The Who’s guitarist considers the singer to be a modern-day rockstar, but cannot understand the reason for such long tours
The trajectory of The Who is not exactly marked by being a long touring band. The number of shows reduced from the first half of the 1970s onwards, with notable exceptions, but which still did not change the situation.
That’s why, Pete Townshend just don’t understand why younger artists like Taylor Swift — and even contemporaries like the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan — they need to dedicate themselves so much to the shows. Whether due to the number of presentations or the duration, since Swift promotes shows lasting more than 3 hours.
At the age of 79, the experienced guitarist of The Who expressed his question during an interview with Record Collector (via Guitar.com). He stated:
Why does being a rockstar have to be so hard? Why Taylor Swift Do you have to work so much? Why Bob Dylan Do you have to be on the road 365 days a year? Why do the Rolling Stones have to go out (on tour) when they’re all in their 80s? What makes them do this?”
Pete made it clear that it does not belong to this context. He comments:
I’m not in that group. I don’t hate being on stage – I’m actually good at it – but obviously I don’t see it the same way as Taylor Swift see this.”
The easiest — although not definitive — answer to the questions of Pete Townshend it would be the money. THE “The Eras Tour” of Taylor Swiftfor example, has a projected revenue of approximately US$2 billion, double what was the most profitable tour in history until the middle of 2024: the “Farewell Yellow Brick Road”which marked the farewell of Elton John from the stage and grossed US$939 million.
The singer’s tour began in March 2023 and should end in December 2024, after traveling through North and South America, Asia, Oceania, Europe and returning to the first continent. Superproduction is divided into 10 acts, which represent the studio albums of Taylor.
Pete Townshend and “rockstar” Taylor Swift
It may cause some surprise that Pete Townshend include Taylor Swift among rock stars, but it is not the first time that the guitarist of The Who refers to the singer in this way. In a 2019 interview with The New York Times (via website Igor Miranda), the musician commented that today’s rock stars don’t necessarily rock.
Pete stated:
But what is rock? Rock is hip-hop. Rock is probably Taylor Swift. Rock is, I dare say, Adele and Ed Sheeran. They dared to take on this mantle and delivered content. They do something spectacular as artists. Not just as recording artists. If that includes dancers, if that includes a lot of video, then they’re cheating. These names know this. We know that and the public knows that.”
The most recent tour of The Whotitled “The Who Hits Back!”had 46 shows and took place between 2022 and 2023. The band also made two performances in 2024 for a charity event, with an orchestra. His latest studio album is Who (2019).
Collaborated: André Luiz Fernandes.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
