The Who have revealed the guest lineup for their final North American run, The Song Is Over Tour. Special guests include Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters, Billy Idol, Booker T. Jones, Candlebox, Feist, Joe Bonamassa, the Joe Perry Project, Tom Cochrane and ZZ Ward on select dates. A second Chicago show for September 9 at United Center has been added, with Bonamassa supporting both nights.
On the opening acts, The Who addressed:
“The Who have confirmed a powerful lineup of special guests set to join them on their final North American run, The Song Is Over Tour. Artists including Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters, Billy Idol, Booker T. Jones, Candlebox, Feist, Joe Bonamassa, The Joe Perry Project (Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Buck Johnson, Chris Robinson, Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz), Tom Cochrane, and ZZ Ward will appear across various stops on the historic farewell tour. Additionally, The Who have added a second night in Chicago, IL — Tuesday, September 9 at United Center — due to incredible fan demand. Joe Bonamassa will support both Chicago dates.”
The tour marks a celebratory farewell for Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, closing out nearly six decades of legendary history. However, the lineup will not include longtime drummer Zak Starkey, who was officially let go over the weekend and replaced by Scott Devours.
On Sunday (18), The Who issued the following statement via social media:
“The Who are heading for retirement, whereas Zak is 20 years younger and has a great future with his new band and other exciting projects. He needs to devote all his energy into making it all a success . We both wish him all the luck in the world. Scott Devours – Who fans will know him from Roger’s solo shows – will be replacing Zak. We hope all our fans will welcome him.”
Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey”
Starkey made his own statement on Instagram, expressing:
“I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical endevours this would be a lie. I love the who and would never had quit. So I didn’t make the statement ….quitting the who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more) thru the weeks of mayhem of me going ‘in an out an in an out an in an out like a bleedin squeezebox x To clarify ‘other projects’ yes I do have other projects and always have. The Who have been sporadic or minimalist in touring most years apart from a two extensive tours in 2000 and 2006/7
To be precise while I was in the who 1996-1999 I had other projects with Johnny Marr, Lightning Seeds and Mike Scott. 2000-2003 Johnny Marr and The Healers opening for oasis in Europe releasing album and 6 month world tour 2004-2008 Oasis 2 studio albums and 120live shows. 2006-2017 Pengu!Ns , Sshh touring internationally. Releasing 3 singles, Kasabian bbc proms 2007 Weller Coxon Starkey Mani.
2015 Hollywood Vampires Roxy LA shows and rock in Rio 2017-2020 Trojan Jamaica record label releasing three albums and winning Grammy for best reggae album 2020. 2020 Peter Green Tribute Concert . As u see there has always been time for other projects … 2022-2025/now mantra of the cosmos with Shaun Ryder Bez Andy Bell and NG. Releasing singles but not touring cos members are so busy. None of this has ever interfered with The Who and was never a problem for them . The lie is or would have been that I quit the who- i didn’t. I love the who and everyone in it.”
Tour Dates
08/16 Sunrise FL @ Amerant Bank Arena – with Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters
08/19 Newark NJ @ Prudential Center – with Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters
08/21 Philadelphia PA @ Wells Fargo Center – with ZZ Ward
08/23 Atlantic City NJ @ Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall – with Booker T. Jones
08/26 Boston MA @ Fenway Park – with The Joe Perry Project
08/28 Wantagh NY @ Northwell at Jones Beach Theater – with Feist
08/30 New York NY @ Madison Square Garden – with Feist
09/02 Toronto ON @ Budweiser Stage – with Tom Cochrane
09/04 Toronto ON @ Budweiser Stage – with Tom Cochrane
09/07 Chicago IL @ United Center – with Joe Bonamassa
09/09 Chicago IL @ United Center – with Joe Bonamassa (new show)
09/17 Los Angeles CA @ Hollywood Bowl – with The Joe Perry Project
09/19 Los Angeles CA @ Hollywood Bowl
09/21 Mountain View CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre – with Candlebox
09/23 Vancouver BC @ Rogers Arena – with Candlebox
09/25 Seattle WA @ Climate Pledge Arena – with Candlebox
09/28 Las Vegas NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena – with Billy Idol
