Ukraine’s Eurovision Winners Kalush Orchestra Launch Fundraiser for Azov Fighters

In this file photo taken on May 14, 2022 members of the band Kalush Orchestra, representing Ukraine, arrive onstage during the presentation of participating finalists, during the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2022 at the Pala Alpitour venue in Turin. (AFP)
In this file photo taken on May 14, 2022 members of the band Kalush Orchestra, representing Ukraine, arrive onstage during the presentation of participating finalists, during the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2022 at the Pala Alpitour venue in Turin. (AFP)
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Ukraine’s Eurovision Winners Kalush Orchestra Launch Fundraiser for Azov Fighters

In this file photo taken on May 14, 2022 members of the band Kalush Orchestra, representing Ukraine, arrive onstage during the presentation of participating finalists, during the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2022 at the Pala Alpitour venue in Turin. (AFP)
In this file photo taken on May 14, 2022 members of the band Kalush Orchestra, representing Ukraine, arrive onstage during the presentation of participating finalists, during the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2022 at the Pala Alpitour venue in Turin. (AFP)

The Ukrainian winners of this year's Eurovision Song Contest on Wednesday launched a 24-hour fundraiser on behalf of soldiers who defended a besieged steel plant, as the country marked 31 years of independence and six months of war.

In a video posted on Instagram, Kalush Orchestra called on Ukrainians to donate 24 hryvnia (65 cents) each over 24 hours for those who fought on the frontlines at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.

"We are opening donations for wounded fighters from Azovstal," the band said.

"This money will help our heroes become healthy and strong again," the group added in a caption translated into English, also congratulating Ukrainians on the country's Independence Day.

Mariupol was under siege for months. Fighters from the Azov Regiment, a unit of the national guard, fought for weeks from bunkers and tunnels below the steelworks before many surrendered in May.

Kalush Orchestra won Eurovision with "Stefania" the same month, later raising $900,000 for the Ukrainian military by selling their trophy.



‘All Good Things Must Come to an End’: The Who Will Perform One Last Time in North America

 Pete Townshend poses for photographers during the announcement of "The Who: The Song Is Over, The North American Farewell Tour" on Thursday, May 9, 2025, in London. (AP)
Pete Townshend poses for photographers during the announcement of "The Who: The Song Is Over, The North American Farewell Tour" on Thursday, May 9, 2025, in London. (AP)
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‘All Good Things Must Come to an End’: The Who Will Perform One Last Time in North America

 Pete Townshend poses for photographers during the announcement of "The Who: The Song Is Over, The North American Farewell Tour" on Thursday, May 9, 2025, in London. (AP)
Pete Townshend poses for photographers during the announcement of "The Who: The Song Is Over, The North American Farewell Tour" on Thursday, May 9, 2025, in London. (AP)

British rock band The Who are to say their final goodbye to North America this summer.

Singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend confirmed Thursday that they will perform hits from six-decade career during "The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour," named after the band’s 1971 hit.

The band, which by the 1970s had become one of the world’s biggest touring bands, easily filling the largest US stadiums, will play their first gig in Florida on Aug. 16, with further dates in cities including New York, Toronto, Los Angeles and Vancouver, before a final date in Las Vegas on Sept. 28.

"Every musician’s dream in the early '60s was to make it big in the US charts," Daltrey said. "For The Who, that dream came true in 1967 and our lives were changed forever."

The band went from performing club shows to headlining the Woodstock festival in the US and becoming one of the biggest box-office draw in the world. The band were inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990.

Daltrey, 81, and Townshend, two years his junior, have been one of rock's most prolific double acts, surviving the deaths of drummer Keith Moon in 1978 and bass guitarist John Entwistle in 2002.

"Today, Roger and I still carry the banner for the late Keith Moon and John Entwistle, and, of course, all of our long-time Who fans," Townshend said. "I must say that although the road has not always been enjoyable for me, it is usually easy: the best job I could ever have had. I keep coming back."

Though Daltrey didn’t write songs, he was able to channel Townsend’s many and complicated moods — defiance and rage, vulnerability and desperation.

Together, they forged some of rock’s most defining sounds: the stuttering, sneering delivery of "My Generation," the anguished cry of "They’re all wasted!" from "Baba O’Reilly," and the all-time scream from "Won’t Get Fooled Again." Two of their albums "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia" were also adapted into successful films in 1975 and 1979, respectively.

Pre-sales will run from May 13 ahead of the general sale beginning May 16.

"Well, all good things must come to an end. It is a poignant time," Townshend said. "For me, playing to American audiences and those in Canada has always been incredible."

Daltrey, who said a throat specialist has told him he should have a "day off" after every gig he performs, and Townshend also revealed there are no plans at the moment for a farewell tour of the UK.

"Let’s see if we survive this one," Daltrey said. "I don’t want to say that there won’t be (a UK farewell tour), but equally I’m not confident in saying there will be."