The Who announces final American tour ‘The Song is Over’
‘The Song is Over’ for legendary British rock band The Who. The band is saying goodbye to fans with their final North American tour.
The song is almost over for the Who, but the memories will certainly linger.
Guitarist Pete Townshend reminisced fondly about the Who’s history in Jersey during the band’s Song is Over tour show Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Prudential Center in Newark.
“It’s sad that this will be our last time through,” Townshend said. “It’s great to be here in Newark. The main memories I have of playing in New Jersey, I’m lucky to say, in the early days is we had this kid on the side of the stage watching us and his name was Bruce Springsteen.”
The PruCenter audience let out a big “Bruuuce” cheer. A teenage Springsteen did see the Who at Convention Hall in Asbury Park in 1967 on their debut U.S. tour with Herman’s Hermits.
“Wow,” Townshend said. “He’s close behind us but he’s still bearing his chest.”
Tuesday’s show was the second of the tour, and Townshend made a point to say it will be the last.
“We may appear with other artists, we may do similar stuff together Roger and I but we will not be touring as the Who again,” Townshend said.
It was a noble departure and a thrill to see and hear Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey perform some of the most iconic music in rock ’n’ roll. Most of the songs were originally recorded with late Keith Moon on drums and John Entwistle on bass, two of the most singular talents in rock history. Tuesday’s setlist zeroed on in the band’s big, expansive post’’60s FM radio hits, and the eight-member ensemble, which included Townshend’s brother Simon Townshend singing “Going Mobile,” put their stamp on the classics.
Pete was windmilling on his guitar and had full voice for the songs he sang on, including the lead for the 1982 hit “Eminence Front.”
“Join this (blanky) little party, you got to dress to kill,” sang the ever wry Townshend at the end of the song with the music dropped out.
Daltrey, however, labored on stage early in the show. The 81-year old seemed stiff and vocally reticent at the onset. He stopped a performance of “Behind Blue Eyes” 25 seconds into the song for a cup of water.
Townshend didn’t seem happy.
“You could be drowning, it’s the beginning of the (blanking) song,” said Townshend, who then addressed Daltrey off mic.
“I’ll finish the cup of water,” said Daltrey, non-plussed.
Daltrey seemed a bit more buoyant after the exchange. He was fairly majestic on “Love Reign O’er Me” and by the time for “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” the legend delivered one of his remarkable yells after the song’s extended break to loud applause from the 12,000 in the audience.
Glory attained on a night of new memories.
BBT and the Boxmasters, fronted by actor Billy Bob Thornton, opened the show.
“We’re honored to death to be standing before you here,” said Thorton from the stage.
The Who plays Thursday, Aug. 21 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia and return to New Jersey for a Saturday, Aug. 28 show at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The tour is scheduled to conclude Sept. 28 in Las Vegas.
The Who Newark setlistI Can’t ExplainSubstituteWho Are YouThe SeekerLove Ain’t for Keepin’Pinball WizardSee Me, Feel MeBehind Blue EyesEminence FrontMy GenerationYou Better You BetGoing MobileThe Real MeI’m One5:15Love, Reign O’er MeBaba O’RileyWon’t Get Fooled AgainThe Song Is OverTea & Theatre
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@app.com