The Who’s “Tommy” is taking to the Road

Roger is taking it out but where’s Pete?

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – “The Who” frontman Roger Daltrey is taking the British band’s 1969 rock opera “Tommy” on a six-week North American tour beginning in September, concert promoters said on Thursday.

Daltrey, 67, will perform the album in its entirety, using visuals to accompany classic songs like “Pinball Wizard,” “See Me, Feel Me” and “The Acid Queen.”

His bandmate Pete Townshend, who wrote the music and lyrics to the tale of the “deaf, dumb and blind boy” who becomes a messiah, has given Daltrey his blessing but will not be taking part.

“I will be there in spirit. Roger has my complete and most loving support,” Townshend said in a statement.

The tour of the United States and Canada kicks off in Hollywood, Fla., on September 13 and follows Daltrey’s performance of the album in London in March.

“Tommy” is considered the first rock opera, and was turned into a movie, in which Daltrey played the title role, and a Tony Award-winning stage show.

The double album has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110512/music_nm/us_tommy