WHO'S NEXT FROM UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC
Endless Wire, the band's first studio album in 25 years, will hit stores Oct. 31, which will be a treat and a trick.
Universal Motown Records Group Chairman/CEO Mel Lewinter was so excited he busted up a guitar and turned over his drum kit: “We are thrilled beyond words to welcome The Who to Universal Republic. They are truly one of the quintessential rock bands of all time. Larger than life, never compromising The Who’s profound insight and willingness to push the musical envelope embodies everything vital about the indispensable music culture they helped spawn. Is Keith Moon still in the band?”
Added Universal Republic President Monte Lipman: “The Who not only defined their g-g-g-generation, but every g-g-g-g-generation of artists that followed with their g-g-g-g-genre-defying mixture of rock, R&B and conceptual breakthroughs. We’re honored they’ve chosen Universal Republic and are certain their new album is poised to reinvigorate the music world all over again. 'Pictures of Lily' is my favorite song about masturbation of all time.”
Commented UMG Chairman/CEO Doug Morris: “I join Mel and Monte in welcoming The Who to the Universal Republic family, and look forward to the next great chapter in one of the most indomitable and innovative legacies in the history of rock & roll.”
Universal Republic will release Endless Wire, the first new Who studio album since 1982's It's Hard, on Halloween, Oct. 31. The disc will include all new songs, as well as music culled from a 29-minute operatic work, described by leader Pete Townshend as “a mini-opera inspired by his novella The Boy Who Heard Music.” Townshend has made the book available online at http://www.petetownshend.co.uk/projects/.
The recent Wire & Glass EP, available only on import in the U.S., featuring music from the mini-opera, and one new full-length song, “Mirror Door,” all of which will be available on the new studio album, has garnered rave reviews for the comeback.
Townshend, who along with vocalist Roger Daltrey has been the long-standing dynamic force behind The Who (drummer Moon died in 1978 and bassist John Entwistle died in 2002) indicates that the new material is definitely on par with what Who fans have come to expect from the legendary band.
Pete and Roger described themselves as “fit and ready to rock,” as they announced their first world tour in almost 20 years. The Who will embark on a whirlwind trek that will find them hitting the U.S. in September, kicking off in Philadelphia on Sept. 12, with more shows to follow in U.S. and Canada in October and November, as well as South America, East Asia, Europe and Australia in 2007. The band’s touring lineup is also to include Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey on drums, and Pete's brother Simon Townshend on guitar, Pino Palladino on bass and keyboardist John Bundrick.
The Who were inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 after bursting onto the scene in the mid-'60s armed with the coming of age anthem “My Generation.” Townshend is recognized as one of rock’s most prescient songwriters, penning some of the most influential and recognizable oeuvres in rock for more than four decades.
The bande have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, including the 1969 groundbreaking rock opera Tommy (which won five Tony awards for its Broadway adaptation in 1993), 1971’s pummeling Live at Leeds which was recently voted best live album of all time in the U.K., 1973’s Quadrophenia, 1978’s Who Are You, and their final studio album, 1982’s It’s Hard. Known for their legendary live shows as much as their conceptual and innovative album and song structures, they vie with the Rolling Stones for the title of "World’s Greatest Rock & Roll band."
Townshend and Daltrey reunited for the 2005 Live 8 Concert in London’s Hyde Park, as well as the 9/11 Benefit concert at Madison Square Garden. This summer, The Who offered a glimpse of their upcoming U.S. live show with a string of well received, sold-out concerts in Europe.
