Pete Townshend Withdraws From Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival Due To Injury

Pete Townshend pulled out of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival due to complications related to his recovery from knee replacement surgery. Townshend was scheduled to make his debut at the event, which will be held September 26 and 27 at Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

The Who guitarist explained in a statement that damage to his left foot and subsequent balance issues will prevent him from making the trip from London to Austin. Townshend said he had “battled to get in shape” for the appearance and is improving, but feared the long flights and jet lag could set back his recovery.

I’m so sorry to say that due to damage to my left foot, and subsequent issues with my balance, I cannot commit to travel to appear at the upcoming Crossroads Festival in Austin.

I so desperately wanted to appear, and have battled to get in shape, and I am improving, but the long flights from London, and the jetlag on my return, would cause backtracking I really can’t afford.

Townshend added that he will donate $50,000 through his Double O charity to the Crossroads Centre Antigua, the addiction treatment facility Clapton founded in 1998. The guitarist also revealed that Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi had offered to back him at the festival.

“One day I hope I can accept Eric’s invitation to appear with him,” Townshend stated. “He has now asked me several times.” Townshend famously organized Clapton’s historic 1973 Rainbow Concert in London, which helped bring Clapton back to the stage following a period of seclusion and heroin addiction.

Clapton will perform on both nights of the seventh Crossroads Guitar Festival. Trey Anastasio, Tommy Emmanuel and Julian Lage remain among those slated to make their Crossroads debuts. John Mayer, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Billy F Gibbons, Joe Bonamassa, Del McCoury Band, Sierra Hull, Marcus King, Taj Mahal and Robert Randolph are among the other artists on the lineup.

Townshend’s injury comes as questions about The Who’s future have resurfaced. Roger Daltrey recently revealed that the band rehearsed with longtime drummer Zak Starkey, who was fired, rehired and then dismissed again last year before The Who’s farewell North American tour. Starkey subsequently confirmed his return and said he was “lookin’ forward to tearin’ it up with The Who again.” No new Who performances have been announced.