The Who Taking Part in Special on 1979 Cincinnati Concert Tragedy
Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey are taking part in a local news special about the tragic December 3, 1979 Who concert in Cincinnati that resulted in the deaths of 11 people.
WVXU reports that local ABC-TV affiliate WCPO will be airing an hour-long special on the 40th anniversary of the tragedy that’s hosted by WCPO anchor Tanya O’Rourke who knew three of the people who lost their lives in a stampede caused by general admission seating at the then Riverfront Coliseum.
O’Rourke interviewed both Townshend and Daltrey for the special, and she said, “While they didn’t do anything wrong, they’ve carried this with them all their lives. Eleven people died who came to see them play. It was not their fault. That’s a heavy burden.”
Townshend told O’Rourke, “You know, I’m still traumatized by it. It’s a weird thing to have in your autobiography that, you know, 11 kids died at one of your concerts. It’s a strange, disturbing heavy load to carry.”
In addition to airing on television, the special will also air live on December 3 at 8 PM on WCPO.com.
The Who at Madison Square Garden – 9/1/2019
