The Who sees live music as the future of rock

duncan's picture

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Call them old fashioned, but the founding members of The Who don't think the Internet is the future of rock, are unhappy about radio's narrow musical focus, and convinced live music is what it is all about.

Announcing their 2007 European Tour on Thursday, including a headlining slot at Britain's Glastonbury festival in June, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend said playing big venues remained the best way of showcasing their music to the world.

"The Internet promises a lot of things - some it delivers, some it doesn't," Townshend, 61, told a news conference, adding one thing it does offer is the ability to sell tickets.

 

"It is probably the most powerful informational, promotional tool today. It's a very effective, focused machine for promotion. I look forward to using it for live events, there's a big scope for live music and live events."

But Townshend said live music is what it is all about today, with the British rock band that dates back to the 1960s embarking on a 29-date tour starting on May 16 in Lisbon.

"Festivals are really important, I'm not really into the Internet," Daltrey, 62, told a news conference which was live webcast on www.thewhotour.com.

The Who's role in rock history, assured by songs such as "My Generation," made them into one of the great live bands during the 1960s and 1970s before the death of drummer Keith Moon. Bassist John Entwistle died five years ago.

Last year the two remaining members -- Townshend and Daltrey -- began their first world tour for more than 20 years and released an album "Endless Wire" which, they complained on Thursday, got little airplay.

Daltrey accused radio stations of preferring personality to musical knowledge among its presenters.

"It's a fact that it's very hard for bands in our position to get airplay. It's a fact for every band," he said.

"There are really few DJs who love music. The music is selected by computer. There are very few music fans running radio shows."

 

Townshend was the group's main source of songs and he remains the more opinionated of the pair. Daltrey spent much of the conference listening to his younger friend expound.

For Daltrey the music is what drives him. For Townshend, it is the audience.

Their often rocky relationship is now on an even keel, according to Daltrey -- and on the up, according to Townshend -- as age eats away at their ability to wind each other up.

"We weren't a gang band. We weren't brought together by a love of common music. What drew us together, I think, was a love of show business," said Townshend.

"We've known each other since school years and, after losing (Moon and Entwistle) we know we have each other. It's great to have that friendship, that relationship. To have friends who go back 45 years - it's very cool."

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=2007-02-08T195207Z_01_L08112753_RTRUKOC_0_US-WHO.xml&pageNumber=1&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage1 

duncan's picture

Re: The Who sees live music as the future of rock

I don't disagree with them on this but I think that the headline should read "The Who sees live music as the future of The Who". Older bands who are not attracting new audiences need to rely on the live shows because nobody cares about new releases from them and the audience that they have aren't buying stuff they already own, so of course The Who thinks live concerts are where it's at.

Brendan's picture

Re: The Who sees live music as the future of rock

I love some of the who's stuff I heard "let love reign on me yesterday" Its such a great song. However, I agree with Duncan. I've heard their new record and i hate to say it, but its really bad. The reason they don't get airplay is because the fail to be relevant. Look at u2 and the Chilli Peppers they keep coming up with albums and remain successful. Some bands just burn out and can't write anymore.

JohnD's picture

Re: The Who sees live music as the future of rock

The Chili Peppers may be successful, bu I find their last few releases unlistenable, despite the return of John Frusciante, whose guitar playing I love.

You might consider the last Who release "really bad" (and I don't even consider it to be a product of "The Who"), but at least they tried something different, and I applaud them for it. There is some very good music on it, and also some cringe-worthy moments. I'd still rather listen to it than any of the American Idol-inspired rubbish that passes for pop music today.

Were you expecting another "Who's Next" or "Quadrophenia"? That band is as dead as Moon and Entwistle.


It's a boy Mrs. Walker, it's a boy...

paxton's picture

Re: The Who sees live music as the future of rock

Townshend is just pissed. Every time he looks at a computer he gets arrested, probably thinks the rest of us have the same problem with 'distractions'.

Brendan's picture

Re: The Who sees live music as the future of rock

He was doing research.

JohnD's picture

Re: The Who sees live music as the future of rock

Don't start that Townshend pedophile crap with me. Believe the tabloids if you wish. Check with Scotland Yard if you want the real story.

Jesus that shit pisses me off. As you might guess, I am in an incredibly bad mood. Between work, a ferocious cold and the fact that my PC crapped itself yesterday, I am not happy.

I wish I could play hockey tonight, because I could just destroy someone right now.

JohnD's picture

Re: The Who sees live music as the future of rock

I'm feeling much better today, physically and spiritually.
Thanks to oranges, a couple of tubes of Airborne, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Move and the Sex Pistols.

I no longer want to destroy... passers by. Sorry I was a poop.

duncan's picture

Re: The Who sees live music as the future of rock

John do you see live music as the future?

JohnD's picture

Re: The Who sees live music as the future of rock

For aging "classic rock" bands, yes, because they can trot out the hits at exorbitant prices before their devoted fans who make the shows a big event. These tours make a ton of money.

For the musical folks in the real world, Internet marketing and music delivery is probably a far more cost-effective (hell, more effective period) way of doing business.

Unfortunately, I think this prevents upcoming bands from honing their live performance, stagecraft and songs. To me, nothing is better than playing live, "in the moment" as actors might say.