Pete Townshend no longer feels like a member of The Who.
The guitarist recently sat down with Mojo magazine for an interview and reflected on what he thinks about The Who right now:
“The interesting thing about Roger and I is it’s not a band.”
He also talked about his current relationship with Roger Daltrey:
“[It’s] better than it’s ever been.”
Pete Thinks It’s Daltrey’s Band Now
Townshend said that Daltrey picks The Who members and that they are no longer a band:
“It’s a group if musicians that Roger has chosen. I have not chosen any of the musicians I tour with – not even [drummer] Zak [Starkey]. When Roger brings me onstage I am filling the shoes of a guy called Frank Simes, who Roger tours with solo, and who is a guitar player and musical director.”
The rocker isn’t completely happy with the situation, but he’s still performing, no matter who is in the band:
“So I am happy to do it. Someone reading this will say, ‘Stop f*cking complaining, Townshend, and put a band together of people you do want to use.’ But that scares the sh*t out of me.”
The Who Might Do A Farewell Tour
Although he didn’t pick the current band, Pete thinks they’re talented. He feels comfortable performing with them. In March, Townshend told the New York Times that The Who might do a farewell tour to earn more money. He shared their plans in the interview:
“It feels to me like there’s one thing the Who can do, and that’s a final tour where we play every territory in the world and then crawl off to die.”
He also mentioned that their final tour would be more about making money than celebrating their history:
“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.”
In December 2023, Townshend talked about discussing the future of the band with Roger Daltrey after their last orchestra tour ended at Sandringham Estate. Daltrey also expressed uncertainty about the band’s future in a January 2024 interview, saying he’s ready to move on from that part of his life.