by Billboard Staff | July 18, 2012 3:00 EDT
The Who Announce 'Quadrophenia' Tour
The Who are heading back on the road after a four-year break and bringing their 1973 rock opera "Quadrophenia" with them. Surviving original members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey announced the tour -- a 36-date romp through North America -- in a web press conference on Wednesday. They'll be playing the classic album in its entirety.
Daltrey described performing with his longtime bandmate as like being in a "war zone... something happens on stage," he said. "Pete drives me. It's rarely dull."
The tour begins a first leg on Nov. 1 in Sunrise, Fla. and runs for six weeks before breaking for the holidays. The trip will resume on Jan. 28 in Anaheim, Calif. and wrap up in Providence, R.I. on Feb. 26.
In the meantime, the band is involved with the finale ceremony for the Olympic Games in London, which run July 27-Aug. 12. "We have recorded a piece of music that is a fabulous ending for the Olympics and just shows the great music that has come out of this country," Daltrey said. "This country has put some fabulous music out into the world."
"Quadrophenia" was also the creative focus of the band's 1996-97 tour, and like then, the group plans on ending each night with a selection of "old chestnuts" -- as Townshend called them -- like "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again."
Since '97, the Who have toured in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008. The live band will again include drummer Zak Starkey (Ringo's son), bassist Pino Palladino and guitarist Simon Townshend (Pete's brother). Keyboardists Chris Stainton and Loren Gold are also on board.
"Quadrophenia" tells the story of Jimmy, a mod from Brighton with four very different personalities or moods. Townshend has long regarded the album -- which includes the classics "The Real Me," "Love, Reign o'er Me" and "5.15" -- among his best work.
General ticket sales for the tour begin July 27, but fan club members will get access on July 20.
"Quadrophenia" Tour 2012 Dates:
Nov. 1: Sunrise, FL (BankAtlantic Center)
Nov. 3: Orlando, FL (Amway Center)
Nov. 5: Duluth, GA (The Arena at Gwinnett Center)
Nov. 8: Greenville, SC (Bi-Lo Center)
Nov. 9: Greensboro, NC (Greensboro Coliseum)
Nov. 11: Pittsburgh, PA (CONSOL Energy Arena)
Nov. 13: Washington, DC (Verizon Center)
Nov. 14: Brooklyn, NY (Barclays Center)
Nov. 16: Boston, MA (TD Garden)
Nov. 20: Montreal, (QC Bell Centre)
Nov. 21: Ottawa, ON (Scotiabank Place)
Nov. 23: Toronto, ON (Air Canada Centre)
Nov. 24: Detroit, MI (Joe Louis Arena)
Nov. 27: Minneapolis, MN (Target Center)
Nov. 29: Chicago, IL (Allstate Arena)
Dec. 2: Nashville, TN (Bridgestone Arena)
Dec. 5: New York, NY (Madison Square Garden)
Dec. 6: Newark, NJ (Prudential Center)
Dec. 8: Philadelphia, PA (Wells Fargo Center)
Dec. 9: Uncasville, CT (Mohegan Sun Arena)
"Quadrophenia" Tour 2013 dates:
Jan. 28: Anaheim, CA (Honda Center)
Jan. 30: Los Angeles, (CA STAPLES Center)
Feb. 1: Oakland, CA (Oracle Arena)
Feb. 2: Reno, NV (Reno Events Center)
Feb. 5: San Diego, CA (Valley View Casino Center)
Feb. 6: Glendale, AZ (Jobing.com Arena)
Feb. 8: Las Vegas, NV (The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino)
Feb. 12: Denver, CO (Pepsi Center)
Feb. 14: Tulsa, OK (BOK Center)
Feb. 16: Louisville, KY (KFC Yum! Arena)
Feb. 17: Columbus, OH (Schottenstein Center)
Feb. 19: Hamilton, ON (Copps Coliseum)
Feb. 21: Uniondale, NY (Nassau Coliseum)
Feb. 22: Atlantic City, NJ (Boardwalk Hall)
Feb. 24: Manchester, NH (Verizon Wireless Arena)
Feb. 26: Providence, RI (Dunkin' Donuts Center
