The Who

As we reported earlier, fans of the Who and the Kinks‘ Ray Davies were quite disappointed to find out they’d sat through two and a half hours of the pomp that was the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony, only to be denied the chance to watch their heroes perform at the big event.

While the Olympians fight it out to win their gold, silver and bronze, the entertainment world is placing bets on what world famous artists might be featured in the closing ceremony on Sunday (Aug. 12).

It only took 33 years but at long last the remaining ticket holders of the 1979 cancelled Who show have reason to celebrate — they’ve just traded in their tickets in exchange for new ones to the band’s February 2013 show at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I.

It’s not unusual for touring bands to honor tickets from canceled shows at subsequent re-scheduled dates  -  unless, of course, those re-scheduled shows take place more than three decades later.

The 2012 Summer Olympics is all about the sports, but the entertainment portion of the festivities isn’t exactly anything to sneeze at. The Who lead the latest batch of performers that will help celebrate this year’s event.

The film inspired by the Who‘s 1973 album ‘Quadrophenia’ is going to be re-released in the United States this summer. The new, high-def restoration will be available August 28 on DVD and Blu-Ray, and includes new interviews, commentary and behind-the-scenes footage.

One of the most bizarre stories to pass our way in recent history was confirmed on Thursday. Appearing on the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” late night talk show, Who singer Roger Daltrey said that yes, the organizers of the 2012 London Olympics did, in fact, try to get drummer Keith Moon to appear at the Opening Ceremony. Moon died in 1978.

In a deal that reportedly took three years to complete, Pete Townshend has sold all the publishing rights to his entire catalog – approximately 400 songs between the Who and his solo career – to the Spirit Music Group, a firm that specializes in placing songs in commercials, movies and television shows. Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but the arrangement, which was announced last month,

The reissue of the Who‘s rock opera ‘Quadrophenia’ has been guided by the careful hand and direction of guitarist Pete Townshend. The new version is remastered and features Townshend’s demos of each song, as well as extensive liner notes. In a pair of videos, the guitarist shares his methodology behind the reissue.

British film director Ken Russel, best known in the music world for his work on the Who‘s 1975 rock opera ‘Tommy,’ passed away is his sleep Sunday in Lymington, England, following a series of strokes. He was 84.

The Who guitarist Pete Townshend would like to see digital retailer iTunes do more to help artists, especially new artists. During the inaugural John Peel Lecture on Monday night Townshend, as promised, questioned if music could survive the cyber world.

The Who‘s ‘Quadrophenia’ is about to get a whole lot bigger. The double-album rock opera from 1973 will be re-released in November as part of a boxed set compiled by Who guitarist/songwriter Pete Townshend, who says he and singer Roger Daltrey may perform ‘Quadrophenia’ next year on tour.