The Who’s first new songs since the 1982 album “It’s Hard” will be included on an upcoming best-of collection, Billboard.com has learned. Due March 30 via Geffen, “Then and Now! 1964-2004” will feature the new tracks “Real Good Looking Boy” and “Old Red Wine,” alongside 18 of the legendary British rock act’s familiar hits.
In November, guitarist Pete Townshend wrote on his official Web site that he and vocalist Roger Daltrey recorded “Real Good Looking Boy” with assistance from drummer Zak Starkey, keyboardist John “Rabbit” Bundrick, bassist Greg Lake and Townshend’s brother Simon. No details are known about “Old Red Wine.”
Now the group’s lone surviving original members, Townshend and Daltrey have been working in earnest on new material since the summer 2002 death of bassist John Entwistle.
“Then and Now” will originally intended to be issued the same day as a DVD-Audio edition of the group’s 1969 rock opera “Tommy,” but that album has been pushed back to April 27. As previously reported, the Who will play “Tommy” live March 29 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, as part of a benefit concert series for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The group is also confirmed to play March 22 and 24-25 at the London Forum and to co-headline the U.K.’s Isle of Wight Festival in June.
Source billboard.com.
