The Who's Final Tour Kickoff: Pete Townshend's Artistic Ambitions and Farewell Performance Highlights
The Who kicked off their final tour, The Song Is Over: The North American Farewell Tour, at Florida's Amerant Bank Arena. Guitarist Pete Townshend, 80, joked about being available for private parties for a hefty fee. The band performed a 23-song set, including the live debut of Going Mobile with Simon Townshend on lead vocals. The track was originally written for Townshend's abandoned Lifehouse project and released on the band's 1971 album Who's Next. As their touring days come to an end, Townshend admitted he would have been happier pursuing art instead of being in The Who.
Townshend revealed that he has always felt The Who were beneath him and that he would have preferred to be an artist. Despite co-founding the band in 1964, he expressed his belief that he would have been happier following his passion for art. Townshend confessed that he felt The Who were a bit silly and beneath him, and he still holds that sentiment. He mentioned that bandmate Roger Daltrey sometimes thinks he should be more grateful, but Townshend stands by his perspective.