What? No Who? Here’s why

As if fighting Father Time isn’t hard enough for aging rockers, another nasty foe felled British legends the Who at Ford Amphitheatre Tuesday: bronchitis.

After less than a minute of the opening song I Can’t Explain, guitarist Pete Townshend waved off the band, the group fell silent and ailing singer Roger Daltrey, 63, promptly walked off the stage.

After a few minutes of discussion in the shadows — and with the crowd of 9,000 murmuring restrained dissent — Townshend returned to the stage and cancelled the show.

This was the first show the Who have cancelled like this in 40 years, according to Simon Townshend, Pete’s brother, who also plays in the band.

"I just talked to Roger and he can barely speak," 61-year-old Pete Townshend told the crowd. "I tried to get him to come out here, but he’s really, really sick."

Townshend said the cause was "bronchitis," although band officials did not confirm Daltrey’s malady.

Perhaps calming the masses, Townshend quickly announced that the show has been rescheduled for March 25 at Ford Amphitheatre. Tuesday’s tickets will be honored for that show. Refunds also will be available at point of purchase. Refunds will be granted until March 25.

As fans of the band wandered out of the venue, there were scattered boos and dejected harrumphs, but for the most part, the crowd was collectively understanding.

"Twenty five years ago, we would have had a riot," said Joe Backes, 45, a big Who fan from Spring Hill. "We’re older and more mellow now."

Formed 40-plus years ago, the Who, along with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, helped spearhead the industry-shaking British Invasion. Ironically, as the band tried to play I Can’t Explain on Tuesday night, black-and-white images of the boys in their 1965 salad days flashed on a video screen behind them.

Go figure: The Who famously sang about hoping to "die before I get old." They never said anything about hoping for bronchitis.

Comments

[David Asher]

They probably should have cancelled the show before they walked out on stage. However I saw The Who a couple months ago in Detroit and they were incredible!
They gave me much hope that as John Lennon said "Age is irrevelant to self expression". Daltrys scream in "Wont Get Fooled Again" sent chills up my spine. Go the the next show and see for yourself. It will be worth the wait. This is the last tour for The Who I am sure and well worth seeing. PS to the geezer thats talking mess about Pete, bollocks to you you silly little freak!

[James Mc Fadden]

All of the negitave comments on The Who were made by total IDIOTS that don't know what they are talking about because they don't know what music is. They think music is made with a drum machine & a record player neither of wich is a musical instrument, Did you ever hear any rappers say "Hey Dog let me get a E" no you wont , because you cant get any note or chord from a record player. So all you Idiots out there keep listining to your garbage and leave Rock N Roll alone. You will never understand
James

[Mark]

We saw The Who on Sunday night at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island and they were awesome - you would never have believed their ages. I think you guys just got unlucky and I bet it killed Roger to come off stage knowing all the agist taunts that would be thrown his way. Give them another chance on the 25th.

[GlennS.]

What is it with the this area and abbreviated concerts? Led Zeppelin famously cancelled a concert after a couple of songs at the old Tampa Stadium in the 70's, thanks to bad weather. Cocteau Twins cut a Bayfront Center concert short in the 90's thanks to illness. Now this...

Okay, so maybe three incidents in four decades isn't exactly an epidemic, but it does create a little deja vu!

[James]

Why do stupid people like Mike always demand that old rock performers quit? I've seen the who about 10 times in their so-called "old age period" and they have rocked harder and sounded better then most of the current crap that's out there now. You don't see blues or jazz performers being told to retire and many of them play well into their 80's. The Who are playing a lot of material from their "new" CD, "Endless Wire", which sounds like one of their best in years, on the current tour. Also, Daltry had bronchitis, which has nothing to do with age. One more thing to "Moron Mike"- what spiritual path tells one to act their age? If you REALLY saw the Who in 67' you obviously aren't any spring chicken yourself. I'd like to know what profession you are in since you must be much too old to still be doing it, by your logic, right?

[Mikel]

I attended 8 shows by the Who, 1967 to 1976, and relative to thier current tour, I'd like to say:"GIVE IT UP, GUYS!!!" STICK WITH THE STUDIO, out OF SIGHT, so your music doesn't get negatively affected by the pathetic images of you guys trying to NOT be old--you ARE old!!! And continuing to try and "bleed" every last penny out of OLD material that's NOT been relevant for 30 years, well, Pete, THAT sucks as well as basically contradicts your entire/expressed "spiritual path," etc.."ACT YOUR AGE !!" suddenly becomes another of Mother's mumblings that now make sense..

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[Mikel]

I attended 8 shows by the Who, 1967 to 1976, and relative to thier current tour, I'd like to say:"GIVE IT UP, GUYS!!!" STICK WITH THE STUDIO, out OF SIGHT, so your music doesn't get negatively affected by the pathetic images of you guys trying to NOT be old--you ARE old!!! And continuing to try and "bleed" every last penny out of OLD material that's NOT been relevant for 30 years, well, Pete, THAT sucks as well as basically contradicts your entire/expressed "spiritual path," etc.."ACT YOUR AGE !!" suddenly becomes another of Mother's mumblings that now make sense..

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[Clem Cadiddlehopper]

Did Roger have his teeth in for that photo?

[Pete Bogs]

Roger's looking a bit verklempt in that photo... I had considered going to this, but with The Police and all the other shows coming up, decided to pass... glad I did... plus, having seen The Who twice before, I kind of feel I may have already seen their best... they've lost a band member in between each show... maybe it's time to let it go?

[Pat]

The Who should be the first to realize that the world is in need of a music revolution. Note to the band...Please retire and never show your wrinkled faces again.

[RMStringer]

The intro at the top about the owner of this blog is rediculous!! "His CD Collection is much bigger and better than yours." LOL!! He has never seen my collection.

[Don]

John Sullivan, You are a loser and don't know what the hell you are talking about. Every thing you stated is a lie and untrue. It's YOU people need to look out for! Trekie Freak Loser!!!

[James]

Mr. Sullivan, you are a sick individual. None of what you have stated is true. Charges of possessing child pornography against Pete Townshend were dropped. He is certainly not a "Professed Child Molester". The Who will also not be in the area for the next two weeks, retard. People like you are what gives this area such a bad name. Go back to watching "Hee Haw", moron!

[John Sullivan]

Pete, a professed Child molester who got a free pass because of his stature and fame in England, then smiled in anticipation of the next two weeks in the Tampa Bay Area, America's haven for sickos like himself. Parents, don't let your children out of your sight!