Pete Townshend Hints at End of the Road for The Who

After 50 years, 11 studio albums and endless gigs around the world, guitarist Pete Townshend confirmed in an interview that The Who will most likely see the end of its run this year.

The bold statement arises during The Who's world tour and rumors of arguments between Townshend and frontman Roger Daltrey. "Roger and I were both so upset when the English newspapers decided that we were feuding — big headlines: 'Roger And Townshend Feuding'. Because it's just not the case," Townshend detailed to Mojo about the alleged quarrel.

Placing the rumors aside, Townshend details reasons for the band's wrap-up. "I think I will stop after this year," he explained. "When this tour is over, we'll probably both go our separate ways. So it's to demonstrate that even this particular gang can grow old—not necessarily gracefully, but can grow old ungracefully, or whatever it is that we're doing."

The 70-year-old musician assured fans that the eventual split would be nothing but harmonious and that the bonds within the band are as strong as they've ever been. "The acceptance of each other's eccentricities and differences has brought us to a really genuine and compassionate relationship, which can only be described as love. And that's something to demonstrate, because this is two old guys in rocking chairs. As Roger says, we're lucky that we're not in some old people's home and that we can do this now."

However, Townshend was quick to refute any ideas of collaborations between the two. "I think Roger and I will do odd things together," continuing, "I hope that one day I can write him an album of songs that suit him and the record company won't demand that we call it the f*cking Who, but I've got a bad feeling about it."

Townshend has been putting the focus back onto his solo work, with the release of a new track titled "How Can I Help You." "I think that if I wrote Roger a bunch of good songs, our manager would say, 'Why not call it The Who? We'll sell double as many records!'" he said.

The Who are touring around Europe and will headline celebrations during Sunday's Glastonbury Festival, notes Rolling Stone. Before kicking off its North American tour, the band will play alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall on July 5.

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Pete Townshend, The Who