Rock Report: Townshend Won’t Hurt Himself Touring

The Who are kicking off their 'Quadrophenia tour this week and Pete Townshend says it's the safest thing he could do in terms of stage performance.

Townshend sat down with Rolling Stone to talk about what it's like to tour these days: "What happens is that I hurt myself. I come off, I've got a dodgy knee, or my arm is almost dislocated, because I've swung it too often. But I feel that when I do Quadrophenia, I don't have to do quite so much of the antics. It's more controlled. And I'm never gonna do anything any better than Quadrophenia for a rock band."

Tonight, (October 31st) the Who's new documentary, Quadrophenia: Can You See The Real Me?, will premiere on VH1 Classic. The film gives an in-depth look at the making of -- and tour behind -- the 1973 album, featuring the Who's Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, their manager Bill Curbishley, Quadrophenia engineer Ron Nevison, early Mod "Irish Jack" Lyons, Townshend confidante and biographer Richard Barnes, and rock journalist Howie Edelson, among others.
The special is part of VH1 Classics' "Wholloween" -- a day of celebrating all things Who related, including airings of 1975's Tommy, the 2006 live concert BBC Electric Proms: The Who, 2000's Classic Albums: Who's Next, and the VH1 Classic In Concert: Listening To You: The Who At The Isle Of Wight from 1970. Check your local listings for stations and times.