Them
The Who completed their 2023 orchestral tour with a final show at Sandringham Estate last summer. Townshend mentioned afterward that he wanted to talk with Daltrey about the band’s future direction. The guitarist told Record Collector in December:
“I think it’s time for Roger and I to go to lunch and have a chat about what happens next. Because Sandringham shouldn’t feel like the end of anything, but it feels like the end of an era.”
He added:
“It’s a question of, really, what is feasible, what would be lucrative, what would be fun? So, I wrote to Roger and said, come on, let’s have a chat and see what’s there.”
The Who Have No Vision For Their Future Works As A Band
Aside from touring, The Who released a new album titled ‘Who’ in 2019, their first since 2006’s ‘Endless Wire.’ Since its recording was a tough process, Townshend expressed hesitation to create another record as a band.
While saying there were no plans for making a new song or album, the guitarist revealed talking about the future with his bandmate during their 2023 UK tour. His words to Uncut magazine read:
“Roger seemed most concerned about the fact he’s got a dodgy knee that might need surgery. But he’s singing great, and I’m playing as well – and better – than I ever have before. I feel comfortable doing what I’m doing with the band. The interesting thing about our business now is, like the Stones and McCartney, we’re pushing the age envelope as far as it can possibly go.”
With an unclear future, The Who are set to open a new Teenage Cancer Trust concert series at the Royal Albert Hall in London on March 18-20. After these gigs, Daltrey plans to step down from his role as the event’s curator.
