The Who’s Future Uncertain as Townshend’s Tinnitus Returns
Photo: Arnold/WireImage
Two weeks ago, during Super Bowl XLIV’s halftime show, the Who rocked out in front of the largest audience of their 46-year career. With 150 million viewers tuning in to the band’s 12-minute medley, the performance was supposed to springboard Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend into a busy 2010. Instead, the Who’s future is uncertain because of Townshend’s returning tinnitus. As the guitarist tells Rolling Stone in our new issue, “If my hearing is going to be a problem, we’re not delaying shows. We’re finished. I can’t really see any way around the issue.”
The band tells RS a planned spring 2010 tour and appearances at the Coachella and New Orleans Jazz Festivals were ditched when Townshend’s tinnitus returned while he was working on his musical Floss. Neil Young put Townshend in touch with an audiologist who recommended an in-ear monitor that may prevent any further damage. Townshend will give the device a test drive when the Who perform at their only scheduled gig of 2010, a March 30th charity show in London where they’ll play Quadrophenia in its entirety. “It’s a good test of Pete’s hearing,” Daltrey tells Rolling Stone. “We won’t know until we try.”
For more on Townshend’s plans for Floss and their big Super Bowl gig, grab the new issue, on newsstands now.
Related Stories:
• The Who Rock Super Bowl XLIV With Explosive Medley of Big Hits
• The Who’s Townshend Reveals the Story Behind Big Super Bowl Set
• Fans React to the Who’s Super Bowl Halftime Performance
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Mod Rocker : Believe it or not, I’m part of the younger generation, I’m 18. However, I agree with you 100%. I’m so sick of hearing that Fall Out Boy, Failures at The Disco, and AFI are the bands of tomorrow. I don’t give a crap about tomorrow, cause Rock & Roll isn’t about tomorrow. My generation of music listeners have lost the values of rock & roll. They decided to put it in a little electronic device called an iPod, and destroyed the entire concept of albums and Rock & Roll. I’m the 1 in every 300 people below the age of 25 who will stand and say my generation of music, is FAR from music. I’d take The Who over Fall Out Boy, I’d take Van Halen (not Hagar) over A.F.I. (or better yet D.I.E.) and would never call anything past 1994 rock & roll. I’ll respect your opinion if you go with a lower number, however I’m a bit of a Green Day fan. Forgive my exception for them.
Mod Rocker: I agree with you 100%
I’d be more than happy if David Gilmour kept playing until he dropped dead on stage.
Why Why Why are we so f*ckin obsessed with youth in this world? The youth have no clue what’s going on with rock and roll.
Here’s a big FU to all you who say things like ‘old rock stars keeping it together with gum and glue’. FU!! Blues musicians played till they dropped dead, so why should the rockers do anything different? Rock and roll is not about grace,civility or acting your age…it’s about ROCK AND ROLL! I’d rather see an elderly Who than a young Nickelback (or insert any lame ass current ‘rock’ band name here) You don’t have to shell out big dollars to go see The Who or The Stones play (I know I wouldn’t) but that’s not the point…the point is if they still lvoe to play, let ‘em play! So what that they’re old…we all will be someday The other option ain’t so hot) I’ll take an old guy like Townshend delivering the goods any day over the ‘legacy’ of a coward like Kurt Cobain any day.Die young and leave agood looking corpse my ass! FU…yeah you…
Hope Pete gets better. Roger…rock on…RIP John & Keith
Seriously tired of old rock stars keeping it together with gum and glue. Enough already. Sit in the sun and read a book. Visit with the grandkids. Take up knitting. Just. Stop. Trying. To. Be. Rock. Stars.
Better to take care of your health first, rather than worry about an upcoming tour. Die-hard fans should understand this perfectly.
Ed | 2/18/2010, 6:10 pm EST
Townshend’s hearing is so bad that at The Superbowl it was not even his guitar you heard. There were people on the side actually playing his parts.
This is an absolute lie. Pete played totally live.
I wish Pete the best. I have seen the Who seven times and they have always been incredible.
Coachella? You mean to tell me I could’ve had Who tix in my possession?? Damn tinnitus!!!
Here’s hoping he gets better. If not, here’s to an amazing career.
Pack it in Pete. Thanks for the memories.
If true, it will be a sad end to one of the most legendary groups of all time.
But, frankly, it’s probably a good thing. Roger’s voice is getting more shot with each gig. And since John’s death, the bands chemistry is off.
Let the past be the past.
I hope their Quadrophenia gig in London goes well, and then retire gracefully.