Pete Townshend has made it clear that once The Who wrap up their farewell tour across North America, he’s ready to step fully into his solo career.
The legendary guitarist and songwriter is currently on the road with The Who for what is billed as their final U.S. tour, running through August and September. Along the way, the band is hitting some of America’s most iconic venues, including Madison Square Garden in New York, Fenway Park in Boston, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Their last scheduled date together will be September 28th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Speaking to AARP, Townshend reflected on this chapter in The Who’s history. “We reserve the right to pop up again, but I think one thing is very clear: that at our age, we will not,” he admitted, suggesting this really is the end of an era.
But for Townshend, it’s also a beginning. He’s been quietly working for years on The Age of Anxiety, a solo album inspired by his 2019 novel of the same name. “I’ve got 26 songs,” he revealed, explaining that while not entirely autobiographical, the music draws deeply from his personal journey through addiction and recovery. “It’s led me to a place where I feel that I can write a character, a genuine, realistic character [based on myself].”
On top of that, Townshend also has an astonishing “140 tracks ready to go” outside of the album. “I want to continue to be creative,” he said. “I’ve got songs in all kinds of development.”
Looking forward, Townshend hinted that he may branch into more intimate performances. “I plan to experiment with some one-man shows,” he shared. Still, he stressed that his partnership with Roger Daltrey won’t disappear entirely. “Roger and I certainly [will] work together for charity and possibly for special projects,” Townshend explained. “Together, we represent all aspects of The Who legacy. I’m the songwriter and creator, but Roger’s been the driving force, keeping The Who band and his brand on track. Even with his solo work, we’ll continue to work together, even if we rarely socialize.”
For fans, it may be bittersweet to see The Who bow out, but Townshend’s plans show that his creative fire is far from burning out.
