Pete Townshend has revealed that his tinnitus has returned and that the future of the Who is in serious jeopardy.
Townshend's tinnitus was originally caused from years of overexposure to loud music and now causes a painful ringing sensation in his ears. The condition makes it impossible for him to perform and has prevented him from going on tour in the past.
"If my hearing is going to be a problem, we're not delaying shows, we're finished," the 64-year-old guitarist admitted to Rolling Stone. "I can't really see any way around the issue."
There remains one possible alternative that Townshend will try at an upcoming show for the Teenage Cancer Trust at London's Royal Albert Hall. At the show, Townshend will be testing a new in-ear monitoring system to see if it helps protect his ears from the noise.
According to Spinner, the idea was suggested to him by Neil Young.
The benefit concert at Royal Albert Hall is scheduled for March 30. The Who will be playing their 1973 album, Quadrophenia, in full for the show.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.