The Who Tour 1996–1997
| Tour by The Who | |
| Associated album | Quadrophenia |
|---|---|
| Start date | 29 June 1996 |
| End date | 16 August 1997 |
| Legs | 7 |
| No. of shows | 72 |
| The Who concert chronology | |
The Who Tour 1996–1997 was The Who's second tour promoting their 1973 album, Quadrophenia, and their first tour since 1989.
Having worked on the remastering of Quadrophenia in 1996, Pete Townshend was inspired to finally perform the complete rock opera as he had always hoped to hear it played, with a full band including a horn section, keyboards, and backing vocals. Initially agreeing to perform as a solo artist at a special charity event for The Prince's Trust on 29 June in Hyde Park, London, Townshend ultimately requested his former bandmates Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle join for the performance, the first time they had played a show together since 1989. With Townshend playing only acoustic guitar, supporting musicians included longtime keyboardist John "Rabbit" Bundrick, Townshend's brother Simon on rhythm and lead guitar, and drummer Zak Starkey (son of Beatle Ringo Starr and a one-time friend of Keith Moon). The group were also joined by veteran British rock sideman Geoff Whitehorn on lead guitar and keyboardist Jon Carin, who had toured with Pink Floyd in their post-Roger Waters incarnation and worked with Townshend on some solo appearances in April–May 1996; a five-piece horn section, backup singers, and percussionist Jody Linscott rounded out the band. The Hyde Park show also featured special guest David Gilmour, who sang and played lead guitar on "The Dirty Jobs" and played lead guitar on "Love, Reign o'er Me". Meanwhile, Phil Daniels, who had portrayed the lead character Jimmy in the film version of the rock opera, served as narrator for the show, while various actors and singers played other parts in the story. Among these was Gary Glitter in the role of the Godfather...and who inadvertently struck Daltrey in the eye with a microphone stand during rehearsals, forcing the frontman to wear an eyepatch (fittingly adorned with a mod-inspired target logo) during the show. Although Townshend later spoke unfavorably about the Hyde Park performance, it was successful enough to encourage the band to do a run of six shows at New York City's Madison Square Garden in July, billed under the three Who members' individual names instead of as The Who. These dates featured the same basic line-up (minus Gilmour), with the notable addition of Billy Idol portraying the Ace Face. In addition to the main attraction of Quadrophenia, an encore each night included familiar songs such as "Behind Blue Eyes", "Naked Eye", and a stripped-down, acoustic version of "Won't Get Fooled Again" performed only by Townshend, Daltrey, and Entwistle. There was a live radio broadcast of the July 18th show.
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