The Who Tees Up For Charity

Called “The Who Signature Series: Edition XXVII,” designed by Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey and priced at $26, the limited-edition tee is pure Who and depicts Townshend’s classic “windmill” guitar technique against a somewhat tattered Union Jack. The front of the shirt also features a Who backstage pass while the phrase “That’s Who” is printed on the back of the tee.

And if the new T-shirt isn’t enough Who for you, there’s also a Hard Rock Café / The Who guitar pin, priced at $12.

Fifteen percent of each sale goes to City of Hope, the charity working to conquer life-threatening diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. Located near Los Angeles, City of Hope is one of 40 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

The Who has a very special relationship with the folks at the Hard Rock. In fact, it was an impulse move by Townshend more than 30 years ago that led to the Hard Rock’s line of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia.

As the story goes, Townshend was in the original Hard Rock Café in London one night when he noticed Eric Clapton’s guitar hanging on the wall. Clapton had asked that his guitar be hung to mark his favorite barstool and the club’s management obliged him.

Then one week later the Hard Rock Café received a package from Townshend. Inside was one of his own guitars along with a note stating, “Mine’s as good as his! Love, Pete.”

“Roger and I have a rich history with Hard Rock International and it’s an honor to join some of the music’s greatest legends for this important cause,” Townshend said of the new garment. “It’s amazing that our design on a T-shirt can literally help save lives.”

The new shirt is available at all Hard Rock Cafes, hotels and casinos as well as the company’s Web site. For more information, all you need do is click here for HardRock.com.