'Who' Fans Not Rushing to Bid Bye-Bye

By Walter Berry

The Associated Press

TEMPE — Tomorrow night's concert here by The Who is supposed to be the final Phoenix-area appearance by the British band, which is in the midst of a farewell tour of the United States.

But apparently, some local rock 'n roll aficionados don't think this is the last "Who-rah" and, to borrow one of the group's famous lines, the fans "won't get fooled again."

As of yesterday, 35,000 tickets remained unsold for the "Who-loween" show here at Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium, which can accommodate 76,000 people in the stands and on the field facing the stage.

Promoter Barry Fey of the Denver-based Feyline Productions said 41,000 tickets have been sold, and that 55,000 fans are expected.

"We're set up for 62,000," Fey said. "Even at 55 (thousand), it'll be the third-largest crowd of the tour so far."

But barring a last-minute rush, it may be one of the few non-sellouts on The Who tour, which began 20 cities ago in Largo, Md., Sept. 22.

The Who last played America two years ago, and its concert at University Activity Center here was marred by 1½-hour power blackout caused by a severe electrical storm.

Still, the concert was sold out, as were the band's only other Phoenix appearances, at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in 1969, 1971 and 1976.

Promoters say that for Sunday's show, the $17.75 ticket price is reasonable, the 6 p.m. starting time appears right, and the warm-up groups of Loverboy and John Cougar are two of the best acts available.

Fey attributes the slow ticket sales to the economy and the fact that in the past 28 days, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel, REO Speedwagon, George Thorogood, Eddie Money and Kenny Loggins have all appeared in the Phoenix area.

But another Phoenix-area promoter, who requested anonymity, said: "It seems like the only reason people are staying away is that they don't believe this really is the last time they'll see The Who. People just aren't buying the hype."

Kenny Jones, who joined the band after drummer Keith Moon died of an apparent drug overdose in September 1978 at age 31, said, "This really doesn't feel like a farewell tour. I find it all very amusing."

However, the tour may well spell the end for at least one original member of the band.

Peter Townshend, the group's guitarist and main songwriter, said, "It's time for us to step aside, time for new people to come in. This is the end. The Who will cease to exist."

Lead singer Roger Daltrey, though, said the group will soon exist only as a studio unit except for an occasional special-event performance.

"Well, they can do it. I won't be there," said John Entwistle, the band's bassist since the group was formed in 1964. "You just can't do occasional gigs. You end up too rusty. It takes 10 concerts just to get to our proper pitch."

Entwistle, 37, said he will continue to pursue his solo career, as will the 34-year-old Jones.

"I tend to get tired sitting around and waiting, so I made a promise that I'm not going to wait," Entwistle said in a recent interview. "Both myself and Kenny will get into something else — together or apart."

"I'm sorry to hear John say that," Daltrey said. "I hope he changes his mind because I think the best is ahead of us."

Townshend, 37, who reportedly was hospitalized last winter for alcoholism and heroin addiction, has tested the solo waters with some success, while Daltrey, also 37, has acted in several films.

"I think we have yet to put out the definitive Who album," Daltrey said. "Everybody thought 'Who's Next' was it. I think we can top that."