The Who plan North American tour, album in fall
By Jonathan Cohen
NEW YORK (Billboard) – The Who will kick off a fall North
American tour September 12 in Philadelphia. Seventeen dates for
the outing were announced Thursday by principals Pete Townshend
and Roger Daltrey via satellite from Berlin.
The duo also performed acoustic versions of the new song
“Mike Post Theme” and the classic “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”
The group is planning on sprinkling in a handful of special
shows, which Townshend said could include complete performances
of such rock operas as “Tommy” or “Quadrophenia.” Some dates
may also be held in smaller venues.
The band has said 40 rarities are in consideration for the
tour set list, although Townshend noted, “We may find other
ways to do this stuff, like on a Web cast.”
The tour will coincide with the release of the Who’s first
new album since 1982′s “It’s Hard,” which is tentatively titled
“Who 2″ and will be released October 23 internationally. In
addition to “Mike Post Theme,” the set is expected to feature
the song “Man in a Purple Dress,” which Townshend likened to “a
Bob Dylan song from the early days.”
“Pete’s music, for me, is still a driving force in my
life,” Daltrey said, adding that the new songs have “the
Townshend magic.”
After the North American tour wraps in December, the Who
will make its first-ever appearance in South America in early
2007, followed by visits to the Far East, Australia and, in
late spring, Europe.
Here are the Who’s North American tour dates:
September 12: Philadelphia (Wachovia Center)
September 13: Wantagh, N.Y. (Jones Beach)
September 15: Ottawa, Ontario (Scotiabank Place)
September 16: Boston (TD Banknorth Garden)
September 18: New York (Madison Square Garden)
September 21: Holmdel, N.J. (PNC Bank Arts Center)
September 25: Chicago (United Center)
September 29: Auburn Hills, Mich. (Palace of Auburn Hills)
September 30: London, Ontario (Labatt Center)
October 3: Winnipeg, Manitoba (MTS Center)
October 5: Calgary, Alberta (Pengrowrth Saddledome)
October 6: Edmonton, Alberta (Rexall Place)
October 10: Portland, Ore. (Rose Garden)
October 11: Seattle (Key Arena)
November 5: Los Angeles (Hollywood Bowl)
December 4: Toronto (Air Canada Center)
Reuters/Billboard