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U.K. postal service the Royal Mail will issue a series of Who-themed stamps celebrating the legendary rockers’ 60th anniversary. The collection, which will be released on October 17, is comprised of 12 postage stamps. Eight of the stamps feature images of some of the band’s album covers. Two others boast publicity photos of the group, and another two offer pics of the rock legends performing live.
The eight albums depicted on the stamps are The Who’s 1965 debut, My Generation; the classic 1969 rock opera Tommy; Who’s Next (1971); Quadrophenia (1973); Who Are You (1978); Face Dances (1981); Endless Wire (2006); and WHO (2019).
[RELATED: Pete Townshend on Another Tour by the Who: “Are We Just Hoping To Do What Bob Dylan Does”]
The live performance photos were captured at Who shows that took place in 1967 at the Marquee Club in London and 1973 at the Kings Hall in Manchester, U.K.
The stamps can be pre-ordered now.
A variety of collectible bundles, sets, books, and sheets featuring the stamps in various configurations can be purchased.
The most expensive of these is the limited-edition Platinum Stamp Set. It’s priced at 149.99 pounds (about $262.50). The set features the eight album-cover stamps housed in a protective capsule and displayed in a specially designed box. Only 1,964 of the sets will be available, in a nod to the year of The Who’s formation.
The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend Comment on the Stamps
The Who’s two surviving members, singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist/songwriter Pete Townshend, have shared brief statements reacting to the new collection of commemorative stamps.
“The artwork on the album sleeves was almost as important to the success of the record as the music,” Daltrey said. “It’s great to be reminded of them.”
Added Townshend, “Stamp! Stamp! Stamp! It’s what I’ve done on stage all my life, sometimes in the air. At last my stamping, and that of my buddy Roger, has been honoured properly, and will help letters, parcels and birthday cards travel through time and space, just as we have.”
Royal Mail executive David Gold also commented about the famous band and the new collection of stamps.
“With their truly original sound and effortless ability to mix musical styles, The Who are rock royalty,” Gold said. “These stamps celebrate one of the UK’s much-loved and revered musical bands who have achieved global popularity for six decades.”
Other British Bands Honored with Stamps by the Royal Mail
The Who become the seventh U.K. music group honored by the Royal Mail with commemorative stamps. The previous bands were The Beatles in 2007, Pink Floyd in 2016, Queen in 2020, The Rolling Stones in 2022, Iron Maiden in 2023; and The Spice Girls in 2024.
