New Royal Mail stamps celebrate 60 years of The Who

A special set of stamps is being released to celebrate the 60th anniversary of veteran rock band The Who.

Royal Mail has revealed details of 12 stamps, which feature images of some of The Who’s most popular album covers and group photos from some of their live performances.

Album covers include 1965’s My Generation; Tommy from 1969; Who’s Next from 1971; Quadrophenia since 1973; Who Are You from 1978; Face Dances from 1981; The Endless Wire from 2006; and Who from 2019

The thumbnail sheet includes two publicity photos of the group and two photos of the band performing live at the Marquee Club in London in 1967 and the Kings Hall at Belle Vue in Manchester in 1973.

Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon formed The Who in 1964.

Within five years, they went from club performances to starring at the Woodstock festival in the USA and became the biggest box office attraction in the world.

Daltrey said: “The album cover art was almost as important to the album’s success as the music. It’s great to remember them.”

Townshend said: “Stamp! Stamp! Stamp! This is what I’ve done all my life on stage, sometimes in the air. Finally, mine and my buddy Roger’s stamp have been properly honored and will help letters, parcels and birthday cards travel through time and space just like we do.”

David Gold, Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy, said: “With a truly original sound and effortless ability to blend musical styles, The Who are the kings of rock. These stamps commemorate one of the much loved and respected British music bands that have been gaining worldwide popularity for sixty years.