LONDON - The Who famously sang "I hope I die before I get old" in "My Generation," but the legendary British rockers aren't allowing age to prevent them from one final lap around North America this summer.
The band fronted by singer Roger Daltrey, 81, and guitarist Pete Townshend, who turns 80 May 19, will kick off the aptly named The Song is Over North American Farewell Tour - billed as a "truly grand finale" - Aug. 16 just outside of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and wrap in Las Vegas Sept. 28.
The 16-show run, named for a song on The Who's classic 1971 album "Who's Next," will visit cities including Atlantic City, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia and Seattle and showcase hits from the band's six-decade career.
Tickets will be available during a Citi presale (citientertainment.com) and the Whooligan Fan Club starting from 10 a.m. local time May 13 through 10 p.m. local time May 15. The general on-sale begins at 10 a.m. local time May 16 at thewho.com/tour.
Fans can join the Whooligan Fan Club at thewho.com/fanclub to receive exclusive merchandise including the previously unreleased album "Live at the Oval 1971," in addition to early access to tickets.
On May 8, at a 35-minute press conference at the Iconic Images Gallery in London, Townshend was joined by Daltrey via video (the singer's wife is recovering from an injury) to talk about the proverbial end of the road and the importance of the U.S. to the band's career - an epic resume that boasts 58 singles with many such as "I Can't Explain," "I Can See for Miles," "Pinball Wizard," "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O'Riley" ingrained in music history.
"It was every young musician's dream to make it in America," Daltrey said. "For America to take us into its hearts meant so much."
Townshend recalled how playing shows in New York in The Who's early years helped the band understand American audiences.
"We were indoctrinated into the way American music fans were different. This sense of, they have a good time, but they really, really, really listened," he said.
Townshend is also famously curmudgeonly about touring and acknowledged again that while he's "never been crazy" about road life, the "hypnotic" effect of being on stage was enough enticement.
The band's connection to America was also recognized with the football helmet featured on the sleeve of 1974's "Odds & Sods" album - recently returned from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - on display at the press conference.
While the setlist is expected to spotlight catalog favorites - Daltrey mentioned "Baby O'Riley" and "Behind Blue Eyes" for certain - both musicians nixed any suggestion of fans picking songs for the band to perform.
"I'm not that good at remembering lyrics. I need to rehearse things," Townshend said.
Despite The Who's British roots, it appears their only road run will take place in North America.
When asked if the band will add a European leg to the tour, Daltrey joked, "Let's see if we survive this one."
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