Simon Townshend
Guitar, Mandolin, Backing Vocals
Simon Townshend is straight from the lineage of one of British music’s most famous families, a familiar name but with an original sound. The son of England’s top big-band reed man and baby brother of Who legend Pete Townshend, Simon has been recording and performing since the age of nine, when he was recruited to add vocals to The Who classic Tommy. On his own Stir Music Label, Simon has released eight well-received solo CDs and one with the band Casbah Club (featuring Bruce Foxton/The Jam & Mark Brzezicki/Big Country). In 2014, Simon released his recent album Denial, containing some of his most personal and inspirational work to date. In addition to his own music, Simon has been guitarist and vocalist in The Who since 1996, playing sold out tours around the world, including monumental performances at the 2010 Super Bowl and the closing ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics. He was referred to by one U.S. newspaper as The Who’s “secret weapon.”ZAK STARKEY
Drums
Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr, is the rightful heir to the drum stool of his godfather Keith Moon who Zak knew when growing up as ‘Uncle Keith’. Zak’s father only ever gave him one drum lesson in his life in an attempt to discourage his son from a career in rock’n’roll but it was Zak’s Uncle Keith who bought him his first drum kit at the age of eight. By ten Zak was teaching himself to play the drums and by the age of twelve he was playing in pubs in a band called The Next. Gigs then followed with the Spencer Davis Band, The Icicle Works, Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band and recording with The Who’s John Entwistle on his solo album The Rock. By the mid-90s Zak had started playing for Roger Daltrey on his Daltrey Sings Townshend Tour followed in 1996 by drumming for The Who on their Quadrophenia Tour. In 2004 Zak was in the drum seat for Oasis – not taking up a permanent position with the band even though he was invited to. He has recorded with Johnny Marr, The Lightning Seeds, The Hollywood Vampires, Joe Perry, Paul Weller and Graham Coxon and on both Don’t Believe The Truth and Dig Out Your Soul albums for Oasis. Following The Who’s tour of 2007/8 Zak has become the ‘unofficial’ official drummer for the band, performing with them at the 2010 Super Bowl XLIV in Miami, FL, the 2012 Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games, the 2013 Quadrophenia & More tour, The Who Hits 50! tour and The Who 2017 tour of North and South America. And when he’s not touring with The Who he’s playing guitar in his own band SSHH.FRANK SIMES
Musical Director, keyboards, backing vocals & assorted instruments
Frank Simes is a Grammy-nominated and platinum record-awarded musician, guitarist, songwriter, composer, and record producer. Frank is Musical Director and keyboardist for the Who, as well as Musical Director and lead guitarist for Roger Daltrey and Don Felder. Born in Tokyo as a US citizen, Frank began studying guitar at age 10. His professional career began at 14 when his band, Sunrise, which he formed with Mickie Yoshino and Steve Fox, released a record on RCA Victor. The following year he moved to Los Angeles to study music at Fairfax High School. Simes has recorded and performed with legendary artists including Mick Jagger, Don Henley, Stevie Nicks, Roger Waters, Rod Stewart and Roger Daltrey. In 2012 he began working with The Who as their Musical Director and toured with them in 2013 on their Quadrophenia & More tour and more recently on The Who 2017 tour of North and South America.LOREN GOLD
Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Loren Gold is a Los Angeles-based keyboard player, music director, and songwriter. Raised in Palo Alto, California, he has toured extensively since 2000 with various recording artists. Gold has been the touring keyboardist and vocalist for Roger Daltrey since 2009, and in 2012 began touring with The Who. In addition to The Who, Loren continues to work with Roger Daltrey, and Kenny Loggins, and serves as Musical Director and consultant for younger artists such as Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. Other artists include: Natalie Maines, Mandy Moore, Melissa Etheridge, American Idol, Jordin Sparks (Consultant), Taylor Hicks (Musical Director), Demi Lovato (Musical Director), Selena Gomez (Musical Director), Hilary Duff (Musical Director). Film and TV work include HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, Melrose Place, Beverly Hills 90210. Live TV: The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Oprah, Ellen, The Late Show, MTV, Early Show, Martha Stewart, Dr Phil, Carson Daly, American Music Awards, Billboard AwardsJOHN COREY
Keyboards, Backing Vocals
John Corey played piano and organ on The Who’s 2012/13 Quadrophenia & More tour. John has played keyboards and/or guitar for many artists including The Eagles, Don Henley, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Eddie Money, Jude Cole and Randy Meisner. He has also enjoyed success as a songwriter. He sang and played keyboards and guitar on The Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over DVD, and toured extensively with them for seven years. Corey’s first experience with The Eagles was when he contributed to Randy Meisner’s self-titled solo album in 1981, as Musical Director, guitarist, and songwriter. In 1989, he was very involved with Don Henley’s album, The End of the Innocence, acting not only as a musician but also as a producer, and co-wrote two of the songs with Henley, most notably, ‘The Last Worthless Evening,’ which made it into the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Having played guitar with Don since 1985, he began his role of Musical Director on the tour for that album. John co-wrote and recorded several songs with Henley, over the years, his favorite being, ‘Annabel,’ which appeared on the Inside Job album. In the early 80’s, John played guitar and keyboards in Silver Condor with Earl Slick and Joe Cerisano. They made their only Billboard Hot 100 appearance with the Solid Gold Hit, ‘You Could Take My Heart Away,’ which was written by John.JON BUTTON
Bass
Jon Button grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska playing bass with the school orchestra starting in 3rd grade and joining the jazz band in 7th grade. He studied Jazz performance at University of North Texas, then moved to Los Angeles is 1994. Since then Jon has toured with many major artists including Roger Daltrey, Sheryl Crow, Robben Ford and Shakira. He also has played on recording sessions for albums from artists such as James Blunt, Shelby Lynn, and American Idol winner Caleb Johnson, as well as major movies and television shows including the Emmy winning score for the Batman and Beyond animated series.