UPDATE [4/24]: The Who singer Roger Daltrey and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh will also be on hand to perform at the “Celebrating The Who” benefit!
Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder has long been a fan of The Who, and now he’ll get the chance to play their music alongside the band’s founding guitarist, Pete Townshend.
In the middle of The Who Hits 50 tour, which begins next month, Townshend and Vedder will perform at the “Celebrating The Who” benefit for the Teen Cancer America organization (which was founded by Townshend and his Who bandmate, Roger Daltrey). The benefit will be held at the Rosemont Theatre in Chicago, IL, on May 14th, just one day after The Who play at the Allstate Arena in Chicago.
The Who Announce Massive The Who Hits 50 Tour Schedule
Joining Vedder and Townshend will be the majority of The Who’s current touring band, including bassist Pino Palladino, drummer Zak Starkey, guitarist Simon Townshend (Pete’s brother), and keyboardists John Corey, Loren Gold, and Frank Simes. Palladino has been performing with The Who since John Entwistle passed away in 2002, and is well known for work with the John Mayer Trio, D’Angelo & The Vanguard, and Paul Simon. Starkey was the drummer of Oasis, and is perhaps best recognized as the offspring of Ringo Starr (aka Richard Starkey).
Vedder is no stranger to The Who’s material, as the Pearl Jam singer has guested with the legendary rock band on numerous occasions. The following version of “I’m One” was taken from a different Teen Cancer America benefit at the Royal Albert Hall:
And here’s official video of Pearl Jam playing the infamously-titled Who song “Baba O’Riley” at MSG in 2003:
Tickets for “Celebrating The Who” go on sale next Tuesday, April 21st, at 10 AM Eastern via the local box office and Ticketmaster.