The Who Kicks Off THE WHO HITS 50! TOUR This Saturday at Joe Louis Arena

As they prepare to re-launch the North American leg of "The Who Hits 50! Tour" Saturday, February 27 at Joe Louis Arena, The Who returned to the stage Saturday, February 13 at SSE Arena, Wembley for their first show since the tour was postponed in September (2015). That performance was described by The Telegraph (U.K.) as "high-voltage virtuosity...The Who were in full flight...America's in for a treat. As these grizzled septuagenarians milked the ovation for their feats of rockin' physicality like punch-drunk boxers, there were no hard-and-fast goodbyes" (2-14).

When The Who take the stage in Detroit, it will mark the beginning of a 28-date tour of rescheduled dates from The Who's 2015 trek--which was postponed to allow lead singer Roger Daltrey time to recover from his recent bout with viral meningitis. Tickets for the originally scheduled October 17 show will be honored at the February 27 performance. For the tour openers, the band has announced Tal Wilkenfeld to open the 7:30 p.m. show.

Tickets ($39.50, $59.50, $89.50 and $139.50) are on sale now and can be purchased at OlympiaEntertainment.com, The Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices, Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (without service charge) at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000. For additional information, call (313) 471-6611. VIP packages are available at www.thewho.com. Citi is the official credit card of "The Who Hits 50! Tour" and cardmembers will have access to purchase tickets through Citi's Private Pass Program. For details visit www.citiprivatepass.com. "The Who Hits 50! Tour" is being presented by AEG Live.

Australian-born, LA-based Tal Wilkenfeld (www.talwilkenfeld.com) is a musical marvel; the female bassist is a dynamic young talent with a fresh vision. Tal has made quite a name for herself as a sought-after bassist since emerging onto the music scene as a teenager. After releasing her acclaimed, instrumental jazz debut, Transformation, Tal went on to tour with Chick Corea and Jeff Beck. Her performance at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Festival in Chicago has generated more than 10 million+ YouTube plays to date. She has recorded studio projects with some of today's most respected and iconic artists in the industry such as: Prince, Ryan Adams, Ringo Starr, Brian Wilson, Jackson Browne, Joe Walsh, Toto, Todd Rundgren and Trevor Rabin. She has also performed live with Sting, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler, Buddy Guy, David Gilmour and Billy Gibbons--which led to her role anchoring Pharrell and Hanz Zimmer on the 2015 GRAMMY Awards. Tal has also appeared on major TV network A&E performing with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.

The Who have sold over 100 million records since forming in 1964; they brought together four different personalities and in effect produced a musical hurricane. Each of them was a pioneer. Wildman drummer Keith Moon beat his kit with a chaotic elegance; stoic bassist John Entwistle held down the center with the melodic virtuosity of a solo guitarist; raging intellectual Pete Townshend punctuated the epic universality of his songs with the windmill slamming of his fingers across his guitar strings; and Roger Daltrey roared above it all with an impossibly virile macho swagger. They exploded conventional rhythm and blues structures, challenged pop music conventions, and redefined what was possible on stage, in the recording studio, and on vinyl. Deep into their 50th year, the band is still going strong, winning rave reviews.

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