In 2025, The Who launched what they’re calling their “The Song Is Over” North American Farewell Tour, spanning August through September. The tour is intended to serve as a final salute to fans, featuring much-loved hits alongside a few curveballs in the setlist.
But even as they roll out stadium shows, tensions and changes behind the scenes are capturing headlines.
Miscommunications, Reconciliations & Band Dynamics
One of the more talked-about developments is the back-and-forth involving longtime drummer Zak Starkey. Earlier in 2025, Starkey was announced to be out of the band following a dispute over his performance at a Royal Albert Hall concert. Soon after, Townshend publicly acknowledged that the issue stemmed from communication failures — especially given his own recent knee surgery and limited preparation time. The outcome? Starkey was reinstated.
This episode underscores another long-running theme in their relationship: communication has rarely been easy. In a candid recent interview with AARP the Magazine, Townshend admitted, “We don’t communicate very well.” He described Daltrey and himself as “very different” in how they approach performances and engagement. The differences can spark friction, but they also seem to fuel creativity between them.
Health, Age & Artistic Futures
Age and physical challenges are now part of the narrative. At 81, Daltrey has spoken publicly about his hearing loss and vision issues, though he remains resolute about keeping his voice intact. At one London charity concert, he quipped about “the joys of getting old” and joked, “I also now have got the joy of going blind. Fortunately I still have my voice.” Meanwhile, Townshend recently underwent knee replacement surgery, attributing the need to dancing.
These realities haven’t dampened their ambitions. In his AARP interview, Townshend revealed he has around 140 tracks in different stages of completion and intends to write more — possibly for Daltrey’s solo projects if The Who’s collective path narrows. But when asked about recording a new Who album, he sounded ambivalent. Daltrey, for his part, has expressed openness to co-writing with Townshend — but only under specific conditions.
Even as they move through this “farewell” period, both men hint that this might not be the absolute end. Daltrey has suggested residencies or special projects as options after the tour ends. Townshend, while more cautious, has voiced hope for continued collaboration: “If he doesn’t want to do a Who album, I’d love to write songs for him.”
And despite the tensions, the legacy of The Who still commands serious respect. As Townshend put it, The Who is “a brand rather than a band” — a living institution that owes something to both its history and its fans.
So yes, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey are involved in big moves right now — navigating age, health, creative differences, and the challenge of saying goodbye. But even their parting steps may carry echoes that last far beyond the final encore.
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