NEW YORK, NY. (Universal Republic Records) - A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience an entire day behind the scenes/on the road with The Who - including a chance to meet the band and witness one of their sold-out 2007 U.S. shows from VIP seats - is up for bid in a charity auction on eBay. A rock n' roll fantasy come true, the 10 day auction to Spend A Day On The Road With The Who kicked off on October 26, and is taking bids through November 5, ending at 8:00 pm EST, that same day. The lucky high bidder and a guest will be awarded the opportunity to spend one incredible day with the band and its expert road crew – from soundcheck to unforgettable final encore - experiencing the massive Who undertaking and production from an insider's perspective. All proceeds from the winning bid are being donated to the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families, before, during and after medical treatments. The event is being managed on eBay by Auction Cause, www.auctioncause.com, a premier online auction management agency.
Such coveted and unlimited access to one of rock's most legendary and enigmatic bands is made even rarer when you consider it comes on the heels of The Who's first new album of original songs in nearly 25 years, Endless Wire. The new disc is being made available for pre-order at the online auction destination www.ebay/thewho, and will be released nationwide by Universal Republic Records on October 31. The 21 song tome is already drawing media raves, including a four-star/thumbs-up review from The New Post, which hailed the album as a 'Terrific record that reaffirms The Who's relevance in the history of rock and on today's charts.'
The Who auction is predicted to draw rock fans from around the world, electrifying the digital trading world which includes 212 million global eBay community members. 'eBay's endless reach makes them the perfect brand to help spread the word about The Who's new album Endless Wire,' stated Lori Lambert, Senior Vice President of Strategic Alliances for Universal Motown Records Group. 'It's a relationship that not only creates an unbelievable opportunity for passionate Who fans, but exemplifies the band's truly global magnetism as well as furthering the cause of a much deserving charitable organization, the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation.'
Paula Van Ness, CEO of Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation commented: 'Fans who are bidding on this once-in-a-lifetime experience with the band should be pleased to know that their donation will help improve the quality of life of children living with chronic and life-threatening medical conditions, as well as their siblings and parents. We thank The Who and eBay for including us in this truly special auction.'
The winning bidder will also get to take home The Who CD Box set, and receive a personally autographed copy of the much anticipated new CD, Endless Wire. All fans logging on to the special Who auction destination, www.ebay/thewho will also be provided access to experience 2 new songs from the album, 'It's Not Enough,' and 'Tea & Theatre.'
Unprecedented demand for The Who's sold-out 2006 tour recently prompted the group to announce 12 new dates, extending the juggernaut through mid-December, with more U.S. dates to follow in the New Year. The band's current touring lineup includes Zak Starkey, Ringo Starr's son on drums, and Simon Townshend, Pete Townshend's younger brother on guitar, among others.
Fans of the band are also heralding the launch of the group's own Who channel on Sirius Satellite Radio. Launched in mid-September, the new channel has become the epicenter for all things Who, featuring nightly broadcasts of concerts from the tour and material from the band's vast archives.
Few bands have had a more lasting impact on the rock era than The Who. Inducted into the Rock n' roll Hall of Fame in 1990, their incendiary style garnered them one of rock's most loyal fan bases, with the brash foursome bursting onto the scene in the mid-1960's armed with a searing new template for rock, punk and everything after. The Who have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, including ferocious and diverse classics such as the 1969 groundbreaking rock opera Tommy (which won 5 Tony awards for its Broadway adaptation in 1993), 1971's pummeling Live At Leeds, 1973's Quadrophenia, 1978's Who Are You, and their final studio album 1982's It's Hard, their last full length CD of original material before the newly acclaimed Endless Wire, which hits stores on Tuesday, October 31. Most recently, the band was awarded the inaugural Freddie Mercury Achievement In Live Music Award at the 2006 Vodaphone Live Music Awards, held at the legendary Roundhouse In Camden, in London England.
