Pete Townshend Is “Working on Getting Well” for Future Shows With The Who

Pete Townshend is “working on getting well” in the hope of performing with The Who “in the future” after withdrawing from Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival because of continuing health concerns.

The 81 year old guitarist has sustained an injury to his left foot and is also dealing with difficulties involving his balance. Although he made a determined effort to recover before the festival at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on 26 and 27 September, he believes travelling such a long distance from the UK would be unwise right now.

Explaining the decision in a message published on Clapton’s X account, he said: “I’m so sorry to say that due to damage to my left foot, and subsequent issues with my balance, I cannot commit to travel to appear at the upcoming Crossroads Festival in Austin. I so desperately wanted to appear, and have battled to get in shape, and I am improving, but the long flights from London, and the jetlag on my return, would cause backtracking I really can’t afford.”

Townshend has chosen to contribute $50,000 to Clapton’s Crossroads Centre, a facility treating drug addiction near St Philip’s, Antigua. The money will come through his Double O charity, which assists organisations helping people recover from addiction.

He added: “I am making a $50,000 donation to the festival cause from my charity Double O, and one day I hope I can accept Eric’s invitation to appear with him. He has now asked me several times. There has always been some issue, in this case it is my recovery from my knee replacement in February of 2025, and some complications.

“I want to especially thank Derek Trucks and Susie Tedeschi for their offer to support me as my backing band. Wow! That is something I can only dream about, and maybe one day it will happen.

“Meanwhile I will keep working on getting well so I can work with Roger and The Who in future.”

A message accompanying the update read: “We love you @PeteTownshend_, feel better and we are so appreciative of your donation (sic)."

Although The Who staged what were billed as their final concerts in 2025, recent remarks suggest their career may not be finished.

While discussing his agreement with Primary Wave Music in May, Townshend offered another clue about future plans: “Then there is Roger [Daltrey] and all my friends and colleagues in and around The Who. We are always trying to come up with SOMETHING special, and God Willing will continue to do that, hoping one day we can astound you the way we used to."