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The Who Clashes and Conquers at Hollywood Bowl, Future of Rock‍ Icons⁤ Remains⁣ Uncertain

HOLLYWOOD BOWL, ⁤CA – The⁤ who delivered a performance at the Hollywood Bowl this year, but beneath the iconic sounds ⁢of rock history, a familiar⁢ tension simmers between ⁣bandmates ⁣Roger Daltrey and Pete ​Townshend, casting doubt on the legendary ⁣group’s future. Despite Daltrey’s insistence ⁤”We’re not stopping being a⁢ band,” the two members ⁢hold⁢ diverging visions⁣ for The Who’s path forward.

Townshend,⁣ who ⁢underwent a knee operation⁣ this year, openly acknowledged the discord, predicting, “Roger will‍ refute ‌everything I say.” Daltrey didn’t disappoint, quipping that Townshend “needs to be ⁢kept ⁤on his toes. Otherwise he’ll just⁢ sleep on his yacht.”

Recent lineup⁣ changes have further highlighted the friction. The ⁤departure of long-time drummer Zak Starkey sparked conflicting accounts.Townshend stated, “Roger⁣ didn’t want him in the band-they’re still ​good friends, so I don’t know ⁢what’s going on.”⁤ daltrey‍ countered, claiming both he‍ and Townshend‌ jointly decided to “freshen up our sound” and that‍ Starkey “didn’t quite⁤ fit into ‌that,” later adding, “Zak didn’t help matters….He can be a ​bit of ⁢a loose cannon, you know,” despite initially calling ‍Starkey “like ⁤a son‍ to me.”

The dynamic between Daltrey and Townshend ​has always been complex. ​Townshend ‍described them as too dissimilar to socialize much, despite⁤ onstage banter that ​often pokes ⁣fun at journalists attempting to decipher ⁣their connection.He reflected on their history, saying,‍ “He was my protector⁣ and he was⁤ my first⁤ boss. I’ve tried to serve him wiht grate ‌songs⁤ and support though I may have been a bit of a bully sometimes.”

Townshend now wonders if a⁤ (mostly) retired Who could alter their relationship.”Maybe it’s‍ time to ⁤let ⁤go of the Who ‌brand,” ⁤he said. “It hasn’t belonged to us for many years-it belongs to the industry, the press, the fans. I wonder whether Roger and I will find something​ new ​with the Who legacy being lifted⁤ from us.” He even ​offered to wriet songs for ‍Daltrey as a solo artist, acknowledging the difficulty of crafting⁤ material under The Who ⁢banner that lives up to classics like “Won’t ⁤Get Fooled Again,” “Behind Blue Eyes,” “Baba” and “O’Riley.”

Daltrey,however,rejected the⁤ idea of⁣ songwriting outside the band context. “Listen, I started The ​bloody Who. I’m entitled to keep it going as long as I want.” He believes another Who album ⁢is possible if Townshend would collaborate with ⁤him, suggesting ‍their combined songwriting could be “something special.” Daltrey has even ‍taken the liberty of revising ⁤some of Townshend’s lyrics,including those for “The Song is‍ Over,” which he also shortened ⁢for ⁢the current​ tour,stating,”It never worked ​on stage as a complete song,and the lyrics had to ​move on.”

Townshend also⁣ revealed a⁢ personal ‍struggle, admitting, “like every f-ing rock star in the‍ world, I got⁤ addicted to oxytocin,” ‌following his operation, and subsequently sought help ⁤for depression, now⁤ “feeling quite chipper.”

Despite the internal ‍conflicts,one thing remains clear: the story of the Who,both musically ‌and personally,is far from over.