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Daltrey Takes ‘Tommy’ On The Road
An announcement posted on TheWho.com says The Who has never played every single song in Tommy when performing the piece. While fans who saw The Who tour in support of the album during the late ‘60s or caught the band resurrecting the work during a 1989 tour might disagree, there may be at least one song that hasn’t been included in many live Tommy performances. That would be “Welcome,” a number for which Pete Townshend and Daltrey have expressed disdain for in the past and was purposely left out of the band’s ’89 setlist.
Now, after performing Tommy at the Royal Albert Hall during a benefit for Teenage Cancer Trust March 25, Daltrey and his band are taking the messianic pinball wizard on a road trip, playing U.K. venues throughout July. The tour begins in Alcester at Ragley Hall July 3 and includes Gateshead’s Sage July 4; Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium July 6 and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall July 7.
Other stops include Nottingham (July 9); Bristol (July 12); Hampshire (July 16); London (July 21); Norwich (July 22) and Exeter (July 24).
“Great to see Roger performing Tommy with his band in 2011,” Townshend said in a statement posted on TheWho.com. “I will be there in spirit and Roger has my complete and most loving support. Roger is touring his unique concert version of Tommy using his faithful presentation of the original work as the backbone for a set of wider material. It is wonderful to hear the way Roger and his new band reinterpret the old Who songs.”
Ticket sales begin April 29. Visit TheWho.com for more information.