As The Who launched their much-anticipated farewell tour, The Song Is Over, on August 18 in Sunrise, Florida, frontman Roger Daltrey offered fans something more than just a performance — he gave them a deeply emotional goodbye.
At the second stop of the tour in Newark, New Jersey, Daltrey made a touching change to the lyrics of the band’s 1971 classic “The Song Is Over.” Originally:
“The song is over / I’m left with only tears / I must remember / Even if it takes a million years”
Daltrey instead sang: “The song is over / Thanks for all the years / I’ll always remember / Even if I live for a million years”
The revised lyrics were subtle, but their message was clear — a sincere thank you to the generations of fans who have stood by The Who across decades of music, change, and legacy. The crowd responded with powerful emotion, recognizing the significance of the moment.
The farewell tour will take the band to 16 cities across North America, including stops in Boston, New York City, Toronto, and Los Angeles, before concluding in Las Vegas on September 28. Earlier this summer, The Who played two shows in Milan, Italy. However, no additional European or U.K. dates have been announced — and none are guaranteed.
During a live-streamed press event in May, Daltrey acknowledged the physical and logistical difficulties of touring at this stage in their careers.
“Let’s see if we can survive this one,” he joked. “Touring America is a damn sight easier than touring the U.K.… I don’t want to say there will be more shows, but I’m not confident in saying there will be. That’s the honest answer.”
Though the name of the tour hints at finality, the door hasn’t been completely closed. Still, both Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend have been candid about where they stand. Townshend, in particular, has expressed waning enthusiasm for performing.
“I don’t get much of a buzz from performing with The Who,” Townshend told The New York Times in 2024. “If I’m really honest, I’ve been touring for the money. My idea of an ordinary lifestyle is pretty elevated.”
Even so, for fans around the world, this tour may be the last opportunity to see Daltrey and Townshend share the stage — a final chance to witness the iconic energy and sound of a band that helped shape the very foundation of rock music.
Whether or not this marks the definitive end, one thing is clear: Roger Daltrey and The Who are taking their final bow with grace, gratitude, and a whole lot of heart.
