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Another Roger interview



This one's from the Dallas-Fort Worth Star-Telegram
at:
http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/4113958.htm

Going mobile
With the Who down to two, this really could be the
British supergroup's farwell tour
MALCOLM MAYHEW
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

When British rock band the Who -- or what's left of
them, singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete
Townshend -- announced they would not cancel a
three-month tour after the June death of bassist John
Entwistle, fans fell into two camps: those who thought
the group should do the tour out of respect to
Entwistle, and those who thought, for the same reason,
the band should ax it.

Fans in the postponement camp point out that the Who
did cancel a tour after the drug-related death of
drummer Keith Moon in 1978. Why didn't they do the
same thing when Entwistle, 57, was found dead June 27
of a heart attack related to cocaine use?

A quick conversation with the 58-year-old Daltrey, who
had known Entwistle since the two were teens, reveals
a possible reason: This could be the last time they
tour as the Who.

Of course, the band has said that before. In 1982,
three years after 11 fans were crushed to death at a
Who concert in Cincinnati, the band released the album
It's Hard, then embarked on what they were calling a
farewell tour. Seven years later, the Who mounted a
glitzy, over-the-top 25th anniversary tour, which
stopped at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

But with Moon and Entwistle both gone, this really
could be it.

"If it is the end, I don't mind," Daltrey says. "We've
had a great career. We'll go out as good as we ever
were. We're the last men standing, blowing out the
lights."

Daltrey says that this tour -- pieced together to
promote two new-old projects: a re-release of the
Who's 1965 landmark album, My Generation, and a
greatest-hits package, Ultimate Collection -- has,
obviously, been difficult -- so difficult, in fact,
that interviewers are told not to ask Daltrey any
Entwistle-related questions.

But Daltrey talks about it on his own.

"It's been hard, and all we can do is take it one day
at a time," he says. "But it's not easy, emotionally."

Support from fans has helped, Daltrey says.

"We really owe [this tour] to the fans," he says.
"Without them recognizing us, we would be nowhere.
They have been so supportive. I should be saying that
I'm a fan of theirs more than they're a fan of ours."

Taking Entwistle's place is Pino Palladino, noted for
his work with Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and B.B. King.

"He's known as the best session player in the world,"
Daltrey says. "A lot of people know him for his
fretless bass work. He's the perfect choice to replace
John. He's tall and stoic, and he could perfectly
mimic what he did, although he doesn't at all."

On drums is Zak Starkey -- Ringo Starr's son -- who
has toured with the Who since 1996.

"He can't create Keith's personality, but Zak has
every bit of fire that Keith had," Daltrey says.
"Technically, I think he's taking us a step forward."
Longtime keyboardist (and native Texan) John "Rabbit"
Bundrick and rhythm guitarist Simon Townshend, Pete's
brother, round out the band.

Daltrey says this re-tweaked lineup won't disappoint
longtime fans.

"Considering we were hit with John's death, the shows
have been amazing," Daltrey says. "The sound is
slightly different, but the energy is there. There's a
new venom coming out of Pete."

That, Daltrey says, is the key to what's kept the band
going -- playing live and playing well.

"I think we're playing as well as we ever have," he
says. "I think the music is better than ever. If I
didn't think we could do it as good as we did, I
wouldn't be doing it. I think that's been our biggest
achievement: the fact that we can do it this well at
this age. When we can't anymore, we'll stop."


=====
-Brian in Atlanta
The Who This Month!
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